The Home Office has announced its intention to introduce a new 'Graduate route' to be launched in the summer of 2021, which will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years (or three years for PhD graduates) after they have completed their studies. The Graduate Route will allow international students to stay in the UK for two years after graduation (or three years for doctoral students) to work or find a job.
Advantages of Graduate Route
After they graduate in the UK, undergraduate and master's degree students can stay for two years and doctoral students can stay for three years. During this period, they will be able to work, or look for work at any skill level. However, training as a professional sportsman, doctor, or dentist is restricted.
The current 12-month Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES), which was offered to doctoral students in the UK, will be closed from the summer of 2021 at the point the new Graduate Route is introduced. The Graduate route significantly improves on the offer of the DES, providing an additional two years and a more streamlined pathway for those who have completed their PhD than the current route.
Who can apply?
This Route is available to students who must have tier 4 General student visas at the time of application and have successfully completed undergraduate or higher degrees during that period. Applicants must complete all degrees in the UK, except for the allowed learning programs, if Covid-19 requires distant learning.
Any eligible student who graduates in the summer of 2021 or after (but not before) will be able to apply for the route. This includes students who have already started their courses. If the students have already graduated before the summer of 2021 or if their Tier 4 General visa have expired, they are not eligible to apply for this visa.
Graduates whose dependants are already with them in the UK will be allowed to continue sponsoring family members who make an application for further leave at the same time.
Requirement
This route does not require maintenance requirement, and applicants do not need to demonstrate English language ability as they will already have proved English language ability by successfully completing a degree at a UK university. Applicants will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at the usual rate for the Points-Based System’s routes. This route will not have recourse to public funds.
Graduate Route will provide a great opportunity for future applicants who want to stay longer and find jobs after graduating from British universities.