Working in the UK after your studies

On 11 September 2019, the UK Government announced the creation of a new immigration route that will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years and three years for PhD students after they have completed their studies.

The Graduate Immigration Route is now available to international students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance and who have a valid Student Visa.

Please note: GradDip students are not eligible for the graduate visa.

Eligibility requirements

The route is points-based. All applicants who are eligible for the route will be awarded the full number of points

• Complete the degree programme on your CAS for your Tier 4/Student Visa.
• You need a valid Tier 4 or Student Visa and be present in the UK during your application.
• Pay visa fee and health surcharge for Graduate route.
• Graduates who have completed their studies outside the UK due to Covid-19 will be allowed to apply under the graduate scheme on an exceptional basis as long as they meet the other requirements.
• If you have been sponsored by a government or other international sponsorship agency, you must have permission from that sponsor to make an application to remain in the UK.
• Wait for the confirmation email from the College before applying for the graduate visa. The College needs to confirm your programme completion and eligibility to the Home Office.
• If the course is longer than 12 months, you must have spent at least 12 months studying your course inside the UK on a student visa. (Concessions exist for students during the pandemic).

RCA Master's students

Most MA, MArch, MDes, MEd and MFA programmes at the RCA are **45 weeks in length (11 months). To be eligible for the graduate visa you will be required to have spent the whole duration of your programme in the UK

** Due to the duration of the programme (11 months) you will only be issued an additional two months from the end date of your programme instead of 4 months. This is because the length of the programme is less than 12 months. You will still be eligible to switch to the graduate visa as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements.

Dependants 

• Current student dependants may apply together.
• Children born in the UK during your most recent visa can apply as your dependant.
• If sponsored in the past 12 months, get permission from sponsor and provide a letter. 

What you can and cannot do on the Graduate Visa

You can

• Work at any level other than restricted professions.
• Be self-employed, except as a professional sportsperson or coach.  
• You can only do supplementary study, but not at a student sponsor on a course type permitted under the student route, examples can be evening classes, short courses etc.
• You can switch into work visa routes if suitable employment is found.
• If required, you will need to register with the police.

You cannot

• Claim public funds. 
• Be a professional sportsperson or coach.
• Study at an institution that has a Student Sponsor Route status on a course where the qualification and level of study meet the requirement for the Student Visa (e.g. a course that will require a CAS to be issued).
• You will not be able to extend the two-to-three-year period of leave during which work can be undertaken at any skill level.
• You cannot study at state schools.
• You cannot switch from a Graduate route to a Start-Up visa.

Application process

• Apply online via the Gov.uk graduate visa webpage.
• Once the online process has been completed, you will be directed to an online app that will need to be downloaded on your phone and follow the instructions.
• ID Check App will allow you to upload your BRP and passport and have your CAS number ready. Video instructions on how to use this app are available.
• If you lose your BRP card, you will need to complete the UK online form and book a BRP appointment to use the app.
• Please note that the Immigration Health Surcharge costs £715 and £624 per year, and your dependents can apply if they are already in the UK. Also, keep in mind that the IHS fees will increase in January 2024.
• The standard processing time is eight weeks.
• You do not need to be sponsored on this route.
• You must have successfully completed your degree.
• You will be able to switch to skilled visa route.

Required documents for application

• You will need your CAS number from your CAS letter for your current programme
• You must have a valid student visa
• Your BRP card or Passport if you only have a vignetted stamped in your passport

Your Visa

eVisa

When your visa is granted, the visa will be digital also known as an E visa. The digital status will enable you to prove your right to live and work in the UK online.

Please note: Visa Nationals will also be issued a new BRP card. This will need to be shown in order to travel to the UK whilst your graduate visa is valid. We advise you to wait until you get your BRP card before travelling abroad.

Settlement

The route is non-extendable and does not count towards settlement. However, graduates who find an appropriate job and meet the requirements will be able to apply to work routes, including the Skilled Worker, Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise) which is a route to settlement.

Useful resources

• Immigration Rules: Appendix Graduate
• Graduate route caseworker guidance
• The Graduate route: information for international students
• Fact sheet: Graduate immigration route

Further information

If you have any questions about the Graduate visa please contact [email protected]

Immigration rules and policies are subject to change. These webpages are updated as soon as possible following any changes but relevant pages of the Home Office website should be checked for the latest information. Student Support can only provide information and advise on current policy; it is not possible to speculate on future immigration changes or developments in relation to post-study visa options.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep up to date with any changes in relation to immigration rules and regulations.

The Global Talent Visa is available for creative practitioners, cultural workers and international experts from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to live and work in the UK and benefit from and contribute to UK cultural life.

Applicants for the Global Talent Visa must be 'established as, or demonstrate the potential to become, a world-leading artist and/or an internationally recognised expert in their field

To be eligible you need to be endorsed by the relevant Home Office-approved endorsing bodies:

• The Royal Academy of Engineering – for engineering applications
• The British Academy – for humanities and social science applications
• Arts Council England – for arts, culture, fashion, architecture, film and television applications 
• Tech Nation – for digital technology applications
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – for science and research applications 

Please note that the College encourages eligible applicants to apply for a GTV rather than a Tier 2/Skilled Worker Route (SWR) visa due to its significant benefits and reduced restrictions

• Enter the UK without a job offer, work for any employer or be self-employed
• Apply for up to five years’ leave
• Apply for settlement after three years (or five years if in Exceptional Promise peer review route endorsed by Arts Council England or Tech Nation)
• Pay reduced application fees than skilled work route, but must still pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• No English language/maintenance requirements
• There are four GTV endorsement routes, three with fast track/accelerated endorsement processes:

Awardees/holders of certain Individual Fellowships

• Holders of these fellowships can make an independent application with no College support required

Senior Academic and Research Appointments

• As an essential function of the role, the candidate must lead and direct research, fulfill specific recruitment requirements, and obtain a contract, as well as supporting documentation from the Staff Compliance Team to apply.

UKRI Endorsed Funders scheme

• The position must meet requirements and be funded from approved sources. Staff Compliance Team requires contract and supporting documents for application.

There are three fast-track endorsement routes available in addition to the standard Global Talent Peer Review route. These fast-track routes are applicable to exceptional promise and exceptional talent applicants.

Regardless of the endorsement route used, applicants must meet the same GTV status requirements. Moreover, individuals can choose to apply for a visa/leave to remain for a period of one to five years.

In addition to the UKVI guidance above, please review the Royal Society guidance and FAQs.

Arts Council England Endorsement

Eligibility 

Switching in the UK

If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also have either:

• completed the course you were sponsored to study
• studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

Stage 1 Endorsements

This is when your skills, abilities, and achievements are assessed to enable the endorsing body to decide whether you should be endorsed in order to progress to Stage 2 of your application.

Arts Council England – for arts, culture, fashion, architecture, film and television applications ( This area is more applicable to RCA students)

There are two routes available,

• Exceptional Talent is for people who are already established as leading practitioners or recognised experts in their field 
• Exceptional Promise is for people who have the potential to become leading practitioners or recognised experts in their field. 

You can apply if you are a recent University graduate; however, you must still be able to meet the criteria as outlined above. Student productions, work created as part of a degree or master’s course or student awards, for example, would not normally be enough to evidence the level of professional experience they need to see. However, if you have been working in professional contexts alongside your course of study within the last five years you may still be able to meet the criteria. They would advise that if you are a recent graduate the evidence you submit with your application should not be related to your course of study.

They expect you to be able to show that within the last five years, you have been delivering regular work of recognised quality in professional contexts in one or more countries. You would need to show that you have been recognised as having the potential to become a leader in your field by experts in your field and in the media, through winning or being nominated for established awards in your field and through being booked to take part in professional programmes of work

For more information please email [email protected]

Application Fee: Stage 1

• Stage 1: Endorsement, £524

It is recommended you start with Stage 1 first and once you are endorsed you then proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2 Visa Application

If you are granted an endorsement you must apply for your visa for leave to enter or remain. You must apply within three months from your endorsement.

Note: Individuals with Student Visas cannot apply for leave to remain but to enter. This means you can only apply for stage 2 from outside the UK.

Application Fee: Stage 2: 

• Stage 2: Visa application, £192

Length of Leave 

You can apply to stay for between one and five years. You only have to pay the healthcare surcharge for the amount of time you choose to stay.

You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like. Each extension can last from 1 to 5 years.

You can apply for settlement once you’ve been in the UK for:


• three years with an exceptional talent visa
• three years with an exceptional talent endorsement
 in science
• three years with an endorsement under the UKRI endorsed funder scheme
• five years with an exceptional promise endorsement in either arts and culture or digital technology

What can I do and cannot do on this visa

You can:

• work – for an employer, as a director of a company or be self-employed
• change jobs without telling the Home Office
• do voluntary work
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• bring family members with you

You cannot:

• get public funds
• work as a doctor or dentist in training
• work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach

Arts and Culture (Supported Disciplines)

Combined arts, Dance, Literature, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Museums & galleries,

Fashion: The British Fashion Council (BFC) assess applications under Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise criteria from fashion designers on the behalf of Arts Council England.

Architecture:  The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) assess applications under Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise applications from architects and architectural designers.

Please read the Guide for Global Talent visa applicants for more details on the above areas of practice on the Arts Council England pages.

Tier 2 (General) visa route was replaced with the Skilled Worker Route from 1 December 2021. This visa route is for people seeking permanent employment in the UK. This advice guide is aimed at current students holding a Student visa, who are considering working in the UK after they complete their studies from the RCA.

Eligibility

To apply for a skilled worker route, you need to show you have  the following:

• A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an employer who has skilled worker route sponsor licence
• Be offered a job at the appropriate skill levels  RQF3 or above with a minimum applicable salary
• Meet English Language Requirements 
• Genuine Job: The home office will check this based on the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker

Switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa

You can switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker Route from within the UK if:

• You have a valid Student visa in the UK
• You have been offered a graduate-level job at ( RFQ level 6 or above ) with skilled route sponsor and be paid the appropriate salary for that job (check online if the employer is on Skilled Worker & Temporary worker list)
• Your course of study is complete (this will be after you have reached your official course end date (this will be stated on your CAS )then you can start working in your Skilled Worker job immediately after a valid Skilled Worker visa application is submitted
• You are a PhD student who has completed 24 months of your PhD
• You have permission from your government sponsor or international sponsor to remain in the UK to work. ( a written letter must be provided)
• No financial evidence is required if you apply in the UK
• you are studying at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance
• Your Student visa must have expired less than two years before the date of application. 
• You must demonstrate you have had £1,270 for at least 28 days in a bank account 

You can also switch to a Skilled Worker route visa if you’re:

• a dependent partner of someone with a Student visa

Salary requirements and 'new entrant'

Applicants must receive at least the minimum salary for their role. If you are a ‘new entrant’, your annual salary requirement is lower at £30,960. You can find information under the column for 70% of the going rate for the relevant role.

Who is a 'new entrant'?

You are considered a new entrant in the following circumstances:

• you are under the age of 26 on the date of application
• your most recent visa was a Student visa, your Student visa is still valid or it expired less than 2 years before the date of application,  and you were sponsored to study a UK bachelor's/master's/PhD or other doctoral qualification/PGCE/PGDE,
• your most recent visa was a Graduate route visa and it is still valid or it expired less than 2 years before the date of application,
• the job is a postdoctoral position under specific occupation codes (see Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 12.2 (b)),
• you are a PhD student and you have completed at least 24 months’ study of your course

If you are applying from abroad, you will be classified as a ‘new entrant’ if either of the following applies:

• Your last UK visa was issued under the Student route for degree-level or PhD study, and you are applying less than two years after it expired.
• Your last visa was issued under the Graduate route, and you are applying less than two years after it expired.

Your employer is responsible for assessing whether or not you fall under the ‘new entrant’ requirement, so any queries or concerns should be directed to the employer.

Please note: if you obtain this letter in advance of your expected course end date and use it to support your Skilled Worker visa application, do note that your work rights will only change once your Skilled Worker visa has been granted.

• Letter of consent to remain in the UK, if you were fully sponsored for your studies by an official financial sponsor
• Completed online application form: visas-immigration.service.gov.uk

Healthcare surcharge

You may have to pay a healthcare surcharge (called the ‘immigration health surcharge’ or IHS) in addition to your visa application fee. Check how much you may have to pay.

How long can I stay in the UK?

The visa will be issued for up to five years depending upon the length of your employment. You can apply to extend for a further period of leave if you are still employed at the time of your visa expiring.

Dependent(s)

You can have your dependent(s) with you in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa.

Information on financial requirements and how to apply can be found on the Home Office website.

Fees

Use this tool to work out the cost of your UK visa application.

Visa Processing times

• Visa processing times: applications inside the UK
• Visa processing times outside the UK

Further information

Immigration rules and policies are subject to change. These webpages are updated as soon as possible following any changes but relevant pages of the Home Office website should be checked for the latest information.

Student Support can only provide information and advise on current policy; it is not possible to speculate on future immigration changes or developments in relation to post-study visa options. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep up to date with any changes in relation to immigration rules and regulations.

This visa allows employers to bring individuals to the UK on a temporary basis as a creative worker.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this visa you will need to have a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed Home Office Register of licensed sponsors: workers.

In addition to this you will need to meet the eligibility criteria, as listed on the Home Office website.

How to apply

Applications must be made from outside the UK. It is not possible to switch into this category from within the UK.

Before making your application you should read the Temporary Worker guidance carefully.

You will need to complete the online application form that can be found on the Home Office website

How long can I stay in the UK?

The visa will be issued for the duration of the temporary contract, up to 12 months. It may then be possible to extend for a further 12 months, if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria and remain with the same employer.

Dependent(s)

It is possible to have your dependent(s) with you in the UK with this visa.

Information on financial requirements and how to apply can be found on the Home Office website.

Fees

The cost of visa application varies annually and depends on the location where you apply. This online tool helps calculate your visa application expenses.

Further information

Immigration rules and policy are subject to change. These webpages are updated as soon as possible following any changes but relevant pages of the Home Office website should be checked for the latest information. Student Support can only provide information and advise on current policy; it is not possible to speculate on future immigration changes or developments in relation to post-study visa options. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep up to date with any changes in relation to the immigration rules and regulations.

The (GAE) visa is for individuals who wish to come to the UK for a short period for work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an authorised body on the list of approved government authorised exchange schemes.

Eligibility

• To be eligible to apply, you need to have received a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for a job, from one of the schemes on the approved Home Office list.
• In addition to this, you will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient finances to support yourself during your stay. You will need to evidence that you have £1,270 in a bank account in your name and that you have held this amount for a period of 28 consecutive days, prior to applying.

How to switch in the UK

You must apply within three months of receiving your CoS.

Before you apply, read the Temporary Worker guidance carefully.

You can apply to switch into this visa category in the UK if you currently have leave to remain on a student visa and you have completed a UK Bachelor's degree or Master's degree, or you have completed 12 months towards a UK PhD.

You can apply online to switch into this category by using the application form on the Home Office website.

A decision will be made in eight weeks.

Documentation

In addition to completing the application form you will need to submit the following documents;

• passport/ID card
• a passport photograph
• CoS
• evidence of your finances as stated above
• a tuberculosis test ( if you are applying from a country that requires this)

How long can I stay in the UK

You can stay in the UK for up to 12 or 24 months (depending upon the scheme you are applying for) or the time given on your CoS plus 28 days, whichever is shorter.

Dependent(s)

You can have your dependent(s) with you in the UK on a Tier 5 (GAE) visa.

Information financial requirements and how to apply can be found on the Home Office website.

Fees

Apply outside the UK – £259

Switch in the UK – £259

Switch in the UK via priority service – additional fee of £500, Super priority an additional fee of £800

Dependent(s)

Apply outside the UK – £259 (each person)

Switch in the UK – £259 (each person)

Switch in the UK via priority service – additional fee of £500, Super priority an additional fee of £800

Further information

Immigration rules and policy are subject to change. These webpages are updated as soon as possible following any changes but relevant pages of the Home Office website should be checked for the latest information. Student Support can only provide information and advise on current policy; it is not possible to speculate on future immigration changes or developments in relation to post-study visa options. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep up to date with any changes in relation to the immigration rules and regulations.

The Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is for individuals who have a certain type of British Nationality or are from certain countries. The YMS enables these individuals to live and work in the UK for a period of up to two years.

Eligibility

You can apply for the visa if you’re aged 18 to 35 and from:

• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• South Korea

To be eligible for this visa you must be aged between 18 and 30 and from one of the following countries:

• Andorra
• Iceland
• Japan
• Monaco
• San Marino
• Uruguay

You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa if you’re from:

• Hong Kong, if you have an SAR passport
• Taiwan

You can also apply if you are 18–30 and:

• a British overseas citizen
• a British overseas territories citizen
• a British national (overseas)

You cannot apply if you have:

• children who live with you
• children you are financially responsible for
• already been in the UK under the scheme or the former 'working holidaymaker' scheme

Required Documents

In addition to completing the application form you will need to provide the following documents:

• passport/ID card.
• a passport photograph.
• a bank statement showing that you have £2,530 in savings.
• your tuberculosis test results (if you are applying from a country that requires it).
• your CoS (if you are applying from a country that requires it).
• Documents not in English or Welsh would need to be translated and certified by a certified translator.

If you are from Andorra, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Iceland, San Marino and Uruguay check the government website

How long can I stay in the UK

You will be given a visa to live and work in the UK for 24 months.

Dependent(s)

You cannot have your dependent(s) with you in the UK on this type of visa.

Fees

The cost of visa application varies annually and depends on the location where you apply. This online tool helps calculate your visa application expenses.

• You will also be required to pay the immigration health surcharge as part of your application

Further information

Immigration rules and policies are subject to change. These webpages are updated as soon as possible following any changes but relevant pages of the Home Office website should be checked for the latest information. Student Support can only provide information and advise on current policy; it is not possible to speculate on future immigration changes or developments in relation to post-study visa options. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep up to date with any changes in relation to immigration rules and regulations.

An India Young Professionals Scheme visa allows Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years old to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

You must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before you can apply for this visa. To enter the ballot you must declare that you’re eligible for the visa – check if you’re eligible before you enter.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the visa, you must:

• be an Indian citizen
• be between 18 and 30 years old
• have an eligible qualification
• have £2,530 in savings

Check the full list of eligibility requirements.

High Potential Individual Visa

• A High Potential Individual (HPI) visa gives permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years.
• This visa allows work in the UK without a job offer or contract, including self-employment.
• Applicants must have an eligible non-UK degree from the last five years.
• HPI visa lasts two years, three for PhD holders.
• You cannot extend an HPI visa, but you may switch to a Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa.

A Scale-up Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to do an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business (sometimes called a ‘scale-up business’). Your UK employer must meet specific eligibility criteria to sponsor scale-up workers.

Eligibility

To qualify for a Scale-up Worker visa, you must:

To qualify, you must:

• Have a confirmed job offer to work for an approved scale-up business for a minimum of six months.
• Possess a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from your employer, which includes details about the role you’ve been offered in the UK.
• Have a job offer for a position listed among eligible occupations.
• Be paid a minimum salary for your new job.

Job Requirements

• Your job must be eligible for the Scale-up visa approved by the Home Office
• meet the salary requirements
• You must be sponsored for a job for at least 6 months
• Your employer must pay at least the minimum wage and follow UK rules on working hours. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

Check if your job is eligible.

How long you can stay

You can remain in the UK with a Scale-up Worker visa for two years. You will need to apply to extend your visa before it expires.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You can extend your visa multiple times, each time for an additional three years, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

After five years, you may be able to apply for permanent settlement in the UK

How to apply

You must apply online

Your application process will depend on your current situation:

• If you are outside the UK and coming to the UK.
• If you are inside the UK and extending your current visa.
• If you are inside the UK and switching from a different visa.

To change employers within the first six months of your sponsored job, you must update your visa.

Dependant(s)

Your partner and children can apply to join you in the UK as dependants if eligible.

When to apply

You can apply:

• up to 3 months before the day you’re due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
• Prove your identity and provide your documents
• allow extra time to apply for this visa

Visa processing times

• Visa processing times: applications inside the UK
• Visa processing times outside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Application fee

• £822 application fee
• Immigration health surcharge
• prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much money you’ll need.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

• work in your sponsored job for at least 6 months
• leave your sponsored job after 6 months
• study
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• take on additional work, including becoming self-employed
• do voluntary work
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

• apply for most benefits (‘public funds’)
• work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Scale-up Worker visa.

During the first six months of your stay

You cannot change employer unless you apply to update your visa.

You do not need to update your visa if you start a different, eligible job with the same employer.

After six months

You can:

• continue working in your job
• change or stop doing your job without telling the Home Office
• be self-employed

You do not need to update your visa.

You can extend your Scale-up Worker visa without a new sponsor when your current visa expires. You must meet the earnings requirements.