Information about the new UK Graduate Route Visa
Good news for international students to the UK.
The new UK Graduate Route
visa, which officially opens on 1 July 2021, will allow graduate international students, to remain in the UK after the end of their course.
If you are considering coming to student in the UK from the 1st of July, then this applies to you too. you CAN ONLY APPLY if your course end date falls on or after the 1st of July 2021.
If for any reason you've had to study by distance learning from abroad to complete your UK degree programme, you can still apply for this visa, from outside the UK.
UK Graduate Route visa duration
Depending on your qualification, you can
- Live and work in the UK for up to two years if you are a Masters or Bachelors graduates.
- Live and work in the UK for up to three years if you are a
SEE UK UNIVERSITIES: INFORMATION FOR NIGERIAN STUDENTS
For the Graduate Route visa, You
don't need to be in employment to stay on it and there are no
restrictions to the kind of work you can do.
Eligibility criteria for
the Graduate
Route Visa
To be eligible for the Graduate Route Visa, you should on or after 1 July 2021, be a graduate from a UK higher institution, with a UK degree, and on a valid visa (Tier 4 or Student Route).
Note: eligibility for this visa route, is not restricted by nationality or course of study.
VISIT OUR MAIN PAGE
About the Graduate Route Visa
- You do not need to have been offered a job in the UK before you can apply.
- You can do any kind of work, without any minimum salary level.
- You can can leave or switch jobs without any negative effect on your visa.
- There is absolutely no cap on the number of people who can benefit from the Graduate Route.
- You will not need any sponsorship from any university to apply for the Graduate Route visa.
Graduate Route VS doctorate extension scheme (DES) for int'l students
From July 2021, you will only need to apply to the Graduate Route. You no longer have need to apply to the DES.
With the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) PhD graduates were able to extend their student visas for 12 months. But with this new Graduate Route for PhD students, they can have up to three-years of post-study entitlement.
Graduate Route VS Tier 4 visa pilot for Masters students
The Graduate Route now allows all int'l students to remain in the UK for a much longer period after their masters degree.
When your Graduate Route Visa expires?
At the end of the period of your Graduate Route Visa, you will need to leave the UK, or apply for a different visa, such as a Tier 2 General work visa.
If you are going on a Tier 2 visa, then you will need to have an employment offer with
a minimum skill and salary level.
If you are not eligible for a Tier 2 visa, then you won't be able to apply for a second Graduate Route visa.
Fee for the Graduate
Route visa
You will need to pay a visa fee to access the Graduate Route. it costs (£700).
- Note: There is a reduction of £55 pound on the visa fee, if you are from these countries.
You will also need to pay another Immigration Health Surcharge to cover each additional year you spend in the UK. That is £625 per year.
Shop Quality Accessories
Deadline for Graduate Route visa application
Before your current student visa expires, you will need to apply to the Graduate Route.
Depending on your course, A Tier 4 or Student Route visa will normally last for the duration of your Masters or PhD plus an additional four month grace period. Make sure to apply for the Graduate Route visa before any of the above visas expires.
GOT QUESTIONS?
