What Happens When Your UK Post-Study Work Visa Expires?
Over half a million Indian students go to the UK to study in their dream universities. With educational excellence, the country offers them an enhanced learning experience, quality lifestyle and competitive salary upon graduation. To continue these benefits, international students can stay back in the UK after completing their course. However, as their student visa is only valid till the last date of the course, they need to obtain a new visa.
International students in the UK have the option of staying back in the UK after completing the course. After securing a job position offering more than the lowest wage in the country, graduates apply for a Graduate Route Visa. This visa permits their stay for 3 years or as long as their job contract states. Without a valid job offer letter from a registered organisation in the UK, they alternatively apply for a Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV). The PSWV allows them to stay to look for work for 2 years without worrying about securing a full-time job role that meets the demands of a Graduate Route Visa. But what after 2 years? Well, let’s find out!
In this blog, we will delve into the features, purpose and extension of the Post-graduate Work Visa in the UK.
Benefits of Post-Study Work Permit in the UK
The UK is the home to over 5.6 million private sector businesses. From Amazon to Deloitte, Accenture, PwC, EY, McDonald’s and KPMG. The world’s leading companies either have head offices or are operating in the UK. These companies not only offer reputed positions but also impressive salaries to their employees. Graduating from UK universities gives students an edge while applying for such jobs. However, there are times when one may not find a suitable job or want to work in a different industry. In such cases, obtaining a Post-Study Work Permit can help them stay in the UK. This type of visa holder can do any work other than their area of study. They don’t have to meet the work guidelines, working conditions or pay scales set by the government. They can easily switch positions, roles and even industries during this time.
After the PSW Visa Expires
The post-study work visa expires after 2 years of issue. After the expiration, graduates can no longer stay in the UK. The PSW Visa doesn’t come with a renewal option. Hence, they need to acquire a new visa that permits their stay. After the PSW Visa expires, individuals need to apply for a skilled workers visa, general worker visa or any other relevant visa. However, to get a worker’s visa or Tier 2 visa, they need to secure a job. Not only that, they need to earn at least £30,000 per year or £11.44 per hour with this job to meet the minimum wage in the UK. Some job positions may also have specific wage requirements. The national wage as well as the sectorial wage changes every year.
Also Read: Career Opportunities for International Students in the UK
Studying with a Post-Study Work Visa
One can always study with a PSW Visa as long as their course doesn’t specify the need for a student visa. The easier way to do so will be to extend your student visa. If the course demands a student visa, PSW visa holders can swiftly switch their visa types. Regardless of your choice, you will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate to undertake research or study sensitive topics. Your process should further meet with the intake duration to skip any voids.
Also Read: UK Popular Academic Intakes 2024-2025
Applying for Permanent Residency (PR)
Non-citizens can only apply for the UK Permanent Residency (PR) after at least 10 years of continuous residency. Neither a Student Visa (Tier 1 Visa), Post Graduate Work Visa (PGW Visa) nor Graduate Route Visa can be swapped with a PR. But their years do count when they lead to PR. At the same time, they only need 5 years with a Skilled Worker Visa, entrepreneurship or Global Talent Visa to apply for a PR. However, these 5 years don’t include the years with any other visa.
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