What is Post Study Work Visa (Graduate Immigration Route)?
In 2004, the Post-Study Work – PSW (Graduate Route) visa was offered for the first time. Originally, it permitted international graduates to work for a year after graduation.
The laws gradually got more liberal, allowing all types of graduates with any degree to stay in the UK for two years with no constraints on skill level. However, because of worries over the rising unemployment rate among British graduates, the PSW visa was subsequently closed to all international applicants in 2012.
Graduate Route (PSW) for International Students
International students do not receive a post-study work visa and are only allowed to stay in the UK for four months after finishing their course. The Scottish Affairs Committee of the UK Parliament proposed in 2016 that the PSW visa for overseas students be revived because the number of non-EU graduates applying for Work VISA in Scotland has decreased by 80% since 2012. The British government, on the other hand, rejected the proposal, claiming that applying various immigration regulations to different areas of the UK will be more problematic not only for national immigration security concerns but also for enterprises having a presence in several regions of the UK.
The British Government announced in 2019 a new two-year post-study work visa to allow successful international students to pursue a career in the UK.    “Graduate Immigration Route” was the name given to this new path. In 2020, the Graduate Immigration Route advice was updated again with essential elements of the route such as the application process, eligibility, and so on.
This new strategy by the British government is a really encouraging step in the right direction, as it aims to keep international talent in the UK. It also contributes to the growth of the UK economy.
Following the announcement of a new post-study work visa, the number of international applicants to UK universities has increased significantly. The following are some of the many benefits for international students:
- Students can anticipate beginning their international career in the UK even once their study is completed, as they will be given a residence and work permit.
- With the exception of the United Kingdom, very few European nations have generous student work visa laws.
- After the two, there is a better likelihood of a smoother transition from Tier 4 – Student visa to Tier 2 – Work visa.
Introducing the New Route
All students who register for courses in the UK in September 2020 or later will be eligible for the new post-study work route. New immigration policies take time to design and implement. As a result, launching the route in the summer of 2021 will benefit all students who graduate in the summer of 2021 or later, regardless of when they began their studies.
Successful applicants for this route will be permitted to stay in the UK for a maximum of two years and look for a job.
After two years, a post-study work visa cannot be extended. Students can switch to a skilled work visa if they locate suitable employment.
Eligibility Criteria
- The New Graduation Immigration Route is open to all overseas students with a track record of compliance who have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- This will be launched in the summer of 2021, thus only students entering the UK for the 2020-21 academic year will be eligible to apply.
- Students who join the UK before April 2021 and finish their last semester in the UK will benefit from this policy; additionally, this immigration path includes students who have already begun their courses.
- At the time of application, students must hold a valid Tier 4 visa.
- Students whose Tier 4 visas expire before the post-study employment visa path is implemented are not eligible.
Application Requirements
An in-country application is required for the Graduation Immigration Route.
Payment of an application fee and an Immigration Health Surcharge may also be required.
Proof of successful completion of the course
Various security checks will be performed on students.
Can you work during PSW?
- Graduate route visas allow students to work after they have completed their studies.
- Any student who enrolls in a UK university can stay in the country for up to two years to work or look for work.
- This rule applies to graduates of all higher education institutions that have been designated as “licensed visa sponsors.”
- The Post Graduate Work Visa is designed to provide students additional time to find work after they graduate from university. It has no bearing on how hard a student works while learning.