Indian students who have graduated from a UK university will now be able to apply for a post-work study visa for two years without any need for a sponsor. Rabeya Lima reports.
The Graduate route visa will open for applications on July 1, to international students who successfully complete a degree at undergraduate level or above in the UK. Those who graduate and whose Tier 4 or student visa leave expires before the route is introduced will not be eligible.
“As we rebuild ourselves from the global pandemic, we want the world’s brightest talent, who aspire to careers at the highest levels of business, science, the arts and technology, to see our Kingdom- United as the natural place to achieve their aspirations, ”said Kevin Foster, Minister for Future Borders and Immigration.
The grace period for students affected by corona virus travel restrictions and forced into distance learning last year now have until June 21 to be physically present in the UK to be eligible for the new route, extended further from the April 6 deadline.
Students who started their studies in January or February 2021 will need to be in the UK by September 27.
The new route is part of the UK government’s international education strategy to increase the number of international students in higher education in the UK to 600,000 by 2030.
