The PSW visa stands for ‘Post-Study Work’. The Graduate Route is the official name of the UK’s PSW visa.
Under the graduate route, overseas graduates & research students can apply for a PSW visa to stay in the UK for a set duration of two or three years, respectively, after finishing their education in the UK.
In comparison to other visa pathways, the PSW visa provides a simpler means for graduates to legally reside in the UK following graduation. For companies, the visa allows them to hire young graduates without incurring the expenditure and regulatory requirements of the employment sponsorship procedure.
In this guide to the UK’s PSW visa, we explain what this path entails and how to apply.
The United Kingdom not only has world-class educational institutions, but it also provides students with the best professional prospects available. This country is prospering in the fields of commerce, science, technology, healthcare, and education. As the world’s sixth biggest economy, the cost of living in the United Kingdom may be expensive, but it also offers a growing employment rate and promises an excellent quality of life in a diverse international environment. Therefore, overseas students apply for a post-study work permit in the UK, or PSW UK.
Surely, you, too, should consider living in the UK after completing your study. So, how can you obtain a post-study work visa in the UK? Explore our comprehensive guide to obtaining a work visa after studying in the UK. Let us begin!
The PSW visa, often known as the ‘Graduate Immigration Route’, allows:
International students who complete an undergraduate or Master’s degree at an accredited university can stay in the UK to work or search for job for a duration of two years after finishing their studies.
International students completing a PhD at an accredited university can stay in the UK to work or search for jobs for a period of three years after finishing their studies.
Graduates residing in the UK on a PSW visa do not need to be sponsored by a college, university, or employer, nor do they require a Certificate of Sponsorship. Once a graduate transfers to a PSW visa, they are no longer supported as a student by their educational institution.
When the primary visa holder moves to the PSW visa, family members who are already legally present in the UK as dependents of a student visa holder will be permitted to remain as dependents. Aside from children born in the UK, new dependents will be unable to join the PSW visa holder in the UK from outside.
The visa cannot be extended, and time spent in the UK via the Graduate Immigration Route does not contribute towards settlement. Later in this blog, we will look at alternatives for remaining in the UK after obtaining a PSW visa.
Let’s start by understanding why overseas students apply for a post-study work visa in the UK:
The United Kingdom is home to several prominent organizations, like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Meta, who welcome varied talent from all over the world and provide rewarding employment opportunities.
The current unemployment rate in the United Kingdom is only 4.3%, and it is falling rapidly. As a result, you won’t have to worry about being unemployed while in the UK.
In the United Kingdom, employees work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will also be eligible to 28 days of paid leave each year. There are several part-time occupations available in the UK that you might pursue in your spare time.
You are likely to thrive and develop new skills in one of the world’s strongest economies. Your career will not only be financially gratifying, but it will also allow you to build skills that will undoubtedly benefit your professional and personal development.
When applying for a post-study work permit or graduate visa, you will need to:
With a Post-Study Work Permit or Graduate Visa, you can:
You are unable to:
Note: You can only study with a graduate visa if your intended course isn’t approved for a student visa; otherwise, you have to extend your student visa if your course qualifies for one.
To qualify, applicants need to have finished a course that grants either:
The applicant’s Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and degree course must match. Furthermore, confirmation that they fulfill this condition must come from their sponsoring higher education provider.
Working in the United Kingdom will undoubtedly provide you with opportunities to attain all of your goals. The new Graduate Route might be the ideal option for you to stay in the UK for two years after finishing your studies with no trouble. Furthermore, if you want to seek permanent residency in the UK, you can apply for a UK work permit after finishing your studies, such as the Skilled Worker Visa.
The United Kingdom is renowned for its multiculturalism, attributed to its substantial immigrant population, which might facilitate your integration. Having acquired all the essential details about the UK Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for studying and working in the UK, it is time to progress and open the door to a promising future for yourself.
Contact our counsellors/destination experts if you require personalised handholding for the entire process of studying in the UK.
Yes, the UK Graduate Immigration Route requires a fresh application. Graduate Immigration Route applicants need a valid Tier 4 student visa as a prerequisite.
The Graduate Immigration Route is only available when your university notifies the Home Office of your final degree or completion of study program.
The Graduate Immigration Route is non-extendable and will not help you settle in the UK. It is the Skilled Worker Visa that can help you settle in the UK provided you meet the requirements and find a job.
On an average, it takes 8 weeks.
You can work in the UK for two years with a Graduate Immigration visa and then apply for a skilled worker visa after obtaining a full time role at an approved organization in the UK.
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