Many overseas students dream of going to college in the UK, and for those students, the UK is also a gateway to interesting job opportunities. Students opt to study in this country every year because its schools are known all over the world, it has a rich cultural heritage, and its degrees are recognized all over the world. People who are thinking about studying abroad can make the process easier and less stressful by working with educated study abroad consultants in Dubai or expert study consultants in the UK. The Graduate Immigration Route in the UK is one of the most enticing things for international students right now. This path lets graduates stay in the country and look for work when they finish their studies. Let us discuss here everything you need to know about the Graduate Immigration Route, including who can apply, how to do it, the pros and cons, and tips on how to make the most of this chance.
What is the Graduation Immigration Route?
Once you have completed a degree or postgraduate certificate in the United Kingdom, international students who are eligible for the Graduate Immigration Route, also known as the Graduate Route or Post-Study Work Visa, are granted permission to remain and work in the UK. One opportunity for students to get work experience and potentially transition to other long-term immigration paths in the UK is through the use of this visa.
Duration: You are permitted to remain for two years after completing your undergraduate or master’s degree.
PhD or doctoral graduates: They are permitted to remain in the country for three years following the completion of their studies.
Types of work allowed: Work of any kind is permitted, and there are no limitations placed on your ability to switch employment or work at any skill level.
Eligibility Requirements
- You need to hold a relevant professional qualification at degree level or higher, or a full Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD from a UK institution.
- The degree must have been earned from a Home Office-approved UK higher education institution.
- The applicant must have finished the course while their student visa was still valid.
- You need to possess a current Student visa (or Tier 4 visa) upon submission of your application.
- A valid, up-to-date visa is required.
- With a few notable exceptions for approved study abroad programs or remote study as a result of COVID-19, the full course must have been finished in the UK.
- Subject to the student’s successful completion of the course listed on their student visa’s CCAS.
- Completed course must have resulted in a formal award.
- You wouldn’t have to verify your English proficiency when you applied for the student visa in the first place.
- No proof of funds or resources is required.
Application Process
1 – Prepare Your Documents
- A passport or other travel document that is still valid.
- The BRP, which stands for your biometric residence permit.
- A statement from your university confirming that you have completed your degree.
2 – You can submit your application on the website of the English government.
3- Please pay the application fee, which is £822.
4 – Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is estimated to be £1,035 for each year of stay.
5 – We will invite you to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) center if you are required to undergo biometric enrollment.
6 – It usually takes eight weeks for the processing phase to be finished. You are allowed to stay in the UK during this time whilst your application is being processed.
Key Benefits of the Graduate Immigration Route
- Graduates can work in any job or field, including self-employment and volunteer work, without the necessity for a business sponsor.
- This path allows for two years (or three years for PhD graduates) to get job experience and investigate various vocational opportunities.
- The Graduate Route can be completed successfully, which can lead to qualifying for the Skilled Worker visa, which is a gateway to permanent residency in the United Kingdom.
- This visa is a pathway to permanent residency in the United Kingdom.
- Graduates are permitted to bring their dependent family members to the United Kingdom to live with them for the duration of the two years designated for family inclusion.
- There is no minimum wage requirement applicable to this route. There is no salary requirement.
- There is no cap on the number of students who are eligible to apply for the Graduate Route.
- These students are free to submit their applications.
- Having the ability to move occupations without the necessity for a sponsor is a benefit that graduates have.
Limitations to Consider
- Standard visa validity is two years (or three years for PhD holders), and extensions are not possible.
- Individuals traveling this route may be affected by future changes to the visa regulations.
- The combination of the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge might add up to a significant sum.
- Permanent residency cannot be obtained through the Graduate Route alone; in order to be considered for settlement, one must apply for and receive a different form of visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
- Graduate Route candidates may have challenges in finding employment possibilities, as not all employers are familiar with or willing to hire them.
- The addition of new dependents to an existing visa application is typically not permitted.
- The Graduate Route does not contribute to settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) eligibility.
Conclusion
The Graduate Immigration Route lets students from other countries obtain work experience, look into other career options, and switch to long-term visa tracks while they are in the UK. If you know everything about the UK, including its needs, constraints, and benefits, you may be able to make smarter judgments and get the most out of your time there when you finish your studies. If you get ready the right way and ask for help from experienced study abroad consultants in Dubai, you may turn your degree from the UK into a stepping stone to a successful job in other areas of the world.
