5 March 2021
Applications for the new graduate immigration route for international students in the UK will open from July 1st, the UK Home Office announced on Thursday March 4th.
This is great news for international students from countries such as India who are now eligible to apply for a post study work visa in the UK after completing their undergraduate or postgraduate studies.
The Graduate Immigration Route does not require sponsorship from employers in the UK, meaning applicants will not need a job offer to apply for this route. There will be no minimum salary requirements nor caps on numbers. Graduates on the route will be able to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career as required.
The Graduate Route Visa which was announced last year by Home Secretary Priti Patel as part of the new point based immigration system for international students was confirmed in the UK parliament this week. International students who started studying in the UK from academic year 2020-21 will now have the opportunity to continue to live and work in the UK and gather valuable work experience.
Kevin Foster, Minister Future Borders and Immigration said that the UK wants international students who aspire for a high level career in business, science, arts and technology should now find the country as a natural place to fulfill their aspirations. He further added, “The changes announced today will ensure once they have received a gold standard qualification from one of our world leading education institutions, they can easily secure the status they need to continue living, working and fulfilling their dreams in the UK”.
Due to fresh coronavirus travel restrictions imposed at the start of this year, the UK Home office has announced an extension of the grace period given to international students to arrive in the UK. International students who have already begun their undergraduate or postgraduate studies remotely at UK universities can now reach the UK latest by June 21st.
The deadline for international students to be physically present in the UK in order to be eligible for the new graduate route post study visa has been extended from the earlier deadline of April 6th for academic year 2020-21 students. For students who began their studies in the UK in January or February 2021 have until September 27th to be in the UK physically to become eligible for the new post study work visa which will allow them to stay back and work in the UK for upto two years.
If you want to get more information about the UK Graduate Immigration Route and Post Study Work Visa for Indian students, speak to our UK visa experts today!
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