The UK government recently announced proposals for a new two-year ‘Graduate’ visa route for Tier 4 international students wishing to remain in the UK in order to seek employment after graduation.

The Graduate visa route will allow eligible students to work, or look for work, in any career or position of their choice, for two years after completing their studies. This two-year time period is a significant increase from the current period of 4 months that existing Tier 4 students are permitted.

The Graduate visa route will be open to all international students who have valid leave to remain in the UK and have successfully completed a course of study in any subject at undergraduate level or above, at an approved UK higher education provider with a proven track record in upholding immigration checks and due diligence procedures as Tier 4 licensed sponsors.

The new proposals have been welcomed by both universities and international students especially, as their will be no limit on the number of students who will be able to apply for the new Graduate visa route.

Although no formal date has been announced, it is likely that the new Graduate visa route will be introduced for international students enrolling in the 2020/2021 academic year.

Further guidance and visa requirements will be published by UK Visas and Immigration in due course.

If you do have any questions about the new Graduate visa route or in relation to a UK Tier 4 (General) student visa, please contact our immigration team on 0161 826 6922.