How to Get a Post-Graduation Work Visa for UK

Have you completed your degree, and is your student visa expiring? How about renewing it for a post-graduation work visa? Before starting your dream job in the UK, you must tackle the tricky task of getting a post-graduation work visa; therefore, keep your head open since we will give you the complete information you need regarding getting your post-graduation work visa. However, at first, the process might seem mind-numbing and time-consuming, but its opportunities are unparalleled.

So, whether you have graduated or are still in the planning stage, this guide on getting a post-graduation work visa in the UK will help kick-start your career in the UK and make the most of it!

Steps on Applying for a UK Post-Graduation Work Visa

Here is your step-by-step guide to applying for a post-graduation work visa in the UK.

Step 1. Cross-Check Your Documents

Before rushing to the application, ensure you have all the required documents in hand to apply for the graduate work visa. These requirements usually require you to provide your passport, language proficiency test results, bank statement, proof of completion of studies, and your student visa. These requirements may slightly change for different applicants, so the best way to know about all the requirements is to consult with an immigration lawyer or gather some information provided on the UK government website.

Step 2. Fill out the Application Form

When applying for a UK post-graduation work visa, you must fill out your application with great attention. You can find the application form online on the UK government’s website and submit it from there. Typically, the application form requires you to provide your personal information, job plans, and study details.

Step 3. Pay the Fee

After you’ve entered all the necessary details, it’s time to pay the application fee, which is £822. Additionally, you must pay a health surcharge of £1,035 for each year you will be in the UK. If you are eligible for a graduate visa for two years, it will cost £2,070 and it will cost £3,105 for three years.

Step 4. Biometric Appointment

Once you have submitted your online application for a work visa, the subsequent step is to attend a biometric appointment where you must provide your fingerprints and photographs. You will receive instructions on booking the biometric appointment once you have submitted your online application.

Step 5. Wait for the Decision

The last or the longest part of processing your post-graduation work visa application is waiting for the final decision. You’ll usually get a decision within eight weeks. It is based on diverse factors, including the country you are applying from and the workload of the processing department. Hence, you must make haste in applying for your post-graduation work visa in the UK to avert any unwanted hold-ups. If your application gets approved, you’ll receive a notification via email informing you of the outcome of your application.

FAQs: Post-Graduation Work Visa for the UK

What Are the Eligibility Criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Visa in the UK?

The requirements to apply for a post-graduation work visa in the UK are as follows:

• The applicant has to be in the UK to apply for a graduate visa.
• Per the UK government’s rules and regulations, your current visa should be a student or general student visa.
• The candidate must be a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree holder from an institute recognized by a UK higher education provider.
• The institute from where you completed your degree should inform the Home Office that you have completed the course.
• You must be financially independent and do not need financial help to apply for a graduate work visa.
• You must be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English and at level B1 on the CEFR scale. You must also have a minimum of 78 TOEFL scores and 6.0 bands in IELTS.

What Are the Requirements to Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Visa in the UK?

When you’ve checked your eligibility, you must look for the following requirements to allow you to get the UK post-graduation visa:

• a valid passport or travel document confirming your nationality and identity.
• provide your Biometric Residence Permit(BRP.
• reference number of the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies(CAS) given to you when you applied for the student visa.
• If you are studying on scholarship or sponsorship, your provider must provide your application’s approval letter.

What is the Process for Extending a Post-Graduation Work Visa in the UK?

You cannot extend your postgraduate work visa in the UK, but your options continue. You can switch to a different visa, like a skilled worker visa, to stay longer in the UK. For this,

• You are required to apply before the expiration of your current visa.
• The Home Office must approve the job you currently have.
• You should be earning at least the minimum salary threshold.

Here are the documents and other requirements to apply for the skilled worker visa.

• First, you must pay the visa application fee and the healthcare surcharge for the year.
• Then you have to provide your biometric information(photograph, fingerprints).
• You also have to provide a scanned copy of your ID document, and you can use the ID Check app to scan the documents.

Usually, it takes almost two months to process the visa application. But if your documents need to be verified or you are required to give an interview, then it might take longer than two months.

How Can You Find a Job in the UK as an International Student?

Pursuing a job in the UK as an international student can present many challenges, but many attractive options are available. One of the most effective ways to access job opportunities is by tapping into your university’s career services department. They usually possess many relevant resources, including job listings and established links to potential employers. Additionally, online job boards such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor provide various opportunities to help you find a tailor-made job.

Currently, software developers, engineers, and professionals in the medical field are in high demand. However, given the cutthroat competition in the UK job market, it is imperative to tailor your resume and cover letter, highlighting your unique skills and experience, to stand out.

Whether you want to apply for a post-graduation work visa or an extension of a post-graduation work visa in the UK, it is a great chance to gain valuable work experience, explore the job market, and settle there. A graduate visa permits you to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing a course in the UK. If you have a Ph.D. or other doctoral qualification, it will last for three years. Therefore, you should immediately grab this opportunity if you meet the UK government’s eligibility criteria and requirements. So, tie up your buckles and prepare to do all the hard work!

We hope this article on how to get a post-graduation work visa in the UK was helpful. Also, check out the Study in the UK and Available Programs for International Students pages for more information about studying in the UK!