THE GRADUATE VISA
The Graduate route is an opportunity for international students in the UK to continue to stay, work, or look for work. This route is a part of the Global Talent Visa policy that focuses on recruiting talented individuals in the STEM sector.
Your Graduate Visa will be granted for 2 years, or 3 years if you hold a PhD or other doctoral qualification.
You must still hold a valid Student or Tier 4 (General) visa before you apply for your Graduate visa.
You must have completed your degree, however, if your study has been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may benefit from certain concessions.
You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told you that you’ve successfully completed the course you took with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa. You do not need to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate.
You do not need to show any maintenance funds or prove your English Language ability since these have been already assessed for your Student or Tier 4 (General) visa.
You must still hold a valid Student or Tier 4 (General) visa before you apply for your Graduate visa.
You must have completed your degree, however, if your study has been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may benefit from certain concessions.
You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told you that you’ve successfully completed the course you took with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa. You do not need to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate.
You do not need to show any maintenance funds or prove your English Language ability since these have been already assessed for your Student or Tier 4 (General) visa.
Fairmont Lawyers can help you navigate the requirements and provide you with professional legal assistance every step of the way to obtain a Graduate visa.
FAQ
No, you cannot extend your Graduate visa. You may be able to switch to the Skilled Worker route so long as you meet the requirements of the Skilled Worker route. You may also switch to other work routes like the Global Talent and Innovator routes.
No, you cannot bring in new dependants on the Graduate route. If you have existing dependants as your Student dependants then they may apply as a dependant of a Graduate at the same time you apply or after.
It costs £700 to apply. You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application of £624 per each year of the visa.
You can only apply for a Graduate visa inside the UK. The decision will take up to 8 weeks.