A Graduate Visa or Post-Study Work Visa gives an applicant a permission to stay in the UK after completing their undergraduate or master’s degree for upto 2 years.
The Post-Study Work Visa was launched on 1 July 2021.
The Post-Study Work Visa remains valid for any candidate wishing to apply for the visa in the year 2022. In this article, we have covered the following important information:
- Eligibility Requirements
- Physical Presence
- Key Points
- Cost
- How to Apply
The UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) began accepting Graduate Visa applications in July 2021 after the notification by the UK Home Office. A Graduate Visa allows students who have completed their undergraduate and master’s degrees to remain and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years after completing their degree requirements.
Eligibility
Whether a student is eligible or not for this visa depends on the following:
- The education provider (university/college) where the course was completed.
- The kind of course the applicant completed.
- How long he/she studied in the UK.
To be able to apply for the Post-Study Work or Graduate Route visa, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- The applicant is present in the UK on a valid student visa.
- The applicant currently holds a Student Visa or a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
- Student visas or Tier 4 (General) student visas are necessary for the applicant to complete a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or other approved courses.
- Applicants for the University of College have been informed of their successful completion of the course by the education provider.
Note: Students cannot apply for the Graduate Route from overseas.
Meeting the Physical Presence
The candidate must have been physically present at the University/College, for example, attending lectures or meeting with a tutor, in order to be considered a student in the UK. A minimum of 12 months of full-time study in the UK, or the duration of the degree, is required of all student applicants. However, if the student was forced to study outside the UK due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the 12-month rule does not apply.
Students who have been granted more than a 12-month visa for study in the UK will be counted as if they were attending college between 24 January 2020 and 27 September 2021, even if they were not in the UK at the time. Graduate Visa applicants must have returned to the UK by the earlier of September 27, 2021, or their student visa’s expiration date, whichever is earlier.
Key Points
Applicants must apply for a Graduate Visa before their current Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires in order to be eligible for the Graduate Visa. For a period of two years, a Graduate Visa will be granted. Students with a PhD or other doctorate degree are eligible for a three-year visa, which will begin on the date that their application is approved.
The validity of a Graduate Visa expires after two years, it can not be renewed. There must be an application made before the two-year period of the Graduate Visa expiration if the applicant intends to remain in the United Kingdom for more than two years.
Cost
When applying for a Post-Study Work Visa, following cost must be considered:
- £700 Application Fee for a Year (2 years: £1,948 and 3 years: £2,572)
- £624 Healthcare Surcharge (2 years: £1,248 and 3 years: £1,875)
How to Apply
You can apply for your Post-Study Work Visa online on GOV.UK.
With the Post-Study Work Visa, you CAN:
- Work in most jobs
- Look for work
- Self-employed
- Live in the UK with your partner and children (if eligible)
- Voluntary work
- Travel in a foreign country and return to the UK
With the Post-Study Work Visa, you CANNOT:
- Attain most benefits (like public funds), or the State Pension
- Work as a professional sportsperson
A detailed list of everything you can and cannot do with a Graduate visa will be provided if your application is approved.
