A Comprehensive Guide to Post-Study Work Visas in the UK

2. Graduate Trainee Visa (Global Business Mobility)
This Visa gives you permission to stay and work in the UK for your employer in their UK branch, provided your job title is eligible and your job profile is part of a graduate training program for a specialist or managerial role.
What you can do and not do on a Graduate Trainee Visa
If you have obtained the Graduate Trainee Visa for the UK, you can:
– Be employed with your sponsor in the job mentioned in your Certificate of Sponsorship
– Study.
– Do voluntary work.
– Live in the UK with your partner and children as your dependents (provided they are eligible).
– Travel outside of and return to the UK.
However, the Graduate Trainee Visa does not allow you to:
– Apply for most publicly funded benefits or the State Pension.
– Switch jobs or have a side occupation/second job.
– Apply for permanently settling in the UK (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’).

Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for the Graduate Trainee Visa if you meet all of the following criteria:
i) You are currently employed with an organization approved by the Home Office as a sponsor. If your employer is currently not licensed to sponsor people for work in the UK, they may want to apply for a sponsor license.

ii) You are employed in a job that is on the list of eligible occupations. You can check whether your job is eligible for securing this visa by clicking the following link:
Occupations that make you eligible for Graduate Trainee Visa

iii) You have worked for your sponsor outside of the UK for a minimum of 3 months prior to your application for this Visa (Thus, if you are a fresh graduate from a university or college outside of the UK, and you have joined an employer with a presence in the UK, you can attempt to move to the UK and work out of the UK branch of your employer after 3 months, provided your employer considers you worthy of offering the privilege.)

iv) You have a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from your employer which states information regarding what work you would do in the UK.

v) You draw a salary of at least £24,220 per annum or 70% of the ‘going rate’ for your job profile (100% of the full ‘going rate’ if you work in healthcare or education related jobs), whichever is higher. You can check the going rates of various job types by clicking on the following link:

Going Rates for Job Types and Related Job Titles for Graduate Trainee Visa

Visa Validity
You can stay in the UK on the Graduate Trainee Visa for a duration that is the shorter of:
● Time stated on your ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ + 14 days.
● 12 months.
Also, you cannot stay for more than 5 years in the UK within any 6-year period when on the Graduate Trainee visa if you have spent time on other visas.

Costs Involved for applying for Graduate Trainee Visa
For applying for the Graduate Trainee Visa, you need to pay the following fees:
a) Visa application fee: £259.
b) Healthcare surcharge: £624 for each year you plan to be in the UK (excluding dependants). You may use this link to calculate the total healthcare surcharge you might need to pay:

Check how much Healthcare Surcharge you need to Pay

c) Proof of ability to support yourself when you arrive in the UK: £1270. You need to have had the money for at least 28 consecutive days (the end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date of your visa application.

If your employer would be supporting you, they need to have completed the ‘Sponsor Certifies Maintenance’ under ‘Additional Data’ on the ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ that is issued to you.

Documents Required
You will need the following documents to apply for a Graduate Trainee Visa:
– A valid passport (with at least one blank page) or any other travel document that displays your identity and nationality.
– Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – you will get this from your employer
– Your job occupation code, job title, and annual salary .
– Name of your employer and their sponsor license number (this would be printed on your Certificate of Sponsorship).
– Evidence to show you have personal savings as stipulated above (you can show this through bank statements).
– Proof of your relationship with your partner or children.
– Tuberculosis Test Results if you belong to a country from where this is a requirement to secure a UK visa.
– Evidence that you have worked for your employer outside of UK for 3 months immediately prior to your Graduate Trainee visa application (this may include printed payslips/online payslips supported by a letter from your sponsor which has been signed by a senior staff member/bank or building society statements/building society pass book).
– A valid ATAS Certificate if your job involves researching on a sensitive topic at a PhD level or higher .
– Details of your training programme .
You need to provide a certified translation of all your documents in case they are not in English or Welsh.

Applying for Graduate Trainee Visa
As a precursor to applying for Graduate Trainee visa, you will need to prove your identity which may involve:
● Securing a BRP by having your fingerprints and photograph taken at a Visa Application Centre.

OR

● Scanning your identity document using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
You need to make an online application to secure a Graduate Trainee Visa. You can do this by clicking on the link below:

[[Apply for Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)]]

Processing Time
Once you complete your online visa application, prove your identity, and submit your documents, you will most likely get a decision within 3 weeks.
You may experience delays if:
– Your supporting documents require verification.
– You are asked to attend an interview.
– Unique personal circumstances (such as criminal conviction in the past).
Depending on your Visa Application Centre, you may opt for priority service (decision within 5 working days) or super priority service (decision on the next working day) by paying the necessary amount.

3. Skilled Worker Visa
This Visa allows you permission to come to and stay in the UK to work in an eligible job offered by an approved employer. While degree holders can certainly benefit from this Visa, it is not compulsory for visa applicants to hold a degree.

What you can do and not do on a Skilled Worker Visa
If you have obtained the Skilled Worker Visa for the UK, you can:
– Be employed in an eligible job with an approved employer.
– Study .
– Take on additional work (up to 20 hours a week) in a job that is either in the same occupation code as the one for which you have been granted the Visa for, or one that is considered a shortage occupation (which may include healthcare and education shortage occupations and other shortage occupations).
– Live in the UK with your partner and children as your dependants (provided they are eligible).
– Travel outside of and return to the UK.
– Do voluntary work.
– Apply to settle permanently (‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’) in the UK if you have lived in the country for 5 years and also meet other eligibility criteria.

However, the Skilled Worker Visa does not allow you to:
– Apply for most publicly funded benefits or the State Pension.
– Switch jobs (with the same employer) or change your employer (you can do this only after updating your Visa, but this is only if you are already on the Skilled Worker Visa).

Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa if you meet all of the following criteria:
i) You are currently employed with an employer approved by the Home Office. You can verify if your employer is approved or not on the following link:

List of Approved UK Employers

If your employer is not approved at the moment, they can get themselves approved by applying for a sponsor license. They would need to make a payment of £536 (for small businesses and charities) or £1,476 (for medium and large organisations) and obtain a decision on the license application within 8 weeks.

ii) You are employed in a job that is on the list of eligible occupations. You can check whether your job is eligible for securing this visa by first checking the occupation code and then searching the code on the following link:

Occupations that make you eligible for Skilled Worker Visa

iii) You have demonstrated the necessary level of knowledge of English language .

iv) You have a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from your employer which states information regarding what work you would do in the UK.

v) You draw a salary of at least £26,200 per annum or £10.75 per hour or the ‘going rate’ for your job profile, whichever is higher. You can check the going rates of various job types by clicking on the following link:

Going Rates for Job Types and Related Job Titles for Skilled Worker Visa

There are separate criteria for minimum salary if you work in healthcare or education, which you can check out here.

Visa Validity
You can stay in the UK on the Skilled Worker visa for a duration of 5 years before you need to extend or update the visa.

Costs Involved for applying for Skilled Worker Visa
For applying for the Skilled Worker Visa, the costs could differ depending on your specific case as follows:
If you are applying from outside the UK
Standard Visa application fee is:
– £625 per person (if you plan to be in UK for up to 3 years) .
– £1235 per person (if you plan to be in UK for more than 3 years).

If you are applying from inside the UK to extend, switch, or update your visa:
Standard Visa application fee is:
– £719 per person (if you plan to be in UK for up to 3 years).
– £1423 per person (if you plan to be in UK for more than 3 years).

If your job is on the shortage occupation list:
Standard Visa application fee is:
– £479 per person (if you plan to be in UK for up to 3 years).
– £943 per person (if you plan to be in UK for more than 3 years).

Aside from this, you have to pay the healthcare surcharge of £624 for each year you plan to be in the UK (excluding dependents). You may use this link to calculate the total healthcare surcharge you might need to pay:
Check how much Healthcare Surcharge you need to Pay

In addition, you must be able to show proof of ability to support yourself when you arrive in the UK. As part of this, you need to show that you have had £1270 (through bank statements) for at least 28 consecutive days (the end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date of your visa application. There are some additional rules that you may have to follow depending on your individual case, and for more information regarding the same, you may refer to the financial requirements for Skilled Worker Visa.

Documents Required
You will need the following documents to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa:
– A valid passport (with at least one blank page) or any other travel document that displays your identity and nationality.
– Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – you will get this from your employer.
– Your job occupation code, job title, and annual salary.Name of your employer and their sponsor license number (this would be printed on your Certificate of Sponsorship).
– Proof of ability to provide for yourself (described above).
– Proof of your relationship with your partner or children.
– Tuberculosis Test Results if you belong to a country from where this is a requirement to secure a UK visa.
– A Criminal Record Certificate if you are applying from outside the UK and plan to work in areas such as education, healthcare, therapy, or social services.
– A valid ATAS Certificate if your job involves researching on a sensitive topic at a PhD level or higher.
– UK PhD Certificate or your unique Ecctis Reference Number if your qualification is from outside the UK (in which case, you would need to apply through the Ecctis platform).
You need to provide a certified translation of all your documents in case they are not in English or Welsh.

Applying for Skilled Worker Visa
For applying for the Skilled Worker Visa, the procedure could differ depending on your specific case as follows:
If you are applying from outside the UK
You will need to prove your identity which may involve:
● Securing a BRP by having your fingerprints and photograph taken at a Visa Application Centre.

OR

● Scanning your identity document using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
You need to make an online application to secure a Graduate Trainee Visa. You can do this by clicking on the link below:
[[Apply for Skilled Worker Visa from Outside the UK]]

If you need to extend your Skilled Worker Visa
You can apply for the visa extension if you meet all the following criteria:
– you are working in the same job that you had when you were granted previous permission.to enter or stay in the UK.
– your job is in the same occupation code.
– you are still working for the same employer.
You can visit the following link to do the needful:
[[Apply to Extend your Skilled Worker Visa]]
If you need to switch to Skilled Worker Visa
This is for those who are already in the UK on a different visa type and are eligible to change to the Skilled Worker Visa. There are certain rules and criteria that apply in case you want to make this switch. If you are eligible to switch to the Skilled Worker Visa, you can do so by going to the following link:
[[Apply to Switch to Skilled Worker Visa]]

Processing Time
Once you complete your online application, prove your identity, and submit your documents, the timelines to obtain a decision are as follows:
● If you are applying from outside the UK, you will get the decision within 3 weeks.
● If you are applying from inside the UK to update or switch to the Skilled Worker Visa, you will get a decision within 8 weeks.
You may experience delays if:
– Your supporting documents require verification.
– You are asked to attend an interview.
– Unique personal circumstances (such as criminal conviction in the past).
Depending on your Visa Application Centre, you may opt for priority service (decision within 5 working days) or super priority service (decision on the next working day) by paying the necessary amount.

4. Scale-up Worker Visa
This Visa gives allows you permission to come to and stay in the UK to work in an eligible job offered by a fast-growing UK business (also referred to as a ‘scale-up’ business).

What you can do and not do on a Scale-up Worker Visa ?
If you have obtained the Scale-up Worker Visa for the UK, you can:
– Work in the sponsored job for a minimum of 6 months.
– Leave your sponsored job and change your employer after a 6-month time-frame has passed while on the visa.
– Study.
– Take on additional work, including self-employment.
– Live in the UK with your partner and children as your dependants (provided they are eligible).
– Travel outside of and return to the UK.
– Do voluntary work.
– Apply to settle permanently (‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’) in the UK if you have lived in the country for 5 years and also meet other eligibility criteria.
However, the Scale-up Worker Visa does not allow you to:
– Apply for most publicly funded benefits or the State Pension.
– Work as a professional sportsperson or take up certain sports-related jobs (such as that of a sports coach).

Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for the Scale-up Worker Visa if you meet all of the following criteria:
i) You are currently employed in an eligible occupation and are paid at least whichever is the highest of £34,600 per annum or the ‘going rate’ for your job. To check the list of eligible occupations and the going rate for those occupations, you can refer to the following link:

Eligible Occupations for Scale-up Worker Visa and their Going Rates

This confirmed job offer states that you can work with the scale-up business for at least 6 months.

ii) You have demonstrated the necessary level of knowledge of English language.

iii) You have a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from your employer which states information regarding what work you would do in the UK.

Visa Validity
You can stay in the UK on the Scale-up Worker visa for a duration of 2 years before you need to extend or update the visa. You can extend this visa for as many times as you want by 3 years each time.

Costs Involved for applying for Scale-up Worker Visa
For applying for the Scale-up Worker Visa, the costs involved are as follows
– Visa application fee: £715.
– Healthcare surcharge: £624 for each year you plan to be in the UK (excluding dependants). You may use this link to calculate the total healthcare surcharge you might need to pay:
Check how much Healthcare Surcharge you will need to Pay

In addition, you must be able to show proof of ability to support yourself when you arrive in the UK. As part of this, you need to show that you have had £1270 (through bank statements) for at least 28 consecutive days (the end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date of your visa application. There are some additional rules that you may have to follow depending on your individual case, and for more information regarding the same, you may refer to the financial requirements for Scale-up Worker Visa.

Documents Required
You will need the following documents to apply for a Scale-up Worker Visa:
– A valid passport (with at least one blank page) or any other travel document that displays your identity and nationality.
– Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – you will get this from your employer
– Your job occupation code, job title, and annual salary.
– Name of your employer and their sponsor license number (this would be printed on your Certificate of Sponsorship).
– Proof of ability to provide for yourself (described above).
– Proof of your relationship with your partner or children.
– Tuberculosis Test Results if you belong to a country from where this is a requirement to secure a UK visa.
– A valid ATAS Certificate if your job involves researching on a sensitive topic at a PhD level or higher.
You need to provide a certified translation of all your documents in case they are not in English or Welsh.

Applying for Scale-up Worker Visa
As a precursor to applying for the Scale-up Worker Visa, you will need to prove your identity which may involve:
● Securing a BRP by having your fingerprints and photograph taken at a Visa Application Centre.

OR

● Scanning your identity document using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
You need to make an online application to secure a Scale-up Worker Visa. You can do this by clicking on the link below:
[[Apply for Scale-up Worker Visa]]

Processing Time
Once you complete your online application, prove your identity, and submit your documents, you will usually get the decision within 3 weeks.
You may experience delays if:
– Your supporting documents require verification.
– You are asked to attend an interview.
– Unique personal circumstances (such as criminal conviction in the past).
Depending on your Visa Application Centre, you may opt for priority service (decision within 5 working days) or super priority service (decision on the next working day) by paying the necessary amount.

5. Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
This is a replacement of the T5 Visa, and is offered to youth to secure permission to stay and work in the UK.

What you can do and not do on a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa ?
If you have obtained the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa for the UK, you can:
– Be employed with your sponsor in the job mentioned in your Certificate of Sponsorship
– Study (You may require the ATAS certificate for some programs. To check if you need it, visit this link.)
– Be self-employed and set up a company (with rented premises, equipment cost < £5,000, and no employees).
However, the Visa does not allow you to:
– Apply for most publicly funded benefits or the State Pension.
– Work as a professional sportsperson or in any such relevant job, such as a coach.
– Extend your stay.
– Bring in family members.

You can apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa if you meet all of the following criteria:
i) You are aged between 18 to 30 years.
ii) You belong to the following countries:

● Australia
● Canada
● Monaco
● New Zealand
● San Marino
● Iceland
You need to be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for this visa if you are from:
● Hong Kong
● Japan
● South Korea
● Taiwan
Indian nationals have a separate visa dedicated for them called Indian Young Professionals Scheme visa which is covered below after this visa.

Visa Validity
You can stay in the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa for a duration of 24 months.

Costs Involved for applying for Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
For applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you need to pay the following fees:
i) Visa application fee: £259.

ii) Healthcare surcharge: £470 for each year you plan to be in the UK.

iii) Proof of ability to support yourself when you arrive in the UK: £2530. You need to have had the money for at least 28 consecutive days (the end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date of your visa application.

Documents Required
You will need the following documents to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa:
– A valid passport (with at least one blank page) or any other travel document that displays your identity and nationality.
– Bank Statement with proof that you have at least £2530 in savings.
– Tuberculosis Test Results if you belong to a country from where this is a requirement to secure a UK visa.
You need to provide a certified translation of all your documents in case they are not in English or Welsh.

Applying for Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
As a precursor to applying for Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you will need to prove your identity which may involve:
● Securing a BRP by having your fingerprints and photograph taken at a Visa Application Centre.

OR

● Scanning your identity document using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
You need to make an online application to secure a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa. You can do this by clicking on the link below:
[[Apply for Youth Mobility Scheme Visa]]

Processing Time
Once you complete your online application, prove your identity, and submit your documents, you will most likely get a decision within 3 weeks.

6. India Young Professionals Scheme Visa
This Visa is offered to young Indian citizens to secure permission to stay and work in the UK.

What you can do and not do on the India Young Professionals Scheme Visa ?
If you have obtained the India Young Professionals Scheme Visa, you can:
– Be employed with your sponsor in the job mentioned in your Certificate of Sponsorship
– Study (You may require the ATAS certificate for some programs. To check if you need it, visit this link.)
– Be self-employed and set up a company (with rented premises, equipment cost < £5,000, and no employees)
However, the Visa does not allow you to:
– Apply for most publicly funded benefits or the State Pension.
– Work as a professional sportsperson or in any such relevant job, such as a coach.
– Extend your stay.
– Bring in family members.

Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for the Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa if you meet all of the following criteria:
i) You are an Indian citizen between 18-30 years of age.
ii) Have an educational qualification of bachelor’s degree or above.
iii) Do not have any children below the age of 18 who live with you or are financially dependent on you.

Visa Validity
You can stay in the UK on the India Young Professionals Scheme Visa for a duration of 24 months.

Costs Involved for applying for Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa
For applying for the Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa, you need to pay the following fees:
i) Visa application fee: £259.
ii) Healthcare surcharge: £470 for each year you plan to be in the UK .
iii) Proof of ability to support yourself when you arrive in the UK: £2530. You need to have had the money for at least 28 consecutive days (the end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date of your visa application.

Documents Required
You will need the following documents to apply for a Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa:
– A valid passport (with at least one blank page) or any other travel document that displays your identity and nationality.
– Evidence to show you have personal savings as stipulated above (you can show this through bank statements).
– Written evidence of your qualification from your college stating that you possess the required qualifications (Bachelor’s degree and above) and you have completed your studies.
– Tuberculosis Test Results if you belong to a country from where this is a requirement to secure a UK visa.
– Police report or Police Clearance Certificate.
You need to provide a certified translation of all your documents in case they are not in English or Welsh.

Applying for Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa
As a precursor to applying for Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa, you need to be successfully selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot
● Securing a BRP by having your fingerprints and photograph taken at a Visa Application Centre.

OR

● Scanning your identity document using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
You need to make an online application to secure a Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa. You can do this by clicking on the link below:
[[Apply to Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa ]]

Processing Time
Once you complete your online application, prove your identity, and submit your documents, you will most likely get a decision within 3 weeks.

Do’s and Don’ts
When preparing to apply for a Post Study Work Visa in the UK, it is essential to be mindful of certain things to ensure that you maximize your chance of obtaining a positive decision. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for you to follow:
Do’s:
● Research and understand the specific UK Work Permit Visa requirements for your situation.
● Gather all necessary documentation.
● Apply for your visa as early as possible.
● Prepare for the interview by practicing common interview questions.

Don’ts:
● Provide false or misleading information on your application.
● Overstay your current visa.
● Rely solely on advice from friends or family without verifying its accuracy.

In addition, at times, you may be asked to appear for an interview (although this is not usually the case). However, in case you are among the few who do need to appear for the interview, make sure to be prepared for it. The following are typical interview questions you may have to face:
Possible Interview Questions
The interview questions for a UK work permit visa typically focus on your employment, qualifications, travel history, your ties to your home country, your financial situation, and intentions. Here are some commonly asked questions you should be prepared to answer:
Employment
1. What position do you hold in your job?
2. Can you describe your daily tasks and responsibilities in your role?
3. Who is your current employer and how long have you been working with them?
4. What is your annual salary for this position?
Qualifications
5. What academic and professional qualifications do you possess?
6. How were these qualifications obtained?
7. How do your qualifications relate to the job you’ll be doing in the UK?
8. Are there any additional skills or training you’ve completed that are relevant to your job?
Travel History
9. Have you visited the UK previously? If so, when, and under what type of visa?
10. Have you travelled to other countries? If yes, which countries and for what duration?
11. What is the main objective of your trip to the UK?
12. Do you have any relatives or friends residing in the UK?
Intentions
13. How long do you intend to stay in the UK?
14. What are your plans after your work permit expires?
15. What connections do you have to your home country that will encourage you to return after your stay in the UK?

Applying for a Post Study Work Visa in the UK is a crucial step for international students looking to gain valuable work experience in the country after completing their studies. Understanding the different types of work visas, eligibility criteria, requirements, and the application process is essential for a successful application.
If you have scrolled down to the end of this long article, you might have realized that it seems easiest to secure a work visa if you have studied from a reputed university in the UK. And there are a ton of options, both in terms of programs as well as universities, that you can explore. Pursuing your studies from the UK can provide an excellent launch-pad for your future career. If you are interested in knowing more, you can refer to our Study in UK  page. Also, if you are yet to begin with your university applications, we would love to help you. Kindly drop your contact details below and we would schedule a free appointment with one of our counsellors.