All You Need To Know About UK's Graduate Immigration Route

The UK government has officially opened a new Graduate Immigration route post-study work visa on 1 July 2021, allowing international students to stay in the UK for up to two years after successful completion of their course. By implementing this, PhD graduates can live and work in the UK for up to three years.

The new Graduate Immigration Route gives humungous opportunities to talented Indian graduates who have been conferred their degree from a UK university to stay, work, or search for a job in the UK, at any skill level, for at least 2 years.

1. What is Graduate Route?

Graduate Route is a post-study work visa given to international students to stay in the UK for 2 years after successful completion of their degree. Ph.D. graduates will be able to stay for 3 years

2. Who is eligible for Graduate Route?

The Graduate Route will be available to international students who have completed an undergraduate degree or above with a valid Tier 4 visa on or after 1st July 2021.

3. Who is NOT eligible for Graduate Route?

Students who graduate and expire their visa before 1st July 2021 and students who have done short-term courses are NOT eligible for Graduate Route.

4. Eligibility of Dependents

Any individual who already has permission as a dependent of a student who is eligible for the graduate route can apply to extend for the visa as a dependent.

New dependents will not be permitted under Graduate Route.

5. What will be the fee for a Graduate Route visa?

Students need to pay a separate visa fee of 700 GB and the Immigration Health Surcharge at £624 per year to access the Graduate Route.

6. Can I switch the Graduate route to a Skilled visa?

Yes. You are allowed to switch the Graduate route to a Skilled work visa (Tier2) provided you have received an offer letter from an approved employer of the UK.

7. Who should apply for the Graduate route visa?

Students, themselves should apply for the new Graduate route. The university is not responsible for applying the graduate route, they will give you expert guidance on how to apply.

8. Will the university act as a sponsor for my Graduate route?

No. Students applying to the Graduate route will not need a sponsor.

9. What will the application deadline for the Graduate route?

Students need to apply for the Graduate route before the expiry of their current Tire 4 visa.

10. Does a Graduate route visa count towards a settlement?

No. The Graduate route is non-extendable and will not lead to settlement in the UK.