The below are a selection of some of the most popular visa routes that international students use after successfully completing their course.
You can check the full range of immigration routes available using the Home Office's tool here and inputting your individual circumstances.
We aim to keep these pages and other resources on post-study visa options up to date with the most recent immigration rules but please note that those rules are subject to change, often at very short notice.
Please note that while the International Advice Team is happy to guide you in regards the general eligibility of these visas, we are unable to provide you with explicit immigration advice or support in making an application as outlined in our conditions of service.
Video Guide
Please follow the link to our Post-Study Visa Options Webinar delivered in November 2023. Please note that since this video was recorded, there has been a further update to the Immigration Rules that requires applicants to the Skilled Worker visa to earn a higher wage (in most cases at least £30,960 per year). These changes are set to come into effect for applications submitted from 4 April 2024 onwards. You can find details of the full rule changes here.
Changing your visa while studying
In July 2023, the UK Government changed the immigration rules to make it harder for Student visa holders to switch into some of the below visa categories before they complete their course (an explanation of what course completion means in this context is provided below). If you are planning to apply for any of the below visas before completing your course then we recommend that you contact us for further advice and to ensure that you retain a right to study in the UK.
The Graduate route visa is also commonly known as the post-study work visa (PSW) .
Read our detailed guidance on applying for the Graduate visa
The Innovator Founder visa is for graduates who wish to start their own business in the UK.
Your business idea must be
- new - you cannot join a business that is already trading
- innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
- viable, with potential for growth
- scalable - you must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets
Before applying for the visa, you must gain an endorsement from 1 of the 3 endoring bodies recognised by the UK government.
Envestors Limited
UK Endorsing Services
Innovator International
Innovator visas are granted for an initial 3 year period and can be extended providing that the you receive further endorsement from a recognised body (see above).
The Innovator visa is a fast track to settlement meaning that you are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after having spent 3 years in the UK on this visa (see below).
While holding this visa you are permitted to
- set up a business or several businesses
- work for your business
- carry out other employment outside your business
- bring your depedents
Important Note - While holding a Student visa you must not engage in any business activity or become self-employed. Doing so risks the status of your Student visa and could prejudice your chances of obtaining other UK visas in the future. See our working during studies pages for details of the kind of work you can and cannot do while you hold a Student visa.
The Skilled Worker visa is the most common form of immigration permission held by those who wish to seek full-time permanent employment in the UK.
The Skilled worker visa is a 'sponsored route' which means you will need to find an employer (a sponsor) who can issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS).
The Skilled Worker Visa is part of the UK’s 'Points Based Immigration System'. To be granted the visa you must be awarded 70 points
Mandatory categories
- 20 points – have a job offer from an approved sponsor
- 20 points – the offer must be for a suitable job
- 10 points – speak English at the required level
Total 50 points
Optional/Tradable categories
The final 20 points need to be obtained from any of or a combination of the following categories:
- 10 or 20 points – For finding a job with an appropriate annual salary. The level of salary you are required to reach depends upon the job in question whether it is on the shortage occupation list and whether you are classed as a 'new entrant' at the point of application
- 20 points – a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job
- 10 points – any other PhD in a subject relevant to the job.
When to apply?
In July 2023, the UK Government changed the immigration rules and prevented most Student visa holders from switching to the Skilled Worker visa before the completion of their course.
Undergraduate (bachelors degree) and Post-graduate taught (masters degree) students can apply to switch to the Skilled Worker visa
- After the course end date shown on your CAS, or
- 3 months before the course end date on your CAS, providing that the start date on your COS is after the course end date on your CAS
Post-graduate research students (PhD) can apply to switch to the Skilled Worker visa
- 24 months after the course start date listed on their CAS
The UKVI have confirmed that where a Student visa holder completes their course earlier than expected and before the course end date on your CAS, that they will look at any reports of early completion that the University makes to establish when you completed your course. If you are finishing your course earlier than expected, then please seek advice from us on when your new course completion date will be.
Finding a job after studies
If you are considering switching to the Skilled Worker visa after completing your studies then you will first need to find a suitable employer and job (see above). Royal Holloway's Careers Team can support you with your job search and have recently invested in an e-learning resource that you can access here
The Global Talent visa is for graduates who are internationally recognised or likely to become world leaders in arts and culture, humanities and social sciences, natural sciences and medical science research, engineering or digital technology.
Most applicants must receive an endorsement from a designated body. The endorsing body you need to approach will depend upon which field you are planning to work in.
If you are the holder of one of the prizes listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes then you will not need an endorsement prior to making your visa application.
You may be eligible either now or in the future to settled in the UK and remain here indefinitely without the need of applying for further immigration permission.
The length of time that you need to have been living legally in the UK before applying to settle here depends on the visa(s) that you hold or have held in the past.
For example, the Student visa and Graduate visa are not 'routes to settlement' and would only count towards the 10 year long residency route.
Whereas, the Global Talent and Skilled Worker visas are 5 year routes to settlement and the Innovator Founder visa is a 3 year route the settlement.
You can find full details on how to become eligible for settlement and how to apply on the pages here.
We strongly advise that you seek the support of an immigration professional registered with the Office for the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) before submitting an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.