Discussion on the Graduate Visa

#Graduatevisa #graduate

The "Graduate" visa https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa allows graduates of British universities to stay in Britain for additional 2 years (3 years for those who have obtained a PhD degree) after completing their studies. This enables them to gain work experience and apply the knowledge acquired at university. Additionally, 2 years can be sufficient to establish themselves professionally with an employer, who often decides to apply for a sponsor licence, allowing the "Graduate" to switch to a work visa (Skilled Worker).

The opportunity to apply for a graduate visa attracts many students studying in Britain, thereby increasing the overall attractiveness of British higher education. As is well known, international students pay significantly higher fees than British and settled students.

In early spring 2024, a discussion began in Parliament about closing or revising the Graduate route in order to further reduce immigration to the UK. However, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which was asked to review this visa category, recommended keeping the Graduate Visa in its current form.

As a result of this discussion involving the Migration Committee https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/migration-advisory-committee and representatives of prestigious higher education institutions in the UK with the government, the Graduate visa continues to remain in effect. However, it was announced that the issue remains under review, which means that further changes may follow in the future.

For those who come to the UK to study and plan to stay here to work after graduation, the Graduate Visa is a good option to gain experience and find a job in their field, which will allow them to later switch to visas leading to settlement.

In April this year, the government raised the minimum salary threshold for specialists applying as “Skilled Workers” from £26,200 to £38,700 per year, which makes the job search process for graduates more challenging.

At our firm First Class Initiative (FCI) processing sponsor licences and work visas is one of the key areas. No less than 50% of employers obtain sponsor licences so that an employee who was initially hired on a Graduate Visa can continue to work at the company and switch to a Skilled Worker Visa.

If you have any questions about work visas or any other visas, you can always contact me

By phone/WhatsApp: +44 7523 281911,

Email: info@fcimm.co.uk,

Over contact form on my website: https://www.fcimm.co.uk/contact.