Introduction to the UK Post-Study Work Visa

UK post study work visa under the TIER-4 visa route has been introduced by the UK government for those international students studying in the UK who want to work in the UK soon after completing their studies. Those international students would be allowed to stay in the UK for a time period of 2 years for work purposes. This lately introduced UK graduation route has facilitated a great number of international students in terms of yielding big opportunities relevant to their professional career. This UK post-study work visa is applicable to all those international students who would initiate their study in autumn 2020 or afterwards under the TIER-4 visa route. UK post-study work visa is applicable for the undergraduate (Bachelor), post-graduate (Master) and even PhD graduates. Whereas during that post-study duration, UK post-study work visa holders would be allowed to stay in the UK while seeking for any kind of job that may ultimately get them switch their visa type to general work visa.

Eligibility for attaining the UK post-study work visa:

Any international student studying at a UK institution under the TIER-4 visa from autumn semester, 2020 and onwards would be eligible for applying for the UK post-study work visa. It is primarily an extension of an already issued visa policy in 2019 according to which PhD students would have been allowed to stay in the UK for seeking a job after completing their degree while they would be graduated from one of the many higher education providing institutions recognised as licensed visa sponsors.

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    Validity duration of the UK post-study work visa:

    The time period allowed under the UK post study work visa is of 2 years in order to find suitable job in the UK during that time span. Also, there are currently no chances for this kind of visa to get extended, but the UK post study work visa holders may likely to get their visa kind switched with the UK general work visa, for instance, they may get transitioned into the skilled work route in case of having an appropriate employment that would have to fulfill the criteria of the skilled work route.

    Process of the UK post study work visa:

    In order to attain the UK post-study work visa, the international students would be needed to submit an application for it prior to the TIER-4 visa expiry date. There would be a fee required for the application submission of UK post study work visa that has yet to be decided. Moreover, the application process needs to be carried out within the country. In addition to the visa application fee, the UK post-study work visa holders would be demanded to pay the ‘Immigration Health Surcharge’ similarly to other UK immigrant categories.

    As far as the sponsor requirement is concerned, it is not applicable in case of the UK post-study work visa under TIER-4 visa route unlike all other UK visa categories. The universities are not supposed to act as a sponsor for the international students after completing their studies. However, the university from which the UK post-study visa holder would be graduating from is demanded to be legally recognised by the UK government and must be included in the list of “Licensed Sponsors” given by the British government itself.

    Impact of Brexit on the UK post study work visa:

    Brexit, which mainly refers to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (EU), has visibly imparted a great effect on those international students that belong to the EU states in terms of their rights’ amendments. The newly introduced UK post-study work visa has been deemed to be a responsive strategy after Brexit especially in order to assure that UK universities would still be the centre of the qualitative education for the foreign talented students opening the doorway to a great number of career opportunities for them. The UK post-study work visa is primarily for the international students with TIER-4 visa. However, the qualifying capacity of the foreign students belonging to the EU may be similar to any other foreign student on the grounds of being TIER-4 visa holders, but still the definitive decisions regarding the rights of EU students in the UK are still not confirmed being dependent on the post-Brexit agreements between the EU and the UK. While the EU students are currently given the status of ‘Home Students’ in the UK as they are allowed to have employment in any kind of work field, but it may vary according to the revised policy regarding both Brexit and UK post-study work visa.

    Objective behind introducing UK post study work visa:

    The UK has successfully captivated the attention of a multitude of international students with its remarkably eminent universities that offer the students with considerable high-quality education as well as enhanced practical approach. Along with providing the perfect academic guidance to the students in their respective fields, the UK universities are also highly involved in making them efficient in their respective professional fields as well. After introducing the UK post-study work visa, this exceptionally significant feature further escalates to a step forward as the international students along with the native ones would be allowed to seek employment and further career opportunities in the UK in order to build a strong career base. After the 2-years duration of this UK post-study work visa under the TIER-4 visa route, the UK post study work visa holders may also apply to switch for the UK general work visa under the skilled worker route or in case of finding any other appropriate employment that would meet the criteria requirements of the concerned immigration policy.

    FREQUENTLT ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

    When the UK post-study work visa would become applicable?

    The UK post study work visa policy would come into effect from September, 2020 and onwards.

    Which students can apply for the UK post study work visa?

    The international students studying in the UK under the TIER-4 visa route would be eligible to apply for the UK post-study work visa after having completed their academic degree.

    For how much time period the UK post-study work visa retains its validity?

    The UK post-study work visa would be valid for 2 years after the degree completion by the international student.

    Can I extend my UK post study work visa?

    No, the UK post study work visa cannot be extended according to the current terms and conditions of the UK visa policy, however, you may switch to UK general work visa in case of finding any appropriate job meeting the essential requirements of the UK immigration and work policy.