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There’s great news for anyone considering studying in the UK, as the government has announced new post-study work visas for international students.
The new Graduate Route will be available to anyone completing a UK degree from the summer of 2021 or after. It will allow you to stay in the UK for up to two years after you graduate, with no restriction on the type of work you can do.
We can’t tell you how pleased we are to see these changes and we want to make sure you understand what they mean for Masters and PhD students.
The following is a quick explanation of how the new post-study work visas will work, with a particular focus on postgraduate students (that’s what we do, after all).
There are still a few details to confirm, but we’ll be keeping a very close eye on things and making sure our newsletter subscribers are up to date.
If you are considering remaining in the UK to work after you have completed your studies,the table below provides a summary of the main options. Further information can be found by clicking on each visa type.
You will be able to work on your Tier 4 visa after you have completed your course until the expiry of your visa but there are certain restrictions.
The UK government has announced a two year post-study work visa for international students. Arrangements, including the timeframe for implementation, have not yet been confirmed but information on what we know so far is outlined on our Graduate route webpage.
Visa requirements are subject to change. Before applying for any UK visa, you should read the relevant Policy Guidance in order to understand the full details and requirements at the time of application.
| Visa Type | Overview | Is sponsorship required? | Maximum duration | Can I switch from Tier 4 inside the UK? | What do I need to qualify? | Can I bring dependants? |
| Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme | For students who have nearly completed their PhD and want to remain in the UK for a further 12 months to work, look for work or set up a business | Yes, from the University | 12 months from your expected course completion date | Yes (applicants cannot apply from outside the UK) | A CAS issued by the University. Applicants must submit a visa application at the point of holding a valid Tier 4 visa and in the 60 days prior to receiving final approval for their degree | Yes |
| Tier 2 (General) | This is the main immigration route to work in the UK. The visa is linked to a specific job and employer | Yes, from the Tier 2 licensed employer | 5 years | Yes (and there are benefits in doing so) | Sponsorship is in the form of a COS from a Tier 2 licensed employer. The job needs to meet various requirements including a minimum salary | Yes |
| Start-up visa | For graduates who demonstrarte high entpreneurial potential and wish to start a business in the UK. | No but there must be an endorsement from the University. | 2 years | Yes | Endorsement by the University. | Yes |
| Tier 5 Youth Mobility | For individuals of certain nationalities including Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand aged between 18-30 | Yes but only for certain countries | 24 months | No | A certificate of sponsorship is required for nationals of Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan. Other requirements include maintenance | No |
| UK Ancestry | For individuals who are a commonwealth citizen, are planning to work and have a grandparent who was born in the UK | No | 5 years | No | Must be able to prove that one grandparent was born in the UK | Yes |
| Tier 5 GAE | For individuals wanting to come to the UK for a period of work experience, training, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme. | Yes | 12-24 months depending on the type of scheme | Depends on the circumstances | A COS from a Tier 5 sponsor or overarching body is required | Yes |
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