Also known as the postgraduate visa, the graduate visa for the UK grants permission to individuals who have successfully completed their studies in the UK to remain in the country for up to two additional years. If you hold a PhD, you may stay for up to three years #1.
This visa cannot be extended, but you may apply for another visa, such as the skilled worker visa. Additionally, you can apply for a visa for your partner and children. For dependent family applications, we recommend reading our article on the subject.
Requirements #1 for the Graduate Visa for the UK:
- You must be in the UK to submit the application.
- Your current visa must be a student visa.
- You completed a bachelor’s, postgraduate, or other course in the UK while holding a student visa.
- Your university or college must notify the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.
- You must have studied for at least 12 months if your course lasted 12 months or longer #2.
- You must have completed the course if it lasted less than 12 months #2.
For calculating your study time in the UK, it starts from when your educational institution required your presence in the country, including lectures, tutorials, mandatory meetings with your tutor, etc. So, if you went back to your home country after a year of study for a vacation, that year still counts as study time.
The university, college, or education provider must be an authorized sponsor and have an intact “track record of compliance.” You can check the compliance record of each institution at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-students.
Eligible Courses for the Graduate Visa in the UK:
To apply for this visa, you must typically have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in the UK. However, you may also apply if you completed:
- A law conversion course approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
- A legal practice course in England or Wales, solicitor training in Northern Ireland, or a diploma in Legal Practice in Scotland.
- Legal practice as a solicitor in England and Wales.
- A medicine or dentistry program.
- A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
- A Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
You may also apply for this visa if the course you completed is eligible for a job regulated by UK law or public authorities. Your educational institution can tell you if the course qualifies.
Process #3:
- Submit the application online.
- Submit all necessary documents.
- Pay the application fee of £715 #4.
- Pay the healthcare surcharge, which costs £624 per year. For a 2-year stay, you must pay £1,248, and for a 3-year stay, £1,872. However, if you work in the public healthcare sector, you may be eligible for a refund of this surcharge #4.
- Wait for confirmation. The decision typically takes 8 weeks, but the UK government may need more time to make a decision or review the documentation. In that case, they will notify you #3.
Documentation #5:
- A valid passport or travel document to verify your identity.
- The biometric residence permit obtained during your previous visa application.
- The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number, which will be provided by the educational institution where you studied.
- Proof of relationship with your partner or children (if you applied with them).
- If you have a scholarship or sponsor that covered your living costs in the last 12 months, they must submit a letter approving your new application.
Note:
- The immigration center may request additional documents.
- If the documents are not in English or Welsh, they must be translated.
Bibliography:
#1 https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa
#2 https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/course-you-studied
#3 https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/apply
#4 https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/how-much-it-costs