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UK Graduate Visa
A Graduate visa permits foreign national students to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing their courses in the UK.
At the time of the application, the student must be in the UK.
This route is a temporary and unsponsored work route, in which visa applicants are not required to have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) showing the offer of a job with a UK-licenced sponsor meeting minimum skill and salary levels.
UK Graduate Visa can be used to work in the UK or to spend time in the UK looking for work. If the Graduate Visa is granted, the student will be allowed to earn an income and gain work experience in several jobs across a wide range of UK businesses for a period of either 2 or 3 years, depending on the level of degree qualification.
UK Graduate Visa Requirements
The Graduate route is a flexible work route for overseas students already in the UK who want to find employment. Under this route, the applicant will not need to prove the offer of a job.
The applicants will also not be required to show funds or finance or demonstrate any English language ability, as they will have already satisfied these requirements under the Student Visa route.
The other requirements must still be met to be eligible for leave to remain under the Graduate route as follows:
- Successful completion requirement
The applicant must have been sponsored by a student sponsor in the UK. The applicant must have completed the course that was undertaken during their last grant of leave to study on the student route. Also, the student’s sponsor must have informed the Home Office that the applicant has completed their course by the time of the application.
- Qualification requirement
The applicant must have completed a course of study for which they have been, or are due to be, awarded a UK bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, or one of several professional qualifications at a degree level or above.
This means that an applicant can qualify for a Graduate Visa if they have either been awarded, or are due to be awarded a bachelor’s or master’s degree, a Ph.D. or other doctoral qualification, or any one of the prescribed professional qualifications.
- Studying in the UK Requirement
Under the study in the UK requirement for a Graduate Visa, the applicant must have held permission as a Student, which was granted to study the relevant qualification in the UK, for a minimum period.
Can dependants join you on a Graduate Visa?
Following a government announcement in December 2023, Graduate visa holders will no longer be permitted to bring family members with them to the UK as dependents.
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