So, you’ve finished your studies, and graduation day is looming! Taking the next step in your career can seem daunting, especially if you’re on a Student visa. Fortunately, you have several options to switch your visa if you wish to remain in the UK
Route 1: Graduate visa
Through this route, you’ll be able to remain in the UK for a further 2 years (or 3 years if you have successfully completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification) after the successful completion of your course, however you will have to be in the UK for this route to apply.
There are additional requirements you’ll have to meet:
- be in the UK
- be on a Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- you have 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 has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course
Route 2: Skilled Worker visa
Once you have completed 2/3 years on the Graduate visa, you will be unable to extend it further. However, you could switch to other work visas, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
To qualify, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- work for a Home Office approved UK employer
- have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ (CoS) from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered
- be performing a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
- remuneration must be the minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do and the date you received your CoS
- demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the English language.
Once approved, this visa option lasts for 5 years before it can be extended an indefinite number of times (as long as eligibility requirements are met). After 5 years, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent settlement) and continue to live and work in the UK.
For three top tips on how to make your application process as seamless as possible, please see another blog by the Gherson team: https://gherson.com/blog/3-top-tips-when-applying-for-a-skilled-worker-visa/
The UK government is interested in attracting the best and the brightest talent to settle in the UK, so if you are eligible, the Global Talent or Innovator Founder visa route might be right for you. We have the expertise to advise you on all your available options in order to further your career in the UK.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an . Don’t forget, you can follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date on new developments.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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