Working in the UK after your studies

We can provide some basic information about some post-study work visa options.

Please see UKCISA for full details of options regarding work visas after studying.

Graduate route visa

Please visit the Graduate Route page for more information.

Skilled Worker visa

Skilled Worker visa is for those who have secured sponsorship for an eligible job with an approved employer. Employers can confirm if a job is eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. We can offer basic advice regarding Skilled Worker up to the point of job offer at which point your employer should advise you. Please see the UKVI website for full details regarding Skilled Worker

Students with valid Student visas are eligible to switch to Skilled Worker in the UK. Those under 26 and students who have studied at degree level on a Student visa can apply as ‘new entrants’ and can show a lower salary Skilled Worker can lead to settlement after 5 years.

The minimum salary to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa rose from £26,200 to £38,700 on 4 April 2024. Students or those under the age of 26 who meet the new entrant requirements can show a lower salary level. Please see the gov.uk website for further details.

Innovator Founder visa

Innovator Founder visa is aimed at those who want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. The business or business idea has to be endorsed by an endorsing body.

A student with a valid Student visa is eligible to switch to the 3 year Innovator visa in the UK if they have secured endorsement. The 3 year visa can be extended for another 3 years, there is no limit to the number of times you can extend. It can lead to settlement after 3 years, this also requires endorsement.

Youth Mobility Scheme and India Young Professionals visas

Youth Mobility Scheme visa is a 2 year visa to live and work in the UK for certain passport holders, for the full list see the gov.uk website.

India Young Professionals is a 2 year visa to live and work in the UK for Indian citizens aged between 18 and 30. Applicants must be successful in a ballot offering 3,000 places and must have completed a degree level qualification and prove they have £2,530 in personal savings. Applicants cannot apply if they have already had a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

It is not possible to switch into these visa categories in the UK from a Student visa.

Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)

Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work) is designed to allow individuals to stay for a short time for work experience or training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme.

A student with a valid Student visa is eligible to switch onto this visa in the UK if they have completed a degree in their last period of leave and the work, training or research is related to that degree. The length of the visa is a maximum period of 24 months depending on the scheme applied for.

Global Talent visa

Global Talent visa is for individuals to work in the UK as leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. Endorsement or winning an eligible award is required for this visa.

A student with a valid Student visa is eligible to switch to this visa in the UK if they have secured endorsement or won an eligible award.

High Potential Individual visa

High Potential Individual visa is a 2 year visa for those who graduated from an eligible University overseas in the past 5 years. Essentially a Graduate route visa, but for graduates from selected overseas Universities.

A student with a valid Student visa is eligible to switch to this visa in the UK.

Careers service

We recommend that you start planning early if you wish to work in the UK after your studies. The Careers Service offers help and advice about working in the UK. Please see their Guide to Finding a Job in the UK for help, this includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions in their visas section such as 'the job application form asks me if I have the right to work in the UK, how should I answer?'

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