UK government announces 2-year graduate work visa for international students
The UK government have announced they plan to open a new immigration route which will allow international students to work for two years after completing their programme of studies.
The UK government have announced they plan to open a new immigration route which will allow international students to work for two years after completing their programme of studies.
Key features announced so far:
- The new immigration route will be open to international students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Institution with a track record of compliance
- Successful applicants on this route will be able to stay and work (in any sector or at any level), or look for work, in the UK for a maximum period of two years. The visa is not extendable but graduates will be able to switch into skilled work once they have found a suitable job
- It is expected that students entering the UK in the 2020-21 academic year intake will be eligible for this route. The UKCISA website mentions that students who have current Tier 4 leave when the new route is introduced may also be able to benefit from it. Students whose Tier 4 visa expires before the route is introduced will not be eligible for the post-study work visa.
- The route will require an in-country application. A (so far unspecified) application fee and an Immigration Health Surcharge payment will be applicable. Applicants will be subject to identity, criminality and security checks.
UKCISA: Return of Post-study work
Please note: Due to the limited information available at this time, we are unable to confirm exact requirements for eligibility under this route. We will update as and when further clarifications become available.