This is also known as Post Study Work Visa (PSW)
From 1 July 2021, international students who have graduated successfully with a bachelor or postgraduate degree in the UK can apply to remain and work full time to gain work experience for 2 years or seek sponsored jobs in the UK after graduation. Ph.D. graduates will have up to 3 years.
Eligibility
You can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:
- you’re in the UK
- your current visa is a student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- you studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- your education provider (such as your university or college) has told you you’ve successfully completed your course
- Students who had part of their study outside UK can read up the guidelines on requirements to apply for the graduate route visa on the the UK government’s Covid-19 student visa concessions web page.
PSW Visa Duration
- This will last for 2 years while PHD or other doctoral qualification, is 3 years.
- Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.
Extending the Graduate Route Visa
- This visa cannot be extended rather you can apply for another visa route if you are eligible like the, Skilled Worker visa or Health and Care Worker visa instead etc.
- Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
When to apply
- You must apply before your student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
- You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) with a track record of compliance has told you that you’ve successfully completed the course you took with your student or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
- You do not have to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate.
Application
- The Graduate Route will necessitate a fresh visa application, that will only be submitted from within the United Kingdom.
- You have to apply online
- As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
Decision
- Decision can be received within 8 weeks upon your online application submission, proved your ID and supplied your documents.
- Your application may take longer if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
- You can stay in the UK while you wait for a decision.
PWS visa rights
- With a Graduate visa you can: work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed, continue living in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible, do voluntary work, travel abroad and return to the UK
- You cannot: apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension work as a professional sportsperson.
- The full list of Dos and Don’ts will be on the visa if successful.
Studying with a Graduate visa
- You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a student visa. If your course is eligible for a student visa, you can extend your student visa instead.
- You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics.
- Your dependant may study with this visa, but considerations should be made with regards to study impact when Graduate visa expires, he/she may have to go back to your country to apply or extend to a student visa.
Sources:
British Council
Gov.UK