A UK visa designed for entrepreneurs launching a business based on an innovative idea.
A visa for overseas employees transferring to a UK branch within the same organisation.
A route that allows individuals to start and sponsor their own UK-based business.
A visa for skilled professionals with a job offer from a UK-licensed employer.
UK Graduate Visa
The UK Graduate Visa allows international graduates to stay and work in the UK after completing an eligible UK degree. This visa provides two years of stay for bachelor’s or master’s graduates and three years for those who have completed a PhD. While the Graduate Visa doesn’t directly lead to settlement, it enables graduates to switch into other visa categories, such as the Skilled Worker or Global Talent route, that may lead to long-term residency.
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Eligibility for a Graduate Visa
To qualify, applicants must:
- Hold a UK degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
- Have studied at a Higher Education Provider with a strong compliance history as a student sponsor.
- Have had valid Student permission (Tier 4 or Student Visa) throughout the course.
- Be applying from within the UK with valid student status at the application time.
- Not have previously been on the Doctorate Extension Scheme or Graduate route.
Requirements may vary by individual circumstances, so consulting an immigration lawyer can provide clarity and guidance.
Eligible Courses for the Graduate Visa
Applicants must have successfully completed a recognized degree at the bachelor’s level or higher. This includes professional courses at UK bachelor’s degree level or above, as well as roles as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer. The course must be regulated by UK law or a UK public authority.
Minimum Study Period Requirement
Graduate Visa applicants must meet a minimum period of study in the UK, which depends on course duration:
- Courses of 12 months or less: Applicants must have held student permission for the full course duration.
- Courses longer than 12 months: Applicants must have had at least 12 months of Student permission while studying in the UK.
Sponsorship and Employment on the Graduate Visa
The Graduate Visa is an unsponsored route, meaning no job offer or Certificate of Sponsorship is needed. Graduates are free to look for work and are not restricted by minimum salary requirements. Employment is flexible, allowing graduates to work in any role, at any skill level, and switch jobs as they choose.
What the Graduate Visa Permits
- Duration of Stay: Bachelor’s and master’s graduates can stay for two years, while PhD graduates have a three-year stay.
- Extensions: Extensions are not permitted under the Graduate Visa route.
- Settlement: The Graduate Visa does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain (ILR), but visa holders may switch to other work-based routes (e.g., Skilled Worker, Global Talent) that do.
Family Members and Dependants
Existing dependents can apply to extend their stay under the Graduate Visa route. However, new dependents are not permitted, except for children born in the UK during the period of the visa holder’s Student or Graduate permission.
Get in Touch
For guidance with your Graduate Visa application, Highfin Solicitors in Mayfair, London, offers expert advice tailored to your needs. Contact us at 0207 113 5728 or complete our online enquiry form to explore your options for staying in the UK after graduation.
