Graduate Route Visa: How Study Abroad Students Can Remain in the UK

The graduate route visa allows students who study abroad in the UK to stay behind and work – or look for work – for at least two years. This route is open to all those who successfully complete a UK degree, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

This new immigration route was made available from 1 July 2021, allowing international graduates to kick-start their careers in the UK after they have finished their studies.

The new route, part of a points-based immigration system, is designed to help Britain attract the best talent from around the world and ensure that businesses can recruit the most highly qualified from across the globe to complement the skills already in the UK.

The graduate route allows you to work anywhere in the UK – from England and Scotland to Wales and Northern Island. It is also unsponsored, meaning that you do not need a job offer to apply to the route. There is no minimum salary requirement and there is no limit to the number of graduates that can apply. Additionally, graduates on the route can work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their careers as required.

Read below to get the basic details of the graduate route visa:

Who is eligible to apply?

The Graduate route is available to international students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above. To apply, you will need to have a valid tier 4 or student visa (the visa issued to you as a student in the UK) at the time of application.

You will also need to have completed the entirety of your course in the UK as a student, apart from permitted study abroad programmes or remote study due to COVID-19.

The route does not require you to show proof of funds or finance, and you do not need to demonstrate English language ability when applying, as you will have already proved your English language ability by successfully completing your degree at a UK university.

How much will you have to pay?

You will have to pay £700 to apply for the graduate route visa and you will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application. This gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service on generally the same basis as a UK permanent resident. The Immigration Health Surcharge costs £624 per year and the full amount needs to be paid when applying, meaning that you’ll need to pay £1248 for the two years you’ll be applying.

Any dependants of yours will also need to pay the application fee of £700, as well as the Immigration Health Surcharge.

When should you apply to the graduate route?

You can apply to the graduate route once your university has sent you your final course results, but not before this. Your university will need to confirm to UK Visas and Immigration that you have successfully completed your course before they can consider your application. You do not have to wait until you have graduated to apply.

Also, you must be in the UK when you apply. Those who apply from outside of the UK will be rejected and refused entry to the UK and could lose their eligibility to apply for the Graduate route as a whole. In addition, application fees may not be refunded.

You should not leave the UK or Common Travel Area whilst you are waiting for a decision on your application. Doing so may affect your eligibility for the graduate route and result in you being unable to re-enter the UK. 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.

How do you apply to the graduate route?

The application process will be slightly different to what you experienced when you first applied to study in the UK.
For the vast majority of applicants, the process will be entirely digital, and if your application is successful, you will be issued with an eVisa. You will start your application at gov.uk where you will create a UK Visas and Immigration account and use the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app to verify your identity.

To do this, you will need your Biometric Residence Card or Permit (BRC/P) if you were given one when you were granted your Student (or Tier 4) visa. Once you’ve successfully applied, you will be granted an eVisa. You will also be issued a Biometric Resident Permit for use when travelling in and out of the UK.

The ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app is free and is compatible with Android phones and iPhone 7 or newer models.
If you don’t own a compatible phone, you can use the app from a family or friend’s mobile phone. No information is stored on the phone or app after you close it.

Those unable to use the app will need to visit a UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services centre (UKVCAS) to complete the application process. You’ll be told how to book this when you apply. You will need the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from your current Student (or Tier 4) visa to apply under this route so make sure you have this to hand. If you don’t know your CAS number, contact your university. You do not need a new CAS to apply, you should use your existing one.

When can you expect a decision?

The processing times for applications vary depending on how you applied. If you prove your identity using the app, the processing time starts when your documents are uploaded. If you attend a UKVCAS centre, the processing time starts after you have attended.

Most people receive a decision within 8 weeks. If you have applied using the digital route, as soon as you get notification of the decision on your Graduate route application, you will be able to view your immigration status digitally (eVisa) and prove your rights in the UK. You will use your UKVI account credentials to sign into the online View and Prove service on gov.uk, which is where you can access your eVisa.

What are the conditions of the graduate route?

You cannot bring new dependants, but those who were already your dependants when you were a student may apply as your dependants at the same time you apply to the graduate route.

Furthermore, the graduate route is non-extendable and does not count towards settlement in the UK. However, if you find suitable employment, you will be able to switch from the graduate route into various work routes that can count towards settlement. For instance, you may be able to switch to the Skilled Worker route if you meet the relevant requirements. The skilled worker route allows you to stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. It is for a maximum of five years and it contributes to settlement rights – meaning you may be able to apply to live permanently in the UK.

The graduate route affords you the opportunity to stay back long enough to get these other opportunities, but it does not in itself count towards settlement rights.