Remain in the UK to undertake and seek work
On 1st July 2021, a new route for international students to remain in the United Kingdom after completion of their studies was introduced by the Home Office. The Graduate Route is aimed at providing students an opportunity to remain in the UK to undertake and seek work.
The route is available to international students who have successfully completed a degree at undergraduate level or above and they must have a valid student visa when they apply for the Graduate Route.
Undergraduates and postgraduates who apply under this route will be eligible to remain in the United Kingdom for up to two years, whilst Ph.D. students will be eligible to remain for up to three years. Once an applicant has found a suitable job, s/he could switch to a Skilled Worker visa provided that s/he meets the requisite requirements.
Applicants will not be required to meet further maintenance or English language requirements if these have already been met on the student visa route.
The graduate route fees include the application fee of £700 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £624 per year of visa. Dependants of the applicant are also required to pay the same.
Applicants must have:
- been in the UK for the whole course of study if the course is 12 months or less in length; or
- been in the UK for the final 12 months of their course if it is over 12 months
However, the Home Office has made allowances in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on students. As such, applicants who do not meet the above requirements due to COVID-19-related absences from the United Kingdom will still be eligible to apply under the Graduate route for the academic year 2020/2021. This is provided that they meet all other requirements and are applying for the Graduate route from within the United Kingdom.
If you wish to talk to us about applying under the Graduate Route, please contact our friendly team of London immigration lawyers at Barar and Associates at barar.london@bararassociates.co.uk or call us on 020 7487 8370. You can access more information about us here.
