PSW stands for Post Study Work Visa UK. The PSW visa, officially known as the “Graduate Route” in the UK, offers a fantastic opportunity for international graduates to stay in the UK after completing their degrees. Through the Graduate Route, graduates can remain in the UK for two or three years, depending on their degree level.
This visa makes it significantly easier for graduates to legally stay in the UK compared to other visa options. Moreover, the PSW visa benefits employers by enabling them to hire fresh talent without the complexities and costs associated with an employment sponsorship program.
If you’re interested in applying for a PSW visa or need more information, call our immigration solicitors today at 02033939272 to get expert advice and guidance on your next steps!
PSW visa holders can stay in the UK after studying for two years after completing a qualifying undergraduate or master’s degree to do post-graduation work or find employment.
After completing a PhD at a qualified institution, international students must stay in the UK for a specific three-year period to work or search for employment. Graduates can remain in the UK on a PSW visa without needing a Certificate of Sponsorship or sponsorship from an educational institution or company. Once they transition to a PSW visa, their educational institution no longer supports them as students.
While PSW visa holders can attend further education while in the UK, it cannot be at a school that sponsors students for the Tier 4 General student visa, so graduates on this visa cannot work as professional athletes.
When a student changes their visa to a PSW visa, any dependent family members who are currently residing in the UK legally may continue to live with them. New dependents cannot join the PSW visa holder in the UK from outside the country, with the exception of children born in the UK.
You cannot extend your stay in the UK through the Graduate Immigration Route, and it will not contribute to your settlement in the UK. In the section that follows, we discuss ways to extend your stay in the United Kingdom beyond the PSW visa.
In light of the new graduate route, the Doctorate Extension Scheme, which formerly allowed PhD graduates to remain in the UK for an additional year, is no longer valid.
The student must achieve 70 points under the points-based immigration system to be eligible for a UK Post Study Work Visa. After finishing a qualifying course of study in the UK, you receive points. The candidates must have to fulfil the following PSW visa requirements:
Scholarship-receiving international students need their home country’s government approval for a PSW visa to study in the UK.
Applicants applying for a post study work visa UK are not mandated to showcase English proficiency or meet specific financial criteria.
EEA or Swiss students in the UK with settled or pre-settled EU status don’t require a PSW visa. The PSW visa permits non-EU residents to stay in the UK without EU settlement authorisation.
Those who want to apply must have successfully finished a course that grants either:
All applicants must ensure that the degree course matches the one on their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). They must also have confirmation from the higher education institution that is funding them that they fulfil this requirement.
You are required to apply for the PSW visa online from inside the UK.
Graduate visa applications can be made once the sponsoring college or university informs the Home Office that the student has completed and passed their program. Applicants should submit their applications while their student visas are still active, not after they have graduated or received a certificate of completion.
The application fee for a PSW visa is £715. In addition, each applicant must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which amounts to £624 for each year of UK leave.
After your graduate route leave expires, you will need to apply for a different visa or leave to remain in order to continue in the UK lawfully.
Depending on the specifics, a variety of visa alternatives may be available for continued presence in the UK, such as employment or family-based visas.
If the post-graduation work is in a skilled position, they may be able to seek to change their visa to that of a skilled worker and stay in the country, as long as they meet all the conditions.
UK skilled worker immigration requires employment with a Home Office-sponsored company in an eligible role. On the government website, you may find a list of registered sponsors published by the Home Office.
Furthermore, they need to be able to satisfy the standards for the minimum wage. They should get a minimum salary of £26,200 or the ‘going rate’ for the position, whichever is greater. If the graduate’s salary is below £26,200 and the position is in a shortage profession, for example, they may still be eligible.
Settlement, or indefinite permission to stay in the UK is another goal of the Skilled Worker Visa. Applicants for permanent residency need five consecutive years of legal UK residence on a skilled worker visa.
The Innovator Founder Visa is one option to consider if you want to launch a company in the UK. A partner visa lets applicants enter the UK through ties with a permanent resident.
Get help from our seasoned immigration solicitors to understand your options for staying in the UK based on your situation.
Our immigration solicitors specialise in PSW (Post-Study Work) visa UK applications, offering expert guidance and support at every step of the process. The PSW visa allows international graduates to stay in the UK for two to three years, depending on their degree level, to work or look for work without the need for a sponsor.
Applying for a PSW visa can be straightforward, but it’s essential to meet specific criteria, such as having completed a degree from a recognised UK institution and holding a valid Tier 4 student visa at the time of application. Understanding the nuances of the application process, including timelines and supporting documents, is crucial to avoid any potential issues.
Given the importance of accurate and timely applications, professional legal advice can be invaluable. Our experienced solicitors are here to help you navigate the process smoothly. If you need assistance or wish to discuss your case with one of our experts, please get in touch with us or fill out the enquiry form below. Call now at 02033939272.
The “Post-Study Work” (PSW) visa, officially called the Graduate Route, allows UK graduates to stay in the country for an additional period after completing their degree. Graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can stay for two years, while those with a PhD are granted three years.
The application price for a UK PSW visa is £715. Additionally, you must pay the immigration health surcharge for each year of your stay.
From summer 2021, after completing a PhD, Master’s, or undergraduate degree, you can apply for a UK PSW visa. A college or university recognised by the UK’s Home Office must confer the degree.
A PSW visa obtained with an undergraduate or master’s degree is valid for two years. For those with a doctorate, the visa duration extends to three years upon successful application. To remain in the UK after the Graduate Route period, you must apply for a different visa category, as the PSW visa cannot be extended.
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