Postgraduate Visa UK
Do you intend to continue living in the UK after you finish your studies, if you are an international student? A Post Graduate Visa or Graduate Route enables qualified students to remain in the UK after completing their UK degree, either to live, work, or search for employment.
Our team of immigration consultants is here to help you understand and navigate the application process with ease. For assistance, please contact our immigration solicitors at +44 20 8016 2308 or reach out by completing the online form on our website.
What is the Post Graduate Visa UK?
The Postgraduate Visa in the United Kingdom targets international students who have received an undergraduate degree or higher in the country. Graduate students can use their Graduate Route visa to remain in the UK to work for up to two or three years.
Other visas often require a job offer or sponsorship, but the Postgraduate Visa does not. You can find work in many sectors, start your own business, or choose jobs that allow flexible hours.
You must have all these qualities to qualify for a Post Graduate Visa:
- Your degree from a UK university must be eligible (including a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD).
- It is essential that the institution is licensed and has a proven record of adhering to regulations.
- Being in the UK is required when you apply, and you should also have a valid Student or Tier 4 visa.
- You must have passed your course (evidence of passing from your university is necessary).
Fulfilling all these items is crucial, as the application may not be considered further if any of these requirements are not met. Every one of our team members checks every detail before the project goes live.
Your length of stay on the Post Graduate Visa in the UK Graduate Route depends on the degree or qualification you earned there. It is designed for international students, offering flexibility as they transition from study to work, rather than requiring them to secure sponsorship immediately after completing their course.
- After approval, if you possess either a UK Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you will get a 2-year visa.
- If you have achieved a PhD or an equivalent doctoral-level qualification, you will be allowed a 3-year visa under this route.
You are given more than enough time during this period. It gives you the ability to change your work hours whenever you want.
- Submit your application for jobs in different sectors without having a current job offer.
- Most types of jobs, whether skilled or unskilled, have people working full-time at them.
- You can move to another job without having to change your visa or gain Home Office approval.
- Think about launching your own business or finding work as a freelancer (although there may be challenges).
Above all, this marks the beginning of more lasting options for living in Canada. Most graduates take this opportunity to work in the UK, which can result in them being eligible for visas that allow them to settle, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
The Graduate Route cannot be extended, unlike the Student Visa. After 2 or 3 years, you are required to find another type of eligible visa or prepare to leave the UK. It is therefore essential to make the most of this time by working, connecting, or seeking long-term employment opportunities.
For help planning what to do after you finish studying, our advisors can give you advice.
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This visa category is very flexible in the UK. This section shows you what you are permitted to do:
- Work full-day jobs or part-time in most job settings
- Starting your own business can provide financial security and independence.
- Work without being paid or trained
- Be able to come and go from the UK whenever needed
- Consider using the Skilled Worker visa as an alternative, as it typically allows for settlement in the UK.
The visa will enable you to build your career, gain skills, or discover job opportunities in the UK.
Even though the visa provides a lot, there are some limits involved:
- You are not eligible to get public funds (benefits or social housing).
- Being employed as a professional sports person or coach is not possible.
- If you need to stay in the US longer, you need to apply for a new visa after this one has ended.
A proper understanding of these limits will help you stick to immigration regulations.
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Postgraduate Visa Application Process
You need to follow each part of the application for the Post Graduate Visa carefully. Even though it is not complex, giving accurate and detailed details helps you avoid problems with your visa. I will now provide a detailed description of each step.
To start the process for a Post Graduate Visa, you often need to present these:
- An official passport
- The Student visa or Tier 4 visa you are using at the moment
- A notification from your university confirming that you have finished your course (this is typically provided to the Home Office automatically)
- If necessary, mention the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number.
They will support you in gathering and checking each document to prevent your immigration application from being rejected or delayed.
To apply for the Post Graduate Visa, you should be prepared to pay an application fee together with the required Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). You are given the IHS every year, which provides you with access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) at no charge during your stay. How much it costs you will change depending on your chosen study duration: two years for a bachelor’s or master’s, or three years for a PhD.
Since visa fees and IHS rates may be updated, always make sure to get the current rates before you file for admission. The team helps you understand all the expenses at every stage and guides you in making an easy-to-follow budget. We assure you that there are no shocks, and you know what to expect during all stages of applying.
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It usually takes up to 8 weeks from the date you submit your application for your Post Graduate Visa to be processed. The process continues once you have finished the web form, added all required papers, and attended your biometrics session, if needed. In general, applicants find out within this period; however, when many are graduating from universities, delays can occur because a higher volume of applications is being processed. More time may be needed if your application requires additional evidence or documentation. Accuracy is crucial in your application because even minor mistakes can cause problems and delays.
Because you are applying for another visa inside the UK, you are permitted to stay under your current Student visa conditions. Until you get a decision, it’s best not to travel abroad, since your application process might be affected. We closely monitor the status of your application, maintain contact with the Home Office, and address any issues that arise promptly. We’ll stay with you during the whole process until you get your approved visa.
The numerous steps of UK immigration can be challenging, primarily when your move depends on a successful first attempt. This is why hiring immigration lawyers in the UK can be very helpful. We take the time to get to know your education, immigration history, and plans for the future to see whether you can apply for the Post Graduate Visa. By doing this, you help your application get a stable start and skip many mistakes.
Through evaluating your documents, our team helps you prepare everything you need to match the Home Office’s rules. We walk you through everything you need, from confirming your course completion to helping you arrange documents for visa and passport applications. Once everything is set up, we oversee the entire process, from paperwork to submission, ensuring it is accurate, complete, and in compliance with all relevant regulations.
Beyond the initial application, we also support clients as they prepare for future changes. Should you wish to go for a Skilled Worker visa or choose a different immigration path later, we can advise and guide you with a specific legal strategy. If anything is delayed or rejected that wasn’t expected, our solicitors can address the Home Office, help with appeals where applicable, and look after your rights all along.
As UK immigration rules are constantly changing, it is crucial to stay up-to-date and comply with the latest regulations. Because of our trusted support, you will be able to concentrate on your progress and not worry about the legal side of things.
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- Many years of working in UK immigration law
- Both students and professionals approve of it.
- Each client has their case handler.
- Low prices and no hidden costs.
- Many people get their visas approved.
- We are proud to go beyond being advisors and consider ourselves your immigration partners.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dependents allowed to come with me on a Postgraduate Visa?
Those who complete a PhD program are eligible, as are individuals on a government scholarship with dependents currently residing in the UK on a Student visa. Adding new dependents is not allowed on the Graduate Route.
Can I get an extension for my Postgraduate Visa?
There isn‘t an option to extend the Post Graduate Visa. It cannot be renewed; it can only be issued once. If you intend to continue living in the UK after the Graduate Route, you need to change to a visa that permits you to stay, for example, the Skilled Worker visa.
Can someone living outside of the UK still apply?
You have to be physically in the UK to be able to apply for the Graduate Route. All applications have to come from candidates in the United Kingdom.
Could I convert my visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. If a licensed sponsor offers you a job, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa while on your Graduate Route visa and stay in the UK.
Do requirements state a minimum salary limit for those on a Postgraduate Visa?
You do not have to meet any minimum wage rule to use the Graduate Route. Shift workers have the opportunity to try many jobs at various levels of experience and pay rates. Switching to a Skilled Worker visa will require a minimum salary, which will be determined at a later date.
Do I need a job offer before applying for the Postgraduate Visa?
No. You do not have to get an offer before you apply. The Graduate Route provides individuals on this visa with the freedom to seek employment, start working immediately, or establish a business under specific conditions.
Does this visa permit me to be self-employed?
Being self-employed is possible, though there are some rules involved. It is not possible to hire workers or lease office space when you set up an LLC. Freelancing or operating as a sole trader is permitted as long as everything follows immigration law.
Does the period spent on a Graduate Visa count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
ILR eligibility does not depend on how much time you use the Graduate Route. But if you get a type of visa that is counted (for example, the Skilled Worker visa), the time you have spent on that visa can go towards the required period for the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
What happens if I become unemployed while I am on a Postgraduate Visa?
Being unemployed doesn’t mean you have to leave the UK during the rest of your visa period. You do not have to stay at the same workplace and can explore different jobs without telling the Home Office.
