If you are an employer who employs international students as part of your staff team you should beware of the new Graduate Visa route available to them from the 1 July.
Student Visa
The new Graduate Visa will be accessible by all successful graduate international students who have achieved their graduate level degree or higher-level degrees. The applicant must also have a reliable proven record of conformity with immigration rules. To apply, the Tier 4 student visa must be valid. For those whose Tier 4 Visa has expired they cannot apply without extending their Student Visa first and can prove compliance with all the terms of the Student Visa.
International students cannot apply for the Graduate Visa until their study university has reported successful completion of the degree to the UK Visa and Immigration service. Any premature applications without the confirmation of the university will be rejected. The application can be made whist the international student is living in the United Kingdom. If the application is accepted the international student may remain in the United Kingdom for two years, or three years if they have studied at PHD or Doctorate level. International students with a scholarship granted in the previous 12 months prior to the application must get the consent of the sponsor in writing before they apply.
Self-employed
The application can just be made by the students who are currently in the United Kingdom. Successful applicants will be entitled to remain in the United Kingdom. This will be two years for with degrees and three years for those with a PhD or Doctorate. The period commences on the date the application is approved. The applicant will allow the applicant to apply for work as well as be self-employed. Some study will be permitted.
The visa is for a fixed period and granted only once and there will be no right to extend it. It will not give an applicant the right of settlement, but the applicant can later apply for the skilled worker visa if they are able to secure such a job. If the applicant has a dependant in the United Kingdom that person can apply for permission to extend their stay.
This article is a guideline only. Employers with immigrations issues should speak to a specialist in immigration law.
