UK Business & Work Visa Options For Graduates

In this blog, we will be discussing various work and business visa options available for graduates.

 

What is A Graduate Visa?

If you are an eligible degree holder in the UK, you can work or look for work after your graduation degree. You can also stay for up to 2 to 3 years to complete a Ph.D. or doctoral course.

You could be qualified to apply for a graduate visa if you fulfil the following requirements:

• Must have permission as a student.
• The Home Office must be notified by the sponsor that you have completed the course of study.
• You must have completed a UK degree or other eligible course
• Your education provider must hold a track record of compliance as a licensed sponsor
• You must not be refused on the grounds of suitability

For more information on Graduate Visa check the link in the description box.

https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa

What is A High Potential Individual Visa?

On 30 May 2022, the High Potential Individual Visa was introduced to attract international students from leading universities to come to the UK for work or to look for work. This route is not sponsored and does not lead to settlement.

A person is considered eligible if he meets the following requirements:

• An applicant must have a qualifying degree not more than 5 years before the date of application.
• An applicant must be awarded a degree from a university that is on the Global Universities List.
• Ecctis must confirm that your qualification meets a recognised standard of UK bachelor’s or UK postgraduate.

 

What is A Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa?

Under The Global Business Mobility —Graduate Trainee Visa, the applicant can come to the UK temporarily for a graduate training course that can lead them to a senior managerial or specialist role. This is a new route replacing the Intra–Company Trainee Visa route. The following requirements must be met in order to qualify for the Global Trainee Visa :

• The applicant must be 18 years old or older.
• The applicant must be working for an overseas company for at least 3 months before applying
• The company must link to the UK company via company ownership or control or by a joint venture in which you are sponsored to work.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must be issued by the UK sponsor or the job you are planning to do
• The job must be genuine and is at an appropriate skill level.
• The salary must be either equal to or above £23,100 per annum and 70% of the occupation’s pro-rated going rate, depending on whichever amount is higher.

The applicant must hold monetary funds of £1270 to support themselves without dependence on public funds unless the applicant was residing in the UK for 12 months with permission prior to applying.

What is The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?

Under the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, young people belonging to participating countries can live in the UK temporarily for a period of 2 years. This route does not lead to settlement and the applicant does not need a sponsor for this visa route.

An applicant must belong to participating countries and must be 18 to 30 years at the time of application. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Monaco, or San Marino are considered eligible to apply whereas applicants who are either a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, or a British National (Overseas) are also qualified to apply.

Individuals from Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, or India can also apply but they must be selected and issued an invitation to apply for Youth Mobility Scheme. Indian citizens will be guided further.

 

What is A Start-up Visa?

Applicants who wish to start a business for the first time in the UK can apply via a Start-up Visa. This visa would be valid for 2 years and will not lead to settlement.

An applicant can be eligible for a Start-up visa if they are endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body. The link to access the endorsing bodies is in the description box.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/endorsing-bodies-start-up/start-up).

The applicant applying for a start-up visa must have a viable, innovative, and scaling idea for the business. The applicant must meet the English language requirement and must be competent in English at a minimum of CEFR level B2.

In order, to remain in the Innovator category, the applicant must hold minimum funds of £1,270 for self-support and must be residing in the UK for 12 months with permission.  After 2 years, the applicant can apply for leave to remain in this category.

What is Skilled Worker Visa? 

Skilled Worker Visa is one of the popular routes by which the Student Visa applicant can switch to a Skilled Worker Visa. But if the applicant is on a short-term student visa, they cannot switch to a Skilled worker Visa.

In order to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, the applicant must have the following:

• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned by the sponsor
• The sponsor must be registered with the Home Office and have a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
• The job you will be doing must be genuine
• There should be a genuine vacancy at an appropriate skill level
• You must have funds of a minimum of £1,270 for self-support without relying on public funds.
• You must be competent in the English Language with at least CERF level B1
• The sponsor must willing to confirm on the CoS that they will meet the maintenance cost for the first month of your employment

What Are Temporary Work Routes?

There are various options available regarding the Temporary Work Route. Such as, the applicant can apply for Creative Worker Visa if they are planning to stay in the UK for up to 12 months for short-term work in the creative sector.

 

What is the Scale-up Visa?

Scale-up visa is introduced by the Home Office in order to help businesses to recruit skilled individuals to enable the business to grow. On 22 August 2022, this route will be open. This route can lead to settlement.