UK Visa

The Graduate Route Visa and Job Application Strategy for International Students

Are you an international student nearing graduation in the UK? Fret not about your post-study plans! The Graduate Route visa, also known as a Post-Study Work visa (PSW), is an excellent option for international graduates seeking to kickstart their careers in Britain. This visa allows you to stay in the UK and work or look for work after completing your studies. However, it may also come with some limitations.

What is the Graduate Route Visa?

The Graduate Route visa, launched in 2021, is a post-study work visa designed specifically for international students who graduated from UK universities. It is designed to attract talented international graduates to the UK workforce. It offers a two-year window (or three years for PhD graduates) to find employment or develop your career in the UK. Unlike other work visas, the Graduate Route doesn't require a pre-arranged job offer or sponsorship from an employer. This flexibility allows you to explore various opportunities and find the perfect fit.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the Graduate Route visa, you must meet the following criteria:

Be an international student currently enrolled on a valid Student (formerly Tier 4) visa with a higher education provider approved by the UK Home Office.
Have successfully completed a bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree (taught or research), or PhD at a UK university.
Apply from within the UK – applications from outside the UK are not accepted.

Benefits of the Graduate Route Visa

The Graduate Route visa offers a plethora of benefits for international graduates:

Work Flexibility: You can work in any sector or job role, regardless of the skill level. This allows you to gain valuable experience and build your resume in the UK.
Job Hunting: The visa provides you with ample time to search for a graduate role that aligns with your qualifications and career aspirations.
Career Development: You can use this time to network with professionals in your field, attend industry events, and develop your skills to become a more competitive candidate.
No Sponsorship Required: Unlike other work visas, you don't need a job offer with a sponsoring employer. This freedom allows you to explore various opportunities without limitations.

Things to Consider

While the Graduate Route visa offers some advantages, there are a few key points to remember:

Non-extendable: The Graduate Route visa cannot be extended beyond its validity period. In order to work in the UK for a longer term, before the expiry of your Graduate Visa, you need to switch to a different visa type that allows you to work in the UK. In most cases, this would be either a Skilled Worker visa or a Health & Care Worker visa.
Limited Dependants: You cannot bring new dependants to the UK with this visa. However, existing dependants on a Student visa can apply as dependants of a Graduate visa holder.
Limited Opportunities: Not all employers are aware of the Graduate Route visa, and due to the complexity and cost involved in sponsoring you after your visa expiry, many employers are reluctant to consider someone who is on a Graduate Route visa. You can simply filter for jobs that consider Graduate Route visa holders on our jobs board.
Not a Route to Settlement: The Graduate Route visa does not directly lead to permanent residency in the UK. However, you may be able to switch to a work visa with a path to settlement if you secure a suitable job after graduation.

Job Application Strategy

1. Target Skilled Worker Visa Roles:

Although a Graduate Route visa allows you to work in the UK without sponsorship, if it is your plan to work in the UK for the longer term, you need to prioritise jobs that offer Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visas. These roles often lead to sponsorship and a path to permanent settlement. Whether you are on a Graduate Route visa or not, you can target jobs that offer a Skilled Worker or Health and Care worker visa. We advise you to start applying for visa-sponsored jobs as soon as you start the final year of your study in the UK.

You can apply for Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa-sponsored jobs on UK Visa Jobs easily.

2. Start Early:

For many employers, hiring someone on a Student visa is preferable as it will be cheaper to switch someone from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker or a Health & Care Worker visa. Hiring someone on a Graduate Route visa can be more expensive. Therefore, start your job application journey as early as you can and try to secure a visa-sponsored job offer before applying for a Graduate Route visa.

3. Communicate Your Long-Term Commitment:

When you are applying for jobs, if an employer does not offer visa sponsorship immediately for a position but will consider sponsoring based on your performance, you can tell them that you will be eligible for a Graduate Route visa and can work without sponsorship for two or three years.

During interviews, express your desire to build a career in the UK. This demonstrates a long-term commitment that might be attractive to a potential sponsor. This will also allow employers to know that you would need visa sponsorship in the longer term and take this into consideration during the hiring process.

4. Highlight Your Strengths for Sponsorship:

Tailor your CV and cover letter to showcase skills and qualifications highly sought after in the UK job market. Research employer sponsorship requirements and emphasise how you meet those needs.

5. Network Actively:

Attend industry events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and reach out to alumni networks. Building connections can lead to hidden job opportunities and valuable insights.

6. Focus on Building a Strong Track Record:

Use the Graduate Route to gain relevant work experience. Exceed expectations in your role, demonstrate initiative, and showcase your adaptability and willingness to learn. Your employer may then offer you visa sponsorship or another job that may be eligible for visa sponsorship.

Applying for the Graduate Route Visa

Applications for the Graduate Route visa are made online via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. The process typically involves:

Creating a UKVI account or signing into an existing one.
Completing the online application form.
Providing supporting documents, such as your passport, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you have one, and proof of your academic qualifications.
Paying the application fee.
Attending a biometrics appointment (fingerprints and photograph) if required.

Conclusion

By taking advantage of the Graduate Route visa, international graduates can leverage their UK education and gain valuable work experience, paving the way for a successful career in Britain. However, the Graduate Route visa may also come with some limitations. On UK Visa Jobs, we tried to help job seekers create clarity and avoid the problems this visa may bring. You can always apply for jobs that sponsor a Skilled Worker or Healthcare Worker visa directly or target employers that accept graduate visa holders by using the relevant filter on our jobs board.