On 1 July 2021, the UK's Graduate visa opened for applications. But what could this mean for you?
In this blog, we've taken a look at how the visa could help you build a life and a career in the UK after university.
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What is the Graduate visa?
Not only is the UK a great place to receive a world-class education, but you can also get valuable work experience here and add working with some of the world's biggest brands to your CV in the process.
The Graduate visa means you can make the most of that opportunity because it allows you to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK after you have graduated from either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
The visa is available to international students who have a valid Student visa at the time of application. It doesn't count towards settlement status.
Because the new visa launched on 1 July 2021, any students who graduate after this date are eligible to apply.
How do I apply for a Graduate visa?
To be eligible for a Graduate visa, you need to have successfully completed the course you took with your current Student visa.
You must apply online and before your Student visa expires.
As part of your application, you'll be asked to supply supporting documents - such as a valid passport and your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number.
You'll also need to provide proof you have a valid Student visa. This might be a biometric residence permit (you can continue to use this for 18 months after its expiry date) or proof you have an eVisa.
Once you’ve applied and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within eight weeks.
Find out more about the documents you'll need to supply here.
How much does a Graduate visa cost?
The application fee for a Graduate visa is £880.
You'll also have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year you'll be in the UK.
How long do I need to be in the UK before I can apply?
In order to apply, you need to be in the UK and have studied your course for either:
- at least 12 months, if your course’s total length is more than 12 months
- the total length of your course, if its total length is shorter than 12 months
The rules may be different if you couldn't study in the UK because of Covid-19 - so, check here to be sure.
What happens after the Graduate visa expires?
The Graduate visa is a fixed-term visa, so you can't extend it. At the end of the time period, you'll be able to go home having benefitted from a great professional and personal experience.
If you're in work, you could switch to the Skilled Worker visa. You'll need to meet the eligibility criteria for this, but if you do, you can stay in the UK for up to fve years. This does contribute to settlement status.
Find out more:
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