It is not enough for many international students to get their UK degree, many want to work with their degree before going back to their home country while others want to pursue other endeavours like entrepreneurship. Many students wish to get the UK work experience before leaving after their study, however many are unable to get a sponsor for skilled worker visa before the end of their visa. This is one of the issues the graduate visa attempt to address.

The Graduate visa also known as the Post-study work visa gives international students the opportunity to pursue these goals whatever that maybe after the completion of their study.

A Graduate visa lets applicants stay in the UK for at least 2 years after the completion of their study in the UK, however, they must be in the UK when they apply. Some of the requirements are listed below:
• You should still be in the UK when applying
• your current visa must be a student visa
• you studied a UK bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, a PhD or doctorate

The visa lasts for 2 years and 3 years for a PHD or other doctorate qualification.

When to apply

You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires. You can apply after your university has confirmed your degree to the Home Office that you have successfully completed the course that you took with your student visa. So, you do not have to wait for your graduation or wait for certificate to be issued.

Documents Required

Some of the documents required during application will include but are not limited to the following depending on individual circumstances:
• BRP,
• valid passport and certificate (if available),
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when you applied for your Student visa
• proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they are applying with you
• a letter from your scholarship or sponsorship provider approving your application, if they paid for your course fees or living costs in the last 12 months

Decision

After application submission and upload of documents, applicants should usually get a decision on their visa within 8 weeks.

Costs

• Visa application fee - £715
• Healthcare surcharge - usually £624/year
• Therefore 2 years =(£624 x 2)= £1,248
• 3 years =(£624 x 3) = £1,872

Advantages: here are some of the advantages and opportunities you can explore with a Graduate visa
• The application is easy and straightforward
• Successful applicants can work in most jobs
• Successful applicants can do voluntary work
• Applicants do not have to be sponsored like in the case of skilled worker visa
• Successful applicants can be self-employed
• Applicants can continue to live in the UK with their dependents if they are eligible
• Successful applicants can travel in and out of the UK within their visa duration

Disadvantages:
• Application fee is expensive
• Short visa duration when compared to Tier 2 visa
• It does not count towards settlement or Indefinite leave to remain
• Graduate visa cannot be extended
• Successful applicants cannot apply for public funds or the State Pension
• Successful applicants cannot work as a professional sportsperson

Are you a fresh graduate looking to gather work experience in the UK in order to amplify your CV or just a graduate still undecided on the path to choose between employment and entrepreneurship after your study, the graduate visa affords you the opportunity to stay in the UK after your study while you figure these things out. Although, Graduate visa cannot be extended, applicants can however, extend their stay by applying for other available visa route which may also count towards settlement.