For many wanting to work in the UK after their studies they will be looking at the Graduate visa (aka – Post Study Work visa) as their primary option to work in the UK, but there are other options and some may be better suited for you. This blog post will briefly consider the alternatives to the Graduate visa.
General guidance on the Graduate visa can be found on Queen Mary’s webpages.
The Skilled Worker visa is the most commonly issued visa to allow people to work in the UK and requires sponsorship from an employer. This visa may already be part of your long-term plans after a Graduate visa, but it could be possible you already have a job offer that comes with the option of Skilled Worker sponsorship and you could be considering switching straight to a Skilled Worker visa.
Below are some points to consider when making a decision.
Pros:
- If you hope to eventually apply for settlement in the UK time spent on the Skilled Worker visa counts towards the 5-year calculation, while no time on the Student of Graduate visas count (apart from in 10 year-long residence applications).
- It allows you to apply for a longer visa (up to 5 years).
- Unlike the Graduate visa it can be extended, and you can apply for it more than once.
- Allows for applications outside the UK.
- Your award result is not necessarily relevant, apart from being able to gain an employment offer.
- If the employer approves, you can study most courses while on the visa and alongside your work. The Graduate visa, however, does not allow for study on courses which are eligible for a Student visa.
- You can bring in new dependants into the UK to join you. With the Graduate visa you can only have dependants if they were already a dependant of your Student visa (with an exemption for babies born in the UK).
Cons:
- Ties you to one employer who sponsors the visa. If changing employer, it would need to be one that can also sponsor the visa and you would likely need to apply for a new visa.
- The initial application fee cost is higher.
- Not all jobs are eligible and an employer would have to have a sponsor license to be able to sponsor you for a visa.
- Depending on how long you have been in the UK when you apply, or if you’re applying from outside the UK, you may need to submit financial evidence for living costs. The Graduate visa does not require this evidence.
There are several other visa routes available in addition to these two, some that require sponsorship and others that do not. UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) have an excellent working after studies page which summaries all the options well and is essential reading before deciding if the Graduate visa is the best option for you.
If you do decide to opt for a different visa route do remember that it will not be possible to switch back to a Graduate visa, unless you later complete a new degree level course with a new Student visa.
QMUL International Advice 