GRADUATE VISA
The graduate visa allows you to stay in the United Kingdom for up to 3 years after you complete your student visa course. You can work or look for employment during this time. It is only available to students who have completed an undergraduate degree or higher.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Stay in the UK for 2 or 3 years after your student visa ends, depending on your degree
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Work or be self-employed
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Study (unless the education provider is offering a course which would not usually require a CAS)
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Switched to a different route, such as the Skilled Worker visa
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Leave the UK and return throughout the validity of your visa
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Bring your family (dependants) unless they were here with you during your student visa
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Extend your graduate visa
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Switch to a student visa and apply for another 2 years on the graduate visa
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Claim public funds (benefits)
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Apply for settlement
WHAT YOU CAN'T DO
REQUIREMENTS
Valid Passport
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You must have a passport which is valid at the time you apply.
Student visa
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You must have last held permission to be in the UK as a student. You cannot apply if you had any other type of visa.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
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You will need your CAS reference number provided to you by your education provider at the time you applied for your student visa.
Successful completion of course
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You must be able to show that you have successfully completed your course. Your education provider will notify the UKVI of your status.
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You do not need to have graduated before applying for this visa.
The current application fee for a Graduate visa is £880.
You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year.
You can only stay in the UK for 2 or 3 years, depending on your previous course. It is not possible to extend your graduate visa.
TERM AND FEES
PROCESSING
Current processing times for a graduate visa applications is approximately 8 weeks.
There is no enhanced serviced available for a faster decision, but you can remain in the UK while your application is being processed.
Successful Application
If your application for a graduate visa is successful, your immigration status will be updated on your UKVI account.
Application Refused
If your application for a graduate visa is refused, you will receive a refusal letter outlining the reasons. There is no right of appeal but you may wish to consider an administrative review if you believe an error has been made.
OUTCOME
NEXT STEP
If you want to remain in the UK beyond your graduate visa, you can switch to another route which allows you to do so. The most common route to switch to is the Skilled Worker visa. You will need to have an employment offer from a sponsor who has the appropriate UKVI licence. Your employer can then sponsor you for up to 5 years to live and work in the UK. Alternatively, you may apply for another student visa or a family visa, if your circumstances make you eligible to do so.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Graduate visas can be complex, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the process or have a history of refusals. Mistakes can have a significant impact on future immigration applications to the Home Office, which means it is very important to have experts by your side who can make the process easier and give much needed confidence to make a strong application.
At Lace Law LLP, we offer comprehensive support throughout your graduate visa journey. From your initial consultation to the final decision, you will have a dedicated expert who will meticulously prepare your application, maintain regular communication, and promptly respond to any concerns along the way. We pride ourselves on this personal approach, which we feel not only provides a greater experience to you, but also increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Don't let the process be more stressful than it needs to be. Contact us today to have a dedicated partner by your side on your immigration journey.
