Glad tidings to International students: UK relaxes post-study work visa.

Along with the advent of a New Year comes great news to International Students. In light of the pandemic, the UK Home Office has announced a concession that enables International Students studying remotely to apply for the UK’s new two-year post-study work visa, as long as their degree does not finish this academic year.

In September 2019, the UK Government announced the re-implementation of a new immigration route that will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies. The new government under Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the return of post-study work visas in the UK, seven years after they were abolished by Theresa May as home secretary.

To be eligible for the Graduate Route visa, the student must be graduating from a UK university. Moreover, it would be best if the student held a Tier-4 Student visa when the system is being introduced in 2021.

Here is everything you need to know about the new “Graduate Route”

Students who are unable to travel to the UK due to travel restrictions may start their degrees online. They can study remotely for all their courses without applying for a Tier-4 student visa.
UK Visa and Immigration office will issue visa vignettes for 90 days (against the standard 30 days), providing students a longer window to travel to the UK.
Successful applications are eligible for a work visa in the UK for two years (postgraduates), while Ph.D. students can stay and work for three years.
The period of a student's unemployment will not adversely affect the length of their post-study work visa in the UK.
Students do not require any sponsorship to apply for the Graduate Route.
There are no restrictions or caps on the number of students who can apply for the Graduate Route.
There is no minimum salary level for those applying for the Graduate Route. Students are encouraged to apply for more advanced roles relating to their field of study. Furthermore, they can also choose to develop their CV or explore other job options.

The new Graduate route will allow eligible students to work or look for work, at any skill level, for two years after completing their courses, while Ph.D. students can work for three years. However, once this visa expires, they will have to apply for a different type of visa to continue working in the UK. It can be a Tier-2 General work visa or other kinds of visa.

The good news is that the Graduate Route visa will enable the students to gain the required skills and expertise to apply for the Tier-2 General work visa. Consequently, the International Students will also have the opportunity of applying for permanent residency.

Excited to hear this great news? Call our Experts on 0113 416 433 to get to know more about the “Graduate Route” and to reap the benefits of it.