If you’re wondering how to apply for a PSW visa in the UK, you’re in the right place! The UK’s Post Study Work (PSW) visa, officially called the Graduate Route, allows international students to stay and work in the UK for up to two years after completing their studies. This temporary visa is a fantastic opportunity to gain work experience and explore career prospects. If you are also planning to pursue a career path in the UK, you need to know everything about the UK Post Study Work Visa on your fingertips. Howeverm remembering all this information at once can be overwhelming. Worry not! In this blog, you will read all about how to apply for a PSW visa in the UK, list of documents, eligibility requirements, and more details. Let’s break it down step by step!
Particulars | Details |
Visa Type | Post Study Work |
Short Name | PSW |
Eligibile Canidates | International Students |
Duration | 2 years 3 years |
Cost | £822 application fee £1,035 healthcare surcharge per year |
Official Website | https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/apply |
This Blog Includes:
- PSW Visa in UK Latest Update
- How to Apply for PSW Visa in UK? Graduate Visa Process UK
- UK Post Study Work Visa Eligibility
- Documents Required for PSW Visa in UK
- When to Apply for PSW Visa in the UK?
- How Much does it Cost to Apply for PSW in the UK?
- How Long can you Stay in the UK with Graduate Visa?
- Government of UK PSW Visa Guidelines
- What You can and cannot do with A PSW Visa in the UK
- FAQs
PSW Visa in UK Latest Update
Recently, there have been no big changes in the graduate visa in the UK. However, the immigration authorities have increased the immigration health surcharge (IHS) for visas. The amount required for the IHS was initially £624 per year. Whereas, now the amount is £1,035 per year. These changes will be implemented from the 16th of January 2024. Nonetheless, plans to cut the duration of such visas have been in vain so far.
However, candidates applying for the PSW Visa in the UK can apply for the visa before the completion of their course or duration of the study. UK is a country which has witnessed a large number of students for STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) after the USA. Graduate students enrolled in programmes at any government-approved UK higher education institution are eligible for the post-study work visa.
How to Apply for PSW Visa in UK? Graduate Visa Process UK
The candidates who have completed their studies and want to work in the United Kingdom have to apply for the PSW or Graduate route. Below mentioned are the steps for the application process of PSW:
1. Visit the official website of the UK government
2. Then scroll down and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button.
3. Fill in the required details on the form.
4. Upload the documents like Passport, BRP Card and Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies reference number.
5. Pay the PSW application fee and the immigration healthcare surcharge.
6. Click on the submit button.
UK Post Study Work Visa Eligibility
You need to be in the UK to apply for the Graduate Visa and follow the below-mentioned eligibility criteria:
- Your current visa is a Tier 4 General Student Visa
- You have studied undergraduate, postgraduate, or other eligibile degree in the UK
- Your education provider has told the Home Office about the completion of your course
Documents Required for PSW Visa in UK
When the students are applying for a PSW visa in the UK they have to upload or attach some documents. We have enlisted here the documents required for the PSW visa application:
- Passport or other valid travel documents
- Biometric Residence Permit
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when the candidate applied for the student visa.
- Proof of relationship of your family members if they are applying with the candidate.
- a letter of approval from the scholarship/sponsorship provider if they have paid the student course or living fees in the last 12 months.
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When to Apply for PSW Visa in the UK?
The candidates who want to apply for the Post Study Work Visa in the UK must apply before their Teir 4 General student visa expires. They can also apply before the university or college has declared that their course has been finished. It is important to apply timely to avoid any discrepancies.
How Much does it Cost to Apply for PSW in the UK?
The applicants applying for PSW have to pay the Post Study Work Visa fees (the graduate route visa costs £822) and also the immigration healthcare surcharge of £1,035 per person per year.
How Long can you Stay in the UK with Graduate Visa?
In most cases, a graduate visa or post-study work visa lasts for 2 years. However, if the student has a PhD or other doctoral qualification, they can stay for up to 3 years.
Also, the candidate cannot extend a graduate visa, but they are allowed to apply for a different visa to remain in the UK. For instance, they can switch to the Skilled Worker Visa.
Do Check Out
- Apply for Graduate Visa UK
- How to Make a UK Visa Application?
- UK Student Visa Appointment: Step-wise Guide
Government of UK PSW Visa Guidelines
The government of UK provides every necessary guideline for the students without leaving any loopholes to successfully apply for the visas. The PSW visa guidelines are also listed by the Government of UK. All the important points regarding these guidelines are mentioned below.
- If you are willing to bring dependents, check the new guidelines for a dependent visa.
- Moreover, your partner, children or any dependents will have to apply separately for the visa.
- Very carefully check all the documents required before starting and submitting your visa application.
- Make sure you have proved your identity with the biometric residence permit (BRP) on the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
- To make a new account, you will have to sign in to your existing UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
- If the app is not a feasible option for you, then visit the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point for biometrics.
- You can also choose to withdraw your application if need be. In that case, your fee will also be refunded.
- If you get approval, you can prove your right to live and work in the UK online.
What You can and cannot do with A PSW Visa in the UK
With the Graduate visa or Post Study Work Visa, students are allowed and not allowed to do a bunch of tasks such as:
- The applicants can look for work
- Moreover, PSW visa holders can also get self-employed
- The applicants can live with their partner and children in the UK
- They can also undertake voluntary work
- The applicants can travel from and to the UK freely on the PSW visa.
- The candidate must be in the UK before the visa decision arrives.
- The candidate must have done graduation or postgraduation from the UK.
FAQs
The Validity of Post Study Work (PSW) visa for the UK is 2 years and it cannot be extended. The students who want to extend their stay can switch to other kinds of Visa.
The students can apply for Post Study Work (PSW) Visa for the UK if they can apply from the official website of the UK Government. The candidates have to upload the necessary documents in the application form.
The application fees for Post Study Work (PSW) visa for the UK are (the graduate route visa costs £715) and the immigration healthcare surcharge of £624 per person per year.
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