The United Kingdom Home Office on July 1 formally openedits new post-study work visa route especially for international students (Indianand others) that will allow them to apply for the right to stay on for job experienceonce they complete their university courses.
Earlier in 2020, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel hadannounced that the Graduate route visa, which is now open for applications fromthis week is designed to benefit the Indian students in particular. Notably,the Indian students who study in the UK choose the degree courses in correspondenceto the career prospects.
In a statement, Patel said: "Under the UKGovernment's points-based immigration system, talented students from India andacross the globe now have the opportunity to kick start their careers in the UKat the highest levels of business, science, technology and the arts."
She further added, "UK in 2020 granted more than 56,000 visasto the Indian students."
"Once they've received theirworld-leading qualification from one of our fantastic education institutions,this new visa will give them the freedom to fulfill their aspirations andadvance their careers," the UK Home Secretary added.
Who can apply?
To begin with the application process, the applicants whostarted their studies in last year or 2021 spring will need to be in the UK ona student visa by September 27, 2021. However, other students who would starttheir course by the end of this year or early next year will need to bephysically present in the UK by April 6, 2022.
Pertinently, to attain the post-study work permit, the International students must have completed their undertaken studies program ata recognized UK higher education provider at an undergraduate, post-graduate orhigher level.
Under this Graduate route, the students will be able tostay in the UK on the work experience for a maximum of two years, or three years orfor Doctoral Ph.D. students. Another added benefit of the new route is that studentswill not have to possess any job offer letter to apply thus, they can utilizethis two-year period to stay on and look for a job.
Moreover, the government has kept no bar on salaryrequirement, hence, allowing graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs andestablish their career as required.
Furthermore, a Covid-19 concession has also been extendedby the UK govt which enables the students, who have had taken admission in 2020and are unable to travel due to restrictions imposed, to enter the UK to laterapply for the new Graduate route.
How to apply?
For the first time ever, the applicants will be able toapply for the post-study work visa in a fully digital manner. The applicantswill have to use a specific application on their mobile phone “UK Immigration:ID Check.”
Those applicants who will succeed in submitting theirapplication will be issued an eVisa, and be able to conveniently access thisstatus whenever needed to prove their rights in the UK.
The online process will prove hassle-free for theapplicants as they would not have to visit a UK Visa and CitizenshipApplication Service or re-submit their biometrics. However, if in case graduateswill not be able to access their application status online will still have tovisit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service.