You will need to apply for a work permit or a post-study work visa if you intend to stay and work in the UK after completing your academic program. More than 300,000 students were given graduation visas in 2024, allowing them to remain and work in the UK for a predetermined amount of time.
As an International student, you have a fantastic opportunity to study, work, and live by accepting a position in your field of interest after graduation through the Post Study Work Visa UK (PSWV).
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In this article, we will look at strategies to get a UK post-study work visa and go through further information on its eligibility and entry requirements.
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What is the UK Post-Study Work Visa?
A post-study work visa UK (Graduate Visa or Graduate Route Visa) permits you to remain and look for employment in the UK for a minimum of two years following the completion of your bachelor’s or master’s degree. Doctorate students or graduates may remain for a maximum of three years.
International graduates who are enrolled in an institution that has been approved by the UK Higher Education Provider are eligible to use the Graduate Route.
2025 Updates to the UK Post-Study Work Visa
On July 1, 2021, the UK government opened the Graduate Immigration Route to international students. Since this is a new form of visa, you should be aware of all the changes before applying.
The most recent information about the 2024 PSW visa is.
#1. Restriction on Switching Visas:
Except for PhD and research program students, students will not be able to transfer to most work visas (such as the skilled worker visa) until they have completed their degree-level coursework as of January 1, 2024.
#2. Rights of Dependents:
Under the new regulations, dependents may only be brought to the UK by postgraduate research students (such as PhD graduates) as of January 1, 2024.
While still allowing international students to find employment in the UK after graduation, these reforms represent a move towards more stringent immigration control.
How long does the UK Post-Study Work Visa last?
Graduates with a PSW visa are permitted to remain in the UK for:
two years following the completion of a master’s or undergraduate degree.
three years after earning a PhD.
Once you have a job, you can apply for a visa or permission to stay longer.
Who Is Eligible for the Post-Study Work Visa UK
The post-study work visa UK allows graduates to gain valuable work experience and enhance their career prospects. To be eligible for a graduate visa in the UK, you must meet the following criteria:
When you apply, you have to be in the United Kingdom.
You need to have a Tier 4 (General) student visa or a valid student visa right now.
With your student visa, you have to have completed a minimum amount of time studying for a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or other qualifying course in the UK.
Your degree must have been earned from a qualifying institution—a UK Home Office-approved higher education provider.
You had to have studied in the UK for at least:
If your course lasted longer than 12 months, then at least 12 months.
The full length of your course, if it is less than a year.
The following criteria also affect eligibility:
The institution offering the course such as the college or university where the course was completed.
What kind of course are you taking?
How long has the person been studying in the UK?
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When to Start Applying for a UK Post-Study Work Visa?
Once your college or university has notified the Home Office of your final academic results, you can apply for a post-study work visa in the UK. Results for bachelor’s degrees are often available in August, while those for master’s degrees are typically accessible in November or December.
Verify that you fulfill the following requirements:
You must have finished a qualifying course at an accredited university in the United Kingdom.
When you apply, you must be in the United Kingdom.
You have to apply before the expiration of your current Tier 4 or student visa.
UK Post Study Work Visa: Application Process
The UK Post-Study Work Visa application procedure and the application process for a student visa in the UK is somewhat comparable. Your application must be submitted online via the official website of the UK government. Your dependents, such as spouses and kids, are eligible to apply separately and pay the necessary fees.
To ensure a successful application, you must, however, acquire all necessary documents before submitting.
What Documents Do You Need for a UK Post-Study Work Visa?
The list of documents you must submit to ensure a seamless and effective visa application process is provided below.
A current passport or other travel document attesting to your nationality and identity
Your eVisa (online documentation of your immigration status) or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), if you were granted one at the time of your student visa application.
When you applied for your student visa, you were given a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number. You would have received this number from your education provider.
Provide evidence of relationship with dependents who are applying with you, if applicable.
You could want a letter from your provider attesting to the fact that, during the previous 12 months, you were the recipient of a scholarship or sponsorship that paid for both your living expenses and course tuition.
Note: You may need to provide biometric information (fingerprints and photo) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre in case you’re unable to scan your BRP or passport with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
The UK Post-Study Work Visa is issued after document confirmation to ensure that the country retains the brightest students from all over the globe and help them make a growing career in the country, as well as opens opportunities for future breakthroughs in technology, science, research, and other similar work.
Post Study Work Visa Fees UK
An application fee and a healthcare premium for each year you stay in the UK are included in the graduate visa application process.
The cost of applying for a visa is £822 per applicant. Whether you are seeking a two-year or three-year visa, this charge is still applicable.
Annually, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is £1,035. You can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK with this fee. The length of your visa will determine the total IHS:
For a 2-year visa: £2,070
For a 3-year visa: £3,105
Total Costs (Application fee + IHS).
2-year visa: £2,892
3-year visa: £3,927
UK Post-Study Work Visa Processing Time
Within eight weeks, you should have a decision regarding your graduate visa application. Since they are unable to travel overseas until their application has been decided, applicants should remain in the UK during this time.
However, you will receive an email notification if your application takes longer than eight weeks to process. The following are some potential causes of the application process’s delay:
Additional verification is needed for supporting documentation.
Regarding individual instances, more details or an explanation are required.
The demand for visas is rising, or there are other operational setbacks.
What Happens After You Apply for a UK Post-Study Work Visa?
Within eight weeks of submitting your application for a PSW visa, you will receive an email with information on the status of your application and the following steps.
You can only receive a reimbursement of your application cost if you decide to withdraw your application for a graduate visa in the UK before the UKVI has begun processing it.
What You Can & Can’t Do With a Graduate Visa
A Graduate Visa allows you to:
Seek employment
Work for yourself
Perform volunteer work.
Go overseas and then come back to the UK.
You are not able to accomplish the following:
Apply for public cash or other perks like the state pension.
Engage in professional athletics
It is not possible to prolong the graduate visa, thus, students cannot apply for the route more than once in their lives.
Benefits of the UK Post-Study Work Visa
Given the availability of the Graduate visa, the UK is a top destination for Indian students looking to pursue higher education abroad. This visa is a convenient route for students because it provides a post-study employment opportunity that does not require sponsorship.
The following are the advantages of a UK study work visa:
#1. Extended Stay:
After earning their degree, graduates are permitted to remain in the UK for a maximum of two years, or three years for PhD holders. This gives plenty of time to look for work and obtain experience.
#2. No Sponsorship Needed:
In contrast to many other visa categories, this one does not call for an employer sponsorship or a job offer, allowing graduates to look into several career options without feeling rushed.
#3. Work in Any Sector:
You can work in any sector at any skill level, so you can test out different industries or pursue employment that fits your professional objectives.
#4. Dependent Work Rights:
International students’ dependents may also apply for work rights, which permit their partners and children to work in the UK while they are there.
#5. Route to Permanent Residency:
The experience acquired during this period may enable graduates to be eligible for additional visa categories, which may result in permanent residency in the United Kingdom.
How Can You Work After Studying in the UK?
The UK provides a variety of visa choices and pathways that enable you to develop your career, obtain foreign work experience, and remain in the country after graduation.
After finishing your education, you can work in the UK under a variety of post-study work visa arrangements, including:
#1. Skilled Worker Visa:
If an international student receives a job offer from a licensed sponsor employer that meets the necessary skill level and pay requirements, they are permitted to remain in the UK after graduation. You can apply for permanent residency once it has been granted for a maximum of five years.
#2. Global Talent Visa:
This visa is for exceptional students who excel in academics, research, the arts, or technology. It does not require a job offer and permits five years of employment in the UK.
#3. Start-Up Visa:
This alternative path is for foreign graduates who want to develop their entrepreneurial abilities while starting a successful and creative firm in the UK.
Candidates may pursue additional coursework under the graduate path of the post-study work visa UK, but they are not permitted to attend a state institution or study with a student sponsor.
We at EdXtra can help you choose the finest universities for your course, offer career advice, and walk you through the procedure if you want to study in the UK.
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