Visa Routes Available to Inter

national Students in the UK Post-Graduation

Now that you have completed your coursework and graduation is quickly approaching, it can be intimidating to take the next step in your career, particularly if you are still a student. Thankfully, if you want to stay in the UK, you have a few choices for changing your visa.

1. The Graduate Visa

Congratulations on being close to finishing your education! A viable option if you’re thinking about living in the UK after graduation is the Graduate Visa. After completing a PhD, eligible students may extend their stay for an additional two or three years. You must be in the UK on a valid student visa or Tier 4 student visa, and you must have finished an approved course at an accredited UK institution to be eligible.

With this sort of visa, you can work in the UK and develop experience without having to get immediate sponsorship.

2. Skilled Worker Visa

After obtaining a Graduate Visa, are you considering switching to a Skilled Worker Visa? A great alternative if you want to carry on with your profession in the UK is the Skilled Worker Visa. For this visa, you must work in a job that is on the list of acceptable occupations and have an offer from an employer that has been approved by the Home Office.

The minimum income requirement, which varies based on your work and the date you obtained your Certificate of Sponsorship, must be met by the post. English language proficiency is also required. This five-year visa has an indefinite extension period, paving the way for eventual permanent residency in the UK through Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Exploring High-Potential Opportunities

Examining the Global Talent or Innovative Founder Visa pathways may be helpful for individuals who meet the requirements to be leaders or future leaders in their fields. These visas are intended to draw in highly qualified individuals and promote innovation and expansion in the UK. Every option has distinct benefits for foreign graduates in the UK, offering multiple avenues to prolong your stay and advance your career.

Why is the Graduate Visa vital for University Funding?

The study highlighted the popularity of the program by revealing that 14,000 Graduate Visas and 30,000 for dependents were issued in 2023 alone. It is essential to universities’ ability to provide a wider choice of courses and make up for budgetary shortfalls.

International students, primarily from China, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, made a substantial contribution to the financial stability of UK institutions by paying tuition and sponsoring research in addition to domestic students.

Supporting Strategic Goals

The Graduate route is in line with the government’s International educational plan, Professor Brian Bell (MAC Chair) stressed, and it helps attract talent from around the world to the UK’s top universities. The path contributes to the upkeep of a strong educational framework that is necessary to draw in elite international students, whose tuition is critical to these institutions’ ability to remain financially stable.

Policy Implications and Future Steps

Even with the encouraging results, others continue to criticize and advocate for a reassessment of the reliance on international students. Additional steps include mandating international recruitment agencies to register and forcing colleges to publish recruitment statistics, according to the British Chambers of Commerce and MAC. 

This path is essential for closing the skill shortages in the UK as well as for the education sector. The government’s decision to keep The Graduate Visa Route open may be crucial in striking a balance between immigration control and academic excellence.