What is a Graduate Visa?
On 1 July 2021, the Home Office introduced the Graduate visa enabling students to work in the UK following successful completion of their course. The Graduate visa is similar to the Post Study Work visa which closed in 2012. It provides overseas graduates with the opportunity of working in the UK and employers with a wider talent pool to recruit from.
The Graduate visa allows an individual to remain in the UK for up to 2 years to work following the successful completion of a degree – 3 years for PhD applicants – so long as the degree was studied at an approved institution and the applicant is in the UK.
Qualifying courses for the Graduate visa
The Home Office will check to see the applicant has studied at an approved institution and completed a degree.
Please note, qualifications can include those required to become a professional such as:
- Law conversion course, approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Bar Practice course
- Foundation course in medicine or dentistry
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
Employment
Once approved the Graduate visa allows an individual to work in the UK either as an employee, or self-employed and to switch into the Skilled Worker visa route if they can find a sponsor through the skilled worker route, assuming they can otherwise meet the requirement of that route.
Prohibited activities for those granted a Graduate visa
Those approved a Graduate visa will not be able to work as a professional sportsman or study where a Tier 4 visa is required.
Dependants of Graduate visa holders
Graduate visa applicants can sponsor partners and children who were granted Tier 4 dependant visas of the main applicant.
All applicants are subject to meeting ‘suitability requirements’.
Appeal rights for applicants
The only form of appeal right is through administrative review or in extreme circumstances Judicial Review.
Fees
Home Office Fees
- £937 visa fee*
- £1035 Immigration Health Surcharge fee per year**