Graduate Visa

This visa enables international students who have studied in the UK to remain for at least 2 years after completing their studies.
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Graduate Visa

The Graduate visa opened on 1 July 2021 and this route enables international students who have studied in the UK to remain for at least 2 years after completing their studies (or 3 years for those who have completed a PhD degree or other doctoral qualification).

If the visa is granted the applicant can do any type of work, including on a self-employed basis, except working as a professional sportsperson or coach.

This route does not lead to settlement in the UK however can count towards 10 years lawful residenceindefinite leave to remain in the UK. You will be able to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa and many other routes from the UK.

How can we help?

We pride ourselves on the presentation of our applications to the Home Office. You can be assured that your application process will be managed in a professional and organised manner. We will be with you every step of the way

Key contact

Usof Shah PNG
Usof Shah
Legal Director

What our clients say about us

We have also greatly benefited from the excellent work of Usof Shah, Immigration Director, whose expertise has been instrumental in helping our members address critical skills shortages in the construction industry. Usof has provided clear, actionable guidance on immigration laws, empowering our members to legally employ skilled foreign workers and sustain their businesses. His commitment extends beyond traditional legal services - he has delivered live webinars and offered free advice to some of our SME members, which was highly valued and, in several cases, helped save their companies. This combination of deep legal expertise, accessibility, and genuine care for clients' success sets him apart from others in the field.

Throughout my UK career, I came across many solicitors and solicitor firms. But Herrington Carmichael is the best so far. Their quick response, wider knowledge, and straightforward decisions come with a very competitive advisory fee. I can easily recommend them, and I did. Their success rate for me is 100%. In a nutshell, they are brilliant.

The individual deals with my requirements and makes sure I fully understand what he is advising and what the best way to proceed is.

Responsive, commercial, and able to explain immigration requirements in clear, simple terms.

The individuals we work with stand out for being approachable, knowledgeable, and responsive. Usof Shah, in particular, has been extremely professional, helpful, and practical in his advice.

Usof Shah stands out for his strong combination of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and responsiveness. He is able to explain complex immigration matters in a clear and practical way while remaining highly approachable and solutions-oriented throughout the process. What differentiates him from competitors is the level of personal attention and ownership he brings to matters. He is proactive, detail-oriented, and demonstrates a strong understanding of the operational and business needs of his clients rather than approaching matters from a purely technical perspective. I have particularly valued his responsiveness, clear communication, and ability to manage matters efficiently under tight timelines. He consistently provides pragmatic advice and maintains a high level of professionalism, which creates a strong sense of confidence and reliability throughout the engagement.

Usof Shah and his team stood out for their professionalism, responsiveness, and clear communication.

Herrington Carmichael’s team stands out for its strong expertise in immigration matters, combined with a highly personalized and responsive service. Over the past few years, they supported me and three members of my family, managing each of our individual cases efficiently and professionally. Compared to other firms, they are notably more organized and responsive.

Thank you for helping me to apply the exceptional assurance and I got the application succeed very quickly.

Usof was a pleasure to work with and his wealth of knowledge on the topic of immigration law was evident. We collaboratively delivered a successful webinar to hundreds of construction professionals on the post-Brexit immigration system and Usof was able to answer complex questions on the spot, demonstrating his attention to detail and professionalism. We would not hesitate to recommend Usof and Herrington Carmichael.

Usof Shah has been a great source of information and guidance both in setting up to become a sponsor and also in getting candidates sponsored.

The team provides useful guidance and support on the pitfalls and processes of being a sponsor. The team helps set everything up to become a sponsor as well as assisting with processing CoS applications.

Meet our experts

Dedicated professionals ready to assist you.

Usof Shah PNG
Legal Director
Neelu-Gurung-PNG
Paralegal

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your most pressing questions about our services and processes.

You can apply for the graduate visa if you meet the following requirements:

  • you are currently in the UK
  • you currently hold a Student or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
  • You studied a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or another eligible course for the minimum period of time on your current visa
  • your education provider has informed the Home Office that you have completed your studies

It usually takes 8 weeks to get a decision. You can stay in the UK while waiting.

Your family can join you if they were dependants on your Student or Tier 4 (General) visa.

You will need to prove that you are still in a relationship with your partner. You will need to prove your relationship with your child(ren) and that they are dependent on you.

You will need:

  • A valid passport
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider when you applied for your Student Visa
  • Your biometric residence permit from your student visa

You might also need:

  • proof of your relationship with your partner and chiildren if they are applying
  • tuberculosis test results if you are from a qualifying country
  • written consent from your financial sponsor if you have received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs

The fees charged by Home Office can be found on their official website here.

Yes. You will need to pay £1,035 per year that the visa is valid for. You need to pay the full amount at once.

You will need to show that you can support yourself, or that your parents are supporting you.

Course Fee

You will need to demonstrate that you have enough money to pay for your first academic year. This amount paid will be noted on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Money to Support Yourself

You will need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself. Where you study will dictate the amount:

  • In London: £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months)
  • Outside of London: £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months)

If you are boarding, you will need to pay those fees instead and it will be noted on your CAS.

Yes. You will need to demonstrate evidence of the language requirement through:

  • Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
  • through a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, or from a school in the UK.

If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP) or a passport from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you can scan it using the the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.

If neither of the above applies to you, you will need to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to have your fingerprints and photographs taken to prove your identity and for your BRP.

You will need to apply for a different visa, like a Skilled Workers Visa.

You will be able to stay for 2 years. If you have a PHD or other doctoral qualification you can stay for 3 years. The visa starts the day it is approved.

You will be able to:

  • Work in most jobs
  • Job hunt
  • be self-employed
  • live with your partner and children if they are eligible
  • volunteer
  • travel abroad and return

If you wish to study, you will need to ensure that your chosen course is not eligible for a Student Visa. If it is, you will need to extend your Student Visa.

You will not have access to most public funds or benefits. Nor will you be able to work as a professional sportsperson.