How To Get Post Study Visa In Uk
When thousands of students return home after studies abroad, they often get their post study visa revoked by the UK government. So all the hard earned money, the time, effort and patience goes down the drain.
Many students in UK fail to satisfy the strict requirement of UK Immigration laws, as a result they often suffer from numerous difficulties. One of the best ways to avoid any issues with authorities is to apply for a Post Study Visa. A Post Study Visa provides a valid solution for your stay in the Uk after you have completed your studies. The rules and regulations regarding Post Study Visas are strict and any error can prevent you from getting this type of visa.
A demand and supply gap has been created due to the rising demand for educational and migration perspectives by a relatively stable supply of study visas for overseas students. Although, this may not be much of an issue in an independent country like India, but it is definitely a nuisance for students from other countries. A number of students from other countries need to go through a long process in order to avail the study visa in UK. Below mentioned are some excellent ways for getting a resident permit in the UK.
How To Get Post Study Visa In Uk
Post study work category of visa is issued to those students who completed their course from UK Visas and Immigration approved the institution and got their degrees or diplomas. The graduates, who are willing to stay in United Kingdom after their graduation in order to continue working there, can apply for the visa.
Studying in the UK has many benefits, including the ability to stay and work in the country. To be eligible for a post-study work visa, you must be: a non-European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss national aged 18 or over at the start of their course, who will have started an eligible UK university level studies by September 2015.
The UK has come up with an initiative to make it easy for international students. The UK immigration authorities have made it easier for students who fail on the first attempt to clear the immigration tests.
Eligibility
You can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:
- you’re in the UK
- your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- you studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course
You can ask your education provider if you’re not sure whether they’ve told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course.
Check if your course is eligible and how long you need to have studied in the UK.
If you’re not eligible for a Graduate visa, you may be eligible for another type of visa to stay in the UK.
How long you can stay
A Graduate visa lasts for 2 years. If you have a PHD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
Check you can apply for another type of visa to stay in the UK.
How to apply
You must apply online.
Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
When to apply
You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed the course you took with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa. You do not have to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
Your application may take longer if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.
You can stay in the UK while you wait for a decision.
How much it costs
When you apply for a Graduate visa, you’ll need to:
- pay the £715 application fee
- pay the healthcare surcharge – this is usually £624 for each year you’ll be in the UK
If you work in public sector healthcare
If you’re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if you’re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. It’s cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.
If you get a job in public sector healthcare after you have paid the healthcare surcharge, you may be able to get a refund.
What you can and cannot do
With a Graduate visa you can:
- work in most jobs
- look for work
- be self-employed
- continue living in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible
- do voluntary work
- travel abroad and return to the UK
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- work as a professional sportsperson
If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Graduate visa.
Studying with a Graduate visa
You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa. If your course is eligible for a Student visa, you can extend your Student visa instead.