Applications for UK post-study work visa to open in July

Students will be able to apply for the new post-study work visa from 1 July 2021, the UK government has announced. 

The visa is open to international students who successfully complete a degree at undergraduate level or above in the UK and allows them to stay in the country to work or seek work for two years. This is extended to three years for doctoral students. 

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Graduates will not need a job offer to apply for the visa and there is no minimum salary to be eligible. Graduates on the route will be able to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career as required, according to the UK Home Office. 

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Time limits for international students who have been unable to travel to the UK because of the pandemic have also been extended to make them eligible for the graduate route.

Students who started their degrees in autumn 2020 will have until 21 June 2021, rather than the original date of 6 April 2021, to enter the UK in order to be eligible for the post-study work visa.

Students who commenced their degrees in January or February 2021 will need to be in the UK by 27 September 2021.

UK chancellor Rishi Sunak has also announced that a “new, unsponsored, points-based visa to attract the best and most promising talent in science, research and tech” will be launched soon.