This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Read our cookie policy

Overview of working visas

If you wish to work in the UK after you have completed your studies then you will need to check if you are eligible to apply for a visa under any of the current visa routes operated by the Home Office. This page (along with the more detailed pages accessible via the left hand navigation) aims to give you a basic understanding of the most relevant routes available to students who have completed their studies. You may also like to visit the UKCISA website which also hosts useful information regarding working in the UK after your studies.

Note that you will, in most cases, have to pay an immigration health surcharge.

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur - Please note this scheme closed on 5th July 2019

This scheme is for graduates who have been identified by the University as having developed world-class innovative ideas or entrepreneurial skills. This scheme will enable graduates to stay in the UK after graduation, to establish one or more businesses based in the UK with the support of the institution. There is a limit of 1000 places per year, with a maximum of 10 places per participating institution. Leave to remain is initially granted for one year but this can be extended by a further year, giving a maximum of two years under this route.

Start-up Visa

The Start-up visa route is designed for people who wish to start up a new business in the UK and who have a business plan endorsed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body. While the scheme opened on the 29th March 2019, and was designed to replace the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route, applications could be made under Tier 1 GE until the 5th July 2019.  

The Start-up route is designed to be a broader scheme than the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur, and now allows additional categories to apply for leave in the UK.

Skilled Workers

This visa is for foreign nationals who have a job offer for a skilled job which cannot be fulfilled by a settled national. An employer who is on the Home Office register of sponsors can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to a potential employee who would not otherwise be allowed to work in the UK. This replaced Tier 2 (General) on 1st December 2020

Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme

This is a one year scheme for successful students who are completing a course at doctoral level. It is intended to allow students to look for and gain work in the UK. Sponsorship will still lie with the student’s University, which will need to provide a CAS statement for students they wish to continue sponsoring. Students will be required to fulfill University and Home Office monitoring procedures throughout the year if granted. Students who have successfully found employment may be able to subsequently switch into a Tier 1 or Tier 2 category.

Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme

The Youth Mobility Scheme is for young people from participating countries to experience life in the UK. Under this category you can work for up to two years. Each year the UK government allocates a maximum number of applications per country and territory. Please visit the UKCISA web page for more information.

The participating countries for 2018 are:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • Monaco
  • New Zealand
  • Hong Kong
  • Republic of Korea
  • Taiwan

If you are either a passport-holder or a citizen of one of the countries or territories above, and that country or territory has not exceeded their annual allowance, you may be eligible to apply under the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme. Your national government will be your sponsor during your stay.

You may also apply under this scheme if you are a British National Overseas (BNO). If you are a British Overseas Citizen or a British Overseas Territories Citizen then you will not need a sponsor for this visa route. There is also no maximum limit for applications if you fall under the BNO rules.