👨‍🎓 🇬🇧 Graduate visa started on 1 July 2021

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Graduate visa has finally opened on 1 July 2021! Those of us working in immigration law for a long time still call it by its predecessor, Post-Study Work visa. International students, who are in the UK on a Tier 4 or Student visa, can remain for 2 years after completing their course (3 years for PhD graduates). 


The highlights:


#1 Graduate visa allows to work in the UK in almost any job. No need for sponsorship (no job offer is needed), no minimum salary, no limit on places etc. 


#2 You can apply once your university has confirmed a successful completion of your course. You cannot apply before that (such as while waiting for the results) but don’t have to wait for the formal graduation either. Qualifying courses are Bachelor, Master, PhD but also some professional courses, please contact us for details.  


#3 You can only apply inside the UK, i.e. switch from a Student visa. 


#4 Digital application process with an eVisa. The immigration process has been moving onto a digital domain for some time now, and this new category will be a digital one from the start. In most cases, you’d need an app to confirm your ID, and if it's not possible, then you might need to attend a visa centre. Your eVisa will also be a proof of your status in the UK and accessible by other UK Government departments, such as the NHS. 


#5 This is an interesting one. Dependants can only join (ie get a Graduate Dependant visa) if they already had a Tier 4 /Student Dependant visa while you were studying. But no new dependants are allowed while you are on a Graduate visa, you can only add them later, such as when you switch to a Skilled Worker visa. There are some finer details, such as children born in the UK, please contact us for details. 


#6 This visa doesn’t count towards settlement in the standard 5-year routes. You don’t have to have it, though, you can ‘jump’ straight to a visa that does lead to settlement, such as straight to a Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 General) if you are able to secure sponsorship from a UK employer. If you are studying for a degree in medical or certain science disciplines, you can apply for a Health and Care Worker visa, which is a part of a Skilled Worker visa and leads to settlement, plus has lower fees. Likewise, if you qualify for a Spouse/Partner visa on the basis of your relationship with a UK citizen. In fact, this visa is the answer for many couples who aren’t married and cannot qualify for an Unmarried Partner visa (haven’t lived together for 2 years), so this visa will allow time for that! 

 

For advice with our Immigration Lawyers please book an advice session here. We offer advice over WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, phone or email.


1st 4Immigration is one of the most experienced UK immigration law companies, OISC - accredited at the highest Level 3. We have been in business for over 10 years, our OISC reference is 200800152, in which 2008 stands for the year accreditation. Office: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HN. 

www.1st4immigration.com 

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