UK Offers 2 Years Post Study Work Visa

Posted by Binod Bihari Barik on September 26th, 2019

The new graduate route will allow eligible international students to work in the field of their choice, for two years after completing their studies.

On September 11, the UK government announced a new two-year post-study work (PSW) visa for international students. This is a sharp U-turn from the work visa policies set by Theresa May seven years ago. The immigration route will be open to all international students completing an undergraduate course or higher. 

The Story so Far 

Earlier, the work visa was limited to four-months for any bachelor or master’s graduate to secure a job in the UK. For most, the post-study work visa for the UK, circa 2019, was something that most students assumed wasn’t meant for them. Things, however, have changed.

The new graduate route will allow students to work for two years after they have successfully completed their course. However, it is important to note that only the students who are enrolling in courses beginning or ending in the 2020-21 academic year will benefit from the new immigration routes. 

Cause for the Change in Rules 

After the post-study work visa permit was scrapped by the then home secretary, Theresa May, in 2012, the UK saw a sharp drop in the number of international students. With a work visa limit of as low as four months, it lost all its edge as an international market for higher education. Over the years, universities, colleges, and even corporates were clamoring for a relaxation of these norms. With the specter of Brexit looming large over the national consciousness it was the time that some positive news makes its way into popular discourse.

The UK as a Destination for International Students 

Going to the UK to study is on the bucket list of a lot of students around the world. It is a great way to experience a different culture, studying with a diverse group of people and getting to live in one of the most culturally rich countries in the world. The UK offers shorter courses compared to most parts of the world, enabling students to save on multiple things, such as accommodation, tuition, etc. With the PSW Visa for UK reopening, it throws open the doors for a number of students around the world to live their dreams in Great Britain. 

Prospects for Indians Students in the UK 

The United Kingdom is the second favorite destination for Indians to study, with the United States of America at the top. Since the introduction of the new graduate route, which is the PSW Visa for the UK, it is likely that Britain may well become the most preferred destination of Indian Students. 

“With the reintroduction of the post-study work visa, we think more Indian students will choose the UK. And with the anti-immigration policies in the US we expect that the UK will soon gain the top spot in terms of attractiveness to Indian students,” said Sanam Arora, chairperson of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union in the UK.

 This announcement comes hot on the heels of a fast-track visa route for scientists and the elimination of the limit on Ph.D. students choosing to go the skilled work visa route. This, in turn, will make UK one of the leaders in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

According to statistics, half of the Indian students moving to the UK chose a STEM subject for their higher studies. PSW Visa UK, 2019, will ensure that more students from India can make the UK their home for the future. 

Timeline for Enforcement of the Rules 

This new graduate route upsets a lot of international students, as those who are about to begin their terms or already studying there, will not be applicable to them. So, any student starting their one year master’s now and graduating in 2020 will not benefit. But, any student currently pursuing a two-year, three-year or four-year undergraduate course which ends in 2021 will be able to use the new route.

 There is, however, quite a lot of confusion among international students already studying in the UK regarding their eligibility. Current international students, with valid Tier 4 visa leave, on the time of the announcement, i.e. 11 September 2019, are expected to be eligible for the post-study visa UK 2019.

On the bright side, the UK has joined the league of countries offering post-study work visa opportunities, with the US, Canada, Australia, and others. The new graduate route gives students a chance to work in any field of their choice, giving employers to get great and talented minds on board.

 Although Indian students still preferred to travel to the UK to study without the post-study work visa option, the possibility of getting a post-study work visa is always a great option to have. It will enable them to get the working culture exposure which will help shape their careers. Also, getting a chance to work for two years will be a huge advantage financially.