Recently, education.com ranked the UK as the best place in the world to study, and this is no surprise if you have been keeping tabs on the country’s educational system.
The UK has some of the best universities and colleges anywhere in the world.
From the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), the University of Edinburgh, and King’s College London, there is so much quality in the country.
However, students aren’t only attracted to the UK’s quality education, the country’s law allows international students to stay back after graduating.
You see, the UK offer international students the opportunity to change their student visas to a work permit after completing their studies.
This way, students who are in love with the country can stay and pursue a career here.
If you’re one of these students and wish to change your student visa to a work permit, this guide will walk you through the process.
As a soon-to-graduate international student, who loves the idea of building a career in the UK, (and being a part of its community), the country has options for you to move from the classroom to the workplace, if you’re eligible.
Can you get a work visa while on a Student visa in the UK?
In the UK, you cannot simultaneously hold a Student visa and a work visa (like a Skilled Worker visa).
However, there are options to work either while on a Student visa (part-time job) or after your studies (full-time job) through a post-study work visa.
How can I change my student visa to a work permit in the UK?
To change from a student visa to a work permit in the UK, you can go through the Graduate Route or the Skilled Worker Visa pathway.
Each of these routes has separate eligibility requirements, and you must meet them before a possible switch.
Tip: You can’t apply for a Graduate visa and a Skilled worker visa at the same time, you can only go for one.
To effectively change, check the route (Graduate Route or the Skilled Worker Visa) that you qualify for.
Step 1: Check if you’re eligible to switch
Graduate route: This route suits you if you’ve completed an eligible degree at a recognized UK institution and hold a valid student visa.
Through the graduate route, you’ll get your post-study work visa, this is why this route is often referred to as the “post-study work visa”.
The visa enables international students to stay and work in the UK after completing their studies.
With it, you can work for two years if you are a degree holder or you hold other acceptable certificates.
If you are a Ph.D. graduate, you have the option to stay for three years.
In addition, the Graduate Route does not require sponsorship from a UK employer.
Plus, you’re free to work in any job or at any skill level during your stay.
While on the Graduate Route, you can decide to switch to other work visa categories.
Skilled worker visa: If you don’t qualify for the graduate route, you can consider the Skilled Worker Visa, which requires sponsorship from a UK employer.
It is also point-based, and to be eligible, you must score a minimum of 70 points based on the following:
- Job offer: You can score 20 points for having a job offer from an approved sponsor.
- Appropriate skill level: Ensure your job is at the required skill level (Gives 20 points too).
- English language proficiency: You’ll get 10 points for language proficiency.
- Salary threshold: Your salary should meet the minimum threshold (20 points).
In addition, the skilled worker visa does not require your prospective employer to conduct a resident labour market test.
This means the employer is not required to advertise the job vacancy to UK residents before offering it to you (a foreign worker).
Go through the eligibility requirements of each route and know if you’re eligible for at least one.
Choose the route for which you qualify the most.
Eligibility requirements for the Graduate route:
To be eligible for the Graduate Route, you must:
- Complete an eligible degree program: You must complete a degree at a recognized UK higher education institution. The course should lead to the award of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D.
- Valid student visa: You must have a valid student visa at the time of applying for the Graduate Route. This means you need to apply for the route when your student visa is still valid.
- Residing in the UK: You should be in the UK when applying for the Graduate Route – you cannot apply from outside the UK.
- English language proficiency: Lastly, demonstrate your proficiency in the English language.
Eligibility requirements for the skilled worker visa
For the skilled work visa, you need to get:
- A job offer from an approved sponsor: For the Skilled Worker Visa, you must get a job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid sponsor license. If your employer doesn’t have a valid sponsor license, your application will not be approved. If you have a job offer, your employer will provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- Appropriate skill level: Your job role must meet the required skill level as defined in the UK’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
- English language proficiency: Just like in the graduate route, you also need to demonstrate your English language proficiency level here.
- Salary threshold: Your job offer must meet the minimum salary requirement and the required skill level.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Each route requires different t documents. For the skilled work visa, you need the following documents:
- Certificate of sponsorship (CoS): It holds information about the job and your details. Your employer will provide this.
- Proof of English proficiency: Evidence that you can speak, read, write, and understand English at least at level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. You can do this in different ways:
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- Passing an approved English language test.
- Having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognized by UK NARIC like a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD.
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- Proof of your identity: A valid passport is fine
- Job details: Information about your job in the UK, like job title, occupation code, and salary.
- Financial evidence: Proof that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK. This is usually £1,270, and you must have this at least 28 consecutive days before you apply. Your sponsor can also certify your maintenance.
- Criminal record certificate: If you are working in some jobs, like education, healthcare, or therapy, get your criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
- Tuberculosis test results: If you are from a country where you have to take the test.
- Proof of qualifications: Evidence of your academic qualifications if they are required for the job.
- Application form: Fill out the visa application form.
Documents required for the graduate route include:
- Current passport or other valid travel document: This is necessary to prove your identity and nationality.
- Biometric residence permit (BRP): If you were given a BRP when you were granted your most recent leave.
- Confirmation of completed qualification: Proof that you have completed an eligible course at a UK school.
- Confirmation of your student or Tier 4 visa: You must currently hold a valid Student or Tier 4 (General) visa to apply.
- Reference number from confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS): This was issued when you applied for your Student or Tier 4 visa. You do not need to provide the CAS itself, but the reference number will be useful.
- Proof of relationship: If you are applying with dependents (partners or children), include evidence of your relationship.
- Proof of funds: There is no need to show financial evidence (proof of funds) when applying for the Graduate Route.
- Application Form: A completed visa application form.
Step 3: Submit your application
Upon confirming your documents and choosing which route to apply for, submit your application.
Application is done online through the UK immigration website.
Visit the official UK government website to apply. Fill out the application form and provide the required information.
After filling out the application form, submit and pay the application fee.
The application fee will be stated in the application form.
Step 4: Do your biometric
In some cases, you’ll be asked to go for biometric collection.
There, you’ll provide your fingerprints and photographs.
It doesn’t happen all the time, so, check the application guidelines to see if this step applies to you.
Step 5: Wait for a reply
After submitting your application, wait for the Home Office to process your request.
The processing times differ but you’ll get a decision within a few weeks to a few months.
FAQs
What are the eligibility criteria for the Graduate Route?
To be eligible for the Graduate Route, you must have completed an eligible degree at a recognized UK institution, hold a valid student visa, be in the UK at the time of application, demonstrate your English language proficiency, and meet the financial requirements.
How long does it take to get a decision on the Graduate Route application?
It takes 1 to 6 weeks to get a decision for the Graduate Route application, this timeframe will increase if your application is not complete at the time of submission.
Can I switch to the Skilled Worker Visa from the Graduate Route?
Yes, if you are on the Graduate Route and later find a job with a UK employer who is willing to sponsor you, you can switch to the Skilled Worker Visa.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the Graduate Route?
No, a job offer is not required for the Graduate Route. You can apply when you complete an eligible degree at a recognized UK institution.
As a student in the UK, if you’re interested in staying back after your studies, you can simply switch from your student visa to a work visa by following the steps above and continue to stay in the country.
The UK has become a home to students from all over the world and we do hope you enjoy your stay.
