The UK post-study work visa (PSW UK) or work permit for the UK allows international students to stay back in the UK to search for work for a period of two years after completing their graduate studies. Thousands of overseas students in the UK, especially Nepalese, make use of the Graduate Route visa to stay in the country for a minimum of two years after completion of their programme and explore jobs.

Students with a doctoral degree are permitted to stay for three years. A golden opportunity for those wishing to enter the professional zone in the UK, the Graduate Route is not sponsored. This makes it convenient for the graduates to pick up a job or search for one at any skill level. During this time, students can join internships or take up freelancing work in the country.

Eligibility for UK Graduate Visa

Applicants should note that they should be in the UK when applying for a Graduate Route. The best part is that they do not need to give evidence of any funds and nor are they required to prove English language ability as your UK university degree will itself serve as proof of the latter. Also, students should have obtained the qualification stated on the CAS associated with a Student visa or Tier 4 visa.

In order to apply for a Graduate Visa:

• You should be in the UK
• You should have studied a bachelor’s or postgraduate or other eligible degrees from the UK for a minimum duration with your Student visa or Tier 4 student visa
• You possess a visa which is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
• Your education provider should have confirmed your course completion to the home office

master's degree or Bachelor's degree holders can stay for two years in the UK to look for a job. 

The minimum time for studies in the UK is as follows:

• You must have studied for at least 12 months, if your course duration is more than 12 months
• Your time period of study must be equal to the duration of your course if your course is shorter than 12 months. For e.g., if your course is of 10 months, you must have studied for at least 10 months in the UK