Introduction
Since it was introduced in July 2021, the Graduate Route Visa has quickly become a main choice for working after finishing studies in the UK. In the year 2023, more than 60,000 international students were issued this visa. It means that students completing an eligible UK degree can choose to stay for 2 years to work, find a job, or study (or 3 years for PhD students) without having to get employer sponsorship.
Who Is Eligible?
Students qualified for the scheme must have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a UK Higher Education Provider that follows all regulations. They are only allowed to apply for their studies under either a Student or a Tier 4 visa. In 2023, the Home Office revealed that most Graduate Route grants were given to students from India, Nigeria, and China, while Indian students received more than 40% of these grants.
Career Opportunities after Graduation
Newly graduated people are free to work in any job and at any level, as much as they like. As a result, students are able to pursue careers in tech, healthcare, finance, and engineering. According to Universities UK, 72% of graduates from other countries used the Graduate Route to get valuable UK work experience.
UK companies benefit from this because they do not have to sponsor graduates immediately after recruitment. Because of this, companies raised their hiring of international graduate students in 2023 by 14% in important areas.
Pathway to Skilled Worker Visa and PR
Even though the Graduate Route does not result in permanent residency, it makes the next step easier for you. People who get paid at least £26,200 according to the skilled worker visa and have a job offer are allowed to switch over from another type of visa and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years.
Scouting out this path sensibly prepares anyone to do well in their UK career. In truth, 68% of those who used the Graduate Route by 2022 had switched to long-term work visas within a year and a half.
Final Thoughts
The Graduate Route Visa gives students the chance to grow professionally and succeed globally after completing their studies in the UK. It gives you plenty of freedom, as you do not need sponsorship, can find jobs easily, and can apply for permanent residency. By taking part in Agile Consultancy, students are provided strategies to help them get job-focused, successfully switch visas, and work while living permanently in the UK. We provide our extensive service of visa consultants in Ahmedabad for UK and help students grow, win, and achieve their dreams in the UK.