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Scotland has some of the best universities in the world, excellent research facilities, and offers a variety of courses. Moreover, students who have studied in Scottish universities can apply for a post-study work visa. Due to these reasons, Scotland is a popular choice for students wanting to study abroad. Students who are planning to study in Scotland must be aware of this visa or the graduate visa. Therefore, in this blog, we have explained about the Scotland post study work visa in detail.
This Blog Includes:
- Does Scotland Give Work Permit After Study?
- Eligibility Criteria for the Scotland Post Study Work Visa
- Documentation Requirements for Scotland Post Study Work Visa
- Additional Documentation Requirements
- Application Process for the Scotland Post Study Work Visa
- Scotland Post Study Work Visa Validity & Processing Time
- Scotland Post Study Work Visa Fees
- Other Visa Options After Completing Studies in Scotland
- FAQs
Does Scotland Give Work Permit After Study?
Yes. Scotland offers a post-study work permit to students. Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, the Scotland post study work visa is the graduate visa UK. There is no separate work permit given. The graduate visa permits the student to stay in the UK for a total of 2 years and seek employment opportunities. The applicant must be in the UK at the time of application. The Scotland post study work visa application fee is around £822.
Learn about the post-study work visa in the UK
Eligibility Criteria for the Scotland Post Study Work Visa
The eligibility criteria for the post study work visa are as follows. Students must meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the Scotland visa.
- The applicant must be in the UK
- Must have a Student visa or Tier 4 visa (general) at the time of application
- Additionally, the applicant must have completed a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or any other eligible degree for a minimum period with the student visa
- The university must have informed the Home Office that the applicant has completed the course.
Learn about the UK Post-Study Work Visa Eligibility Requirements
Documentation Requirements for Scotland Post Study Work Visa
The post study work visa documentation requirements are provided below. To apply, the student must gather these documents and submit them along with the application form.
- Must have a valid passport or a travel document that proves the identity and the nationality of the applicant
- The applicant must have a BRP (biometric residence permit) that was given at the time of the student visa application
- Present the CAS or the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number. The reference number was given at the time of the student visa or General Tier 4 visa
Additional Documentation Requirements
Apart from the above-mentioned documents, for the Scotland post study work visa the student also requires other documents. That is, if applicable.
- Proof of relationship with the spouse or children if they are applying with the applicant
- A letter from the scholarship/sponsorship provider (required if they have paid for the living expenses and the tuition fees in the last 12 months)
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Application Process for the Scotland Post Study Work Visa
The application process for the Scotland Post Study Work Visa is as follows. Interested students can follow the steps below and apply for the same.
- Prove the identity and provide the supporting documents by scanning the BRP with the Immigration: ID Check app. Those who are from Swizerland, Norway, or the EU only need to scan their passports
- Those who cannot scan their BRP or passport with the app will be asked to provide their fingerprints and photograph at the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
- At the time of application, further steps regarding the application process will be told to the applicant
- In case the applicant needs an appointment, the centre will keep the passport and the other relevant documents to process the application
- The applicant is not permitted to travel outside the country, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man till a decision has been made
Watch the video below to learn how to apply for a post study work visa UK
Scotland Post Study Work Visa Validity & Processing Time
The post study work visa validity and processing time are provided below. Students must check these before applying for a post study work visa.
| Scotland Post Study Work Visa Validity | 2 years |
| Scotland Post Study Work Visa Processing Time | 8 weeks |
Note: the applicant will be contacted in case the visa processing takes longer. The visa processing takes longer if the supporting documents need to be verified or due to the personal circumstances of the applicant.
Scotland Post Study Work Visa Fees
The fees of the Scotland post study work visa consist of the application fee and the healthcare surcharge. The exact fee amount is provided in the table below.
| Particulars | Fees |
| Application Fees | £822 |
| Healthcare Surcharge | £1,035 for each year you’ll be in the UK |
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Other Visa Options After Completing Studies in Scotland
Apart from the Scotland post study work visa, there are other visa options that a student can consider. To apply, the graduate student must meet the eligibility requirements of the specific visa type.
- Innovator Founder Visa: This visa can be applied by individuals with an innovative and scalable idea for a business they have generated or to which they have contributed. To switch from a student visa to an innovator visa the applicant must have completed the course and must have studied PhD in Scotland for at least 24 months
- Skilled Worker Visa: If the applicant has an employer who is willing to sponsor the applicant, then a skilled worker visa can be applied. To obtain this visa, the applicant must have already completed the course, the start date on the certificate of sponsorship must be after the course has been completed, and the applicant must have completed a PhD degree for at least 24 months in Scotland.
- Scale-up visa: A Scotland scale-up visa can be applied by those who have already received a job offer from a qualifying UK scale-up that is willing to sponsor the applicant. To switch from a student visa to a scale-up visa the applicant must have completed the course, the start date on the certificate of sponsorship must be after the course has been completed, and the applicant must have completed a PhD degree for at least 24 months in Scotland.
FAQs
To receive a PR in Scotland the applicant must have lived in Scotland for at least 5 years and must have exercised the free movement rights. After setting in the country for 12 months the citizenship application can be made.
The Scottish Connections visa permits the visa holder to stay in Scotland after studying in the country. In such circumstances, the applicant can stay for another 5 years after the course completion.
Yes. You can work in Scotland with a student visa or a Tier 4 visa. However, the student cannot undertake self-employment or any business activity as a professional or semi-professional sportsperson. For example, a sports coach.
We hope you now understand what is the Scotland Post Study Work Visa. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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