Just graduated from a UK university? Our tips on getting a Post Study Work Visa!

We’ve been getting several enquiries about Post Study Work visas recently, and thought it’d be good to give a summary of the application requirements for this visa! 

Call us now on +44 (0)207 001 2121 if you'd like to discuss this visa in more detail, but act quickly as this visa category closes on the 6th April 2012!

The Post Study Work visa enables graduates to live and work in the UK, both in employment and self- employment, without the need for sponsorship from a specific employer.  This visa is helpful as it covers graduates through periods of changes in employment and also unemployment as the graduate is still able to remain in the UK throughout the duration of the visa.

Something which often catches our clients out is that the application for the Post Study Worker visa must be made within 12 months of the date of the award of the qualification that you will be relying upon.

 

Eligibility for Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa:

Graduates need to score 75 points under the Points Based System for attributes to be eligible for a Post Study Work visa and will meet the points requirements in the following way:

You have a UK qualification 20 points
You studied for this qualification at a UK institution 20 points
You had a valid immigration status during your UK study and/or research 20 points
The date of award of your qualification was no more than 12 months before the date when you apply under Tier 1 (Post-study work) 15 points

 

You will therefore need to demonstrate that you obtained your qualification from a recognised UK Institution and that you had a valid UK visa during your entire period of study.

In addition to the above you will also have to demonstrate that you have met the following requirements:

English Language 10 points
Maintenance  -  £800 if applying within the UK or £2800 if applying from overseas to be held for a period of 90 days immediately preceding the date of application 10 points

If you are already in the UK as a student (eg. on a student visa or Tier 4 visa) then you may submit your application from within the UK. 

If you have now left the UK and would like to re-enter the UK under the Post Study Work visa then you will be required to make an application for entry clearance as a Post Study Worker before entering the UK.  In most cases the application forms can be completed and submitted online but you will still be required to submit original documentation in support of your Post Study Work visa application.  You will also be required to attend a biometrics appointment.

Applications for Post Study Worker visas in both the UK and overseas require certain specific documents to be submitted in support of each application and we can provide you with a comprehensive list at your resquest!

Contact us now for more information!

POSTED 21/11/11 in 'UK'

COMMENTS (8)BACK TO BLOG

i just finished a masters degree programme and during the programme, 10 months i was on appeal, in the 10th month , i won the appeal, but immigration officer gave me discretionary leave , instead of student visa, for just one month. Went back to my country to re apply to complete dissertation in october, came back in december , with 2 months visa. Completed dissertation in feb . Can one say I had a valid student visa during study?

By eio on 03rd March 2012

Dear Eio,
Thank you for your comments on our blog and your query relating to a student visa.  Your circumstances appear to be unusual and without actually assessing your documents and understanding the reasons for the discretionary grant of leave we are unable to confirm that you had a valid visa. However, what we can confirm is that if you were granted leave to remain on a discretionary basis then you would normally be permitted to study under that type of visa. It would not be correct to say you had a valid student visa but instead you could say you had valid leave permitted study.

I hope this answers your question.  If you’d like to discuss your situation further, please do get in touch.
NC

By Newland Chase on 05th March 2012

Hello,
I would like to know if my 90 days are completed on 6th of April. Will i get my post sudy work visa? or what is the last day that I can send my application form? it could be on 6th April?

By DIANA on 06th March 2012

Dear Diana,
Thank you for your query.  The last date to apply for a PSW visa would be the 5th April to ensure your application reaches the UKBA by 6th April.  If the maintenance criteria is not met until 6th April then it will be a matter for the UKBA caseworker to decide whether they are willing to exercise discretion in your favour. It would of course be a harsh decision if they were to refuse the application purely on this basis. 

If you’d like to discuss this further, please do give us a call.
NC

By Newland Chase on 09th March 2012

Hi,

I have a post study work visa and I havent been able to find a job yet. I am leaving for my country next week for a couple of days. Would there be any problem upon returning to UK since i dont have a job?

Thanks

By ahsen ehsan on 04th April 2012

I have submitted a post study work visa application to the home office since 7th of february, i have a valid visa during my application, and also fulfill all the necessary requirements. I also had my biometrics finger scan done on 16th of march. But i have not received my Visa till date. should I be worried?

By Mich on 25th April 2012

This is really an informative article and it is helpful for the students those who are searching or applying Student visa. Thanks a lot for sharing. Love to see more from you - keep it up.

By Solicitor Manchester on 25th April 2012

Dear Mich,
Thank you for your comment.  We can advise that there has been a huge backlog of applications with the UK Border Agency, due to the closure of the Tier 1 PSW route and the volume of applications submitted before the 6th April.  Therefore, you should not worry if your application hasn not been approved yet as it will take some time to be processed If you need to travel urgently then contact us and we can help to expedite your application, but there would of course be costs involved in this. 
I hope this helps,
NC

By Newland Chase on 25th April 2012