It has recently been announced the return of a Post Study Work Visa for international students. The previous Tier 1 Post-Study Work Visa was scrapped in 2012 as part of Theresa May’s overhaul of the UK’s immigration system. Similarly to the previous post-study visa route, the new 2-year visa will allow international students to remain in the UK after their student visa, in order to gain work experience in the UK. LEXVISA Immigration Lawyers London specialise in student and work visa applications and are happy to arrange a consultation with our specialist solicitors to discuss the future visa category.
What is the new Post Study Work Visa?
The new Post Study Work Visa will be open to all Tier 4 international students who have valid UK immigration status as a student and have successfully completed a course of study in any subject at undergraduate level or above at a Tier 4 Sponsor Licensed Higher Education Provider. The new Post Study Work Visa will launch for the 2020/2021 intake of students at university. After the two years, they will be able to switch into the skilled work visa if they find a job which meets the skill requirement of the route. Further details are said to be announced in due course.
The visa will offer opportunities to work or look for work after graduating. However, unlike the route which closed in 2012, this new route will also include safeguards to ensure only genuine, credible students are eligible. The new Post Study Work route is part of the UK’s continued plan to show the rest of the world they are looking for the “brightest and best” talent. The current Home Secretary Priti Patel has said:
“The new Graduate Route will mean talented international students, whether in science and maths or technology and engineering, can study in the UK and then gain valuable work experience as they go on to build successful careers. It demonstrates our global outlook and will ensure that we continue to attract the best and brightest.”
The UK is keen to make sure it remains one of the most attractive destinations for international students in the world.
What is the importance of the new Post Study Work Visa?
There are over 450,000 international students are currently studying in UK universities, of which almost two-thirds are from outside the EU so are likely on the Tier 4 student visa. Under the current Immigration Rules, Tier 4 students only have 4 months after their graduation to transfer to another UK visa category if they wish to remain in the UK. The most popular visa to switch into from the student visa are the Tier 2 (General) visa. However, the main downfalls to switching to either of these categories can be the length of time it takes to not only find a graduate job that will be willing to pay the minimum salary requirement but to then find an employer who can and is willing to sponsor and employ a non-settled worker. If the employer doesn’t already have a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence, then this process can then take even longer. Statistics show that over 100,000 international students do not extend their UK visa, with 97% leaving the UK on time. Having the Post Study Work Visa will allow international students more time in the UK, which will, in turn, contribute to the UK’s economy, universities and research. Therefore it is beneficial to both international students as well as the UK to allow them this opportunity to remain in the UK.
Using Legal Representation to submit a Post Study Work Visa application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration legal representatives to successfully assist you with an application to apply for a Post Study Work visa. Our solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your UK Visa application succeeds, our solicitors and barristers will ensure all specified documents must be provided.
The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successful Post Study Work Visa applications
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your prospects of submitting a Post Study Work Visa application before it even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of your UK Visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation to discuss a Post Study Work Visa.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.