What is the ‘graduate Visa route’ and can I apply for it?

International students will be able to benefit from two years’ work experience in the UK upon graduation via the new Graduate immigration route. The new ‘graduate visa route’ will be launched in the summer of 2021, meaning that any eligible student who graduates in the summer of 2021 or after will be able to apply for the route. This includes students who have already started their courses, even if, due to Covid-19, they have needed to undertake some of their learning remotely.

Successful applicants on this route will be able to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for a period of two years. Graduates will be able to switch into skilled work routes if they have found a suitable job.

On 16 June 2020, the UK Government made further important concessions for international students considering study in the UK, and confirmed that international students studying by distance/blended learning will be eligible to apply for the Graduate route provided they are in the UK by 6 April 2021 and meet the other requirements of the route.

Applicants on the Graduate route will have to pay an application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. The exact fee will be set out in due course.

The Graduate route will be available to international students who have existing leave as a Tier 4 student at the time of application and have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance.

More information about the Graduate immigration route can be found here: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/10/14/fact-sheet-graduate-immigration-route/

Source: UK Government
Correct as at 29.6.2020