Once graduated, the international students can now work and stay for up to 2 or 3 years depending on their qualification in the UK. The country finally starts the Graduate Route stream from today for the international students.
Through this route, from 1 July 2021, the graduate applicants can get for any skill level a two years visa whereas doctorate students can get three years of visa. The UK initially announced the route back in March 2021. Now the immigration stream is active for accepting visa applications. During this time, they can work as well as find a new job to witch into Skilled Worker Visa. Here we will discuss eligibility, how to apply, (eVisa), and conditions of the route.
Who can apply?
The Graduate route is available to international students, who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above (or one of the limited number of professional qualifications at degree level or above) at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance. You must have completed the qualification that was named on the CAS or following a change of course which was allowed without applying for further permission.
If you have started your studies in the 2020-2021 academic year in the UK, you will be able to participate in this route even if you began your degree online in your home country due to due to travel restrictions. A candidate who started their studies at the end of 2020 will now have time until 21 June 2021 to enter the UK (updated from 6 April 2021) in order to be eligible for the Graduate route.
Furthermore, the applicants who started their studies in January or February 2021, will need to be in the United Kingdom by 27 September 2021.
How to apply and process?
The “Graduate Route” will be available to international students who have valid student visas at the time of application and have successfully obtained an undergraduate level or higher degree from a higher education provider with a track record of compliance. You must be in the UK when you apply.
Following steps should be followed in order to apply for the Graduate Route visa:
- You should apply to the Graduate route once your university has sent you your final course results, and not before this. You do not have to wait until you have graduated to apply,
- The applicants can start their application at GOV.UK where they will create a UK Visas and Immigration account and use the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app to verify the identity. Applicants must have their Biometric Residence Card or Permit (BRC/P),
- If the applicant is an EU, EEA, or Swiss national, he/she can use their biometric passport to verify identity on the app,
- If you cannot use the ID app, you will need to visit a UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services center (UKVCAS) to complete the application process.
- You’ll be told how to book this when you apply,
- You will need the existing Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from your current Student (or Tier 4) visa to apply under this route
- If you do not know your CAS number, contact your university. You do not need a new CAS to apply, you should use your existing one.
If your visa expires after you have applied to the Graduate route, you will be permitted to remain in the UK whilst your application is being considered.
Graduate Route Fees
For both two and three-year Graduate route applications, the visa fees to apply to the Graduate route is £700.
It is compulsory for you to also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This costs £624 per year and the full amount needs to be paid when applying. The dependants will also have to apy the both amounts in case they are applying with you.
Key benefits of the route for international students
- Three is no need for a sponsor,
- International students will not require a job offer to apply,
- There is no minimum salary requirements nor caps on numbers,
- On this path, graduates will be able to work flexibly,
- You are not required to show funds,
- you do not need to demonstrate English language ability when applying.
Basic conditions for Graduate Route
- The Graduate Route Visa holders can take up extra study, but they cannot
study with a student sponsor on a course that would meet the requirements of a student visa, and they cannot study at a state school, - If the visa holder finds suitable employment, he can be able to switch to various work routes from the Graduate route,
- No settlement is possible through this route nor can this be extended,
Bringing family would not be possible but the dependants already in the UK as a student dependant may apply as a dependant of a Graduate at the same time.
Visa switching
You as a Graduate visa holder can also switch to Skilled Worker Visa if you meet the certain requirements of the job offer, salary threhold, and English langauge proficiency. Switching to Skileld Worker Visa will help you extending your stay in the country and then in future apply for the permanent residency.
Basic requirements fot the new skileld worker visa are:
- Job offer required from recognized UK employer
- Low level of salary threshold (previously £30,000 but now will be £25,600).
- The ones who do not fulfill the salary threshold can also apply with a minimum salary threshold of £20,480 but they will have to show that their skills and job offer are from the shortage occupation list. Applicants will also be able to apply with an income threshold of £22,000 if they have a relevant Ph.D. in a STEM subject.
- Expansion of skills threshold. Previously only graduates were able to apply but now the ones having a qualification equivalent to A-Levels will be able to enjoy the ease of applying for a work visa.
- Those who cannot fulfill the requirements (especially the salary threshold) of 70 points for applying for a work visa, may still be able to enter the UK if they have a relevant Ph.D. in a STEM subject.
You can read here complete details of UK’s new Skilled Worker Visa.