Immigration to UK

TIER 1 POST-STUDY WORK VISA

The Post-Study Work category of the Tier 1 visa is calculated as a transitional route to allow the most talented non-EEA nationals graduating from UK universities to transfer into a work or business visa.  The Post-Study Work sub-category is meant to retain the clever students, who have studied in the UK (under current rules or the Tier 4 system, once implemented). It is part of Tier 1 because successful applicants will be able to find work after graduation without having a sponsor.  

On the other hand, it is only designed to be a bridge to highly skilled or skilled work, much like the previous International Graduates Scheme it replaced. Those with student visas in the UK under Post-Study Work are expected to switch into another part of the points system (whether Tier 1 or another Tier) as soon as they are able to do so. To encourage individuals to switch over, leave will only be granted under Post-Study Work for a maximum of 2 years and is non-renewable.

Time spent in the UK under Post-Study Work will not count towards permanent residence. Students must apply for the Post-Study Work sub-category within 12 months of receiving their qualification.  The Post-Study Work visa replaces both the previous International Graduates Scheme (IGS) and the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme, allowing successful applicants to transfer into any other tier 1 visa category under the Points Based System, if they can meet the specific requirements of that category.

Post-Study Work visa holders will also be able to transfer into tier 2, which replaces the previous system of UK work permits.  Our team of qualified consultants is fully equipped to help applicants and assist the tier immigration structure, ensuring that applicants get on upon the right UK visa service for their needs.

For businesses, we provide immigration compliance services to ensure that UK sponsoring organisations avoid the rejections on your visas and we try to secure and obtain the required sponsorship licence, to allow an applicant to be sponsored by the individuals they need.   Write to us or contact us to assist you further.

Eligibility for Tier 1 Post-Study Work visa

Even though part of the Tier 1 immigration structure, Post-Study Work visas are removed from the other three categories in terms of their purpose and their duration. The Tier 1 General visa, Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and Tier 1 Investor UK visa categories are all issued for an initial duration of three years. At the end of this period, subject to meeting the specific requirements of a visa extension, candidates may extend their leave to remain in the UK by a further two years, after which they may seek indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

The Post-Work Study category issues visas for only two years and does not allow candidates to extend their time in the UK under this subdivision.  This category is not extendable and the two-year duration does not count toward the residency requirements for gaining settled status in the UK.  Post Work Study Visas are issued as a means to allow talented graduates to progress to either another category of tier 1, or to tier 2 by securing a sponsor.

Requirements for Tier 1 Post-Study Work visa

The other categories of the Tier 1 immigration visa, the Post-Study work category places both the general requirements of tier 1 immigration as well as category specific criteria upon applicants. Candidates will be required to achieve the minimum point’s requirement to qualify under Post-study work visa.  Due to the nature of the Post-Study Work program, which is based upon candidates successfully completing a qualifying course at a UK educational institution, the English language requirement will be deemed to have been satisfied if the candidate successfully meets the specific requirements of this category.

As with the Tier 1 General visa and Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, each applicant must be able to support him or herself financially and must be able to support any dependents that may be joining them.  A candidate must have successfully completed a course at a UK educational institution resulting in some form of tertiary qualification. The UK visa application must be made within 12 months of obtaining this qualification.

Extension of Tier 1 Post-Study Work visa

It is important to note that uniquely among the tier 1 categories, the Post-Study work visa cannot be extended beyond its two-year duration.

This UK visa service is issued as a bridging category and successful applicants will be obliged to transfer into another category, having met the appropriate requirements, within two years.

Switching to Tier 1 Post-Study Work visa

Although it is not permissible to switch into the Post-Study Work visa category from anther tier 1 category, candidates may switch from an existing UK study visa, or from a tier 4 student visa.   In these circumstances, the requirements are the same as a new application with the exception of the maintenance criteria for which the price will be reduced for dependents.  Switching out of the Post-Study Work category into another tier 1 category is essential within the two-year duration and will depend upon meeting the specific requirements for the chosen category.