Psw visa in the UK in 2025: A Complete Guide

Welcome to the UK Immigration Navigator! In this article, we are going to cover your guide to the Psw visa in the UK

The UK’s Graduate Route, often referred to as the Post Study Work (PSW) visa, offers international graduates a valuable opportunity to remain in the UK after completing their studies. This pathway allows eligible students to gain valuable work experience and explore their career options in the UK, providing a bridge between academic life and professional life. This guide will provide you with a thorough understanding of the Graduate Route, its eligibility criteria, the application process, and the possibilities it opens for your future in the UK.

Understanding the Psw visa in the UK

The Graduate Route is designed to allow international students who have completed their degree studies at a UK higher education provider, to stay and work in the UK for some time. This route is separate from the student visa and is not tied to any particular employer or educational institution once granted.

The Graduate Route offers two options based on the level of the degree obtained:

• Two Years: Graduates who have completed an undergraduate degree or a master’s degree at a qualifying institution can stay in the UK for up to two years.
• Three Years: Graduates who have completed a PhD at a qualifying institution can stay in the UK for up to three years.

One of the advantages of the Graduate Route is that it provides a pathway to stay in the UK legally and gain experience within the UK’s workplace without needing employer sponsorship. This flexibility provides graduates with time to explore diverse employment options, build their professional networks, and contribute to the UK economy.

Key Benefits of the Graduate Route

• Flexibility: Graduates can work at any job and any skill level. This flexibility allows them to explore different career paths, including those outside their field of study.
• No Sponsorship Required: Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, graduates do not need to be sponsored by an employer to take this route. This reduces barriers to employment, especially for recent graduates.
• Time to Build Experience: Whether it’s gaining valuable experience to further your career or exploring your entrepreneurial aspirations, the Graduate Route allows time for graduates to achieve these goals.
• Please contribute to the UK Economy: The route allows graduates to contribute their knowledge and skills to the UK economy, and bring diverse perspectives to workplaces.
• Family Considerations: The family members of the main student visa holder are usually able to remain in the UK as dependants after the main visa holder switches to the Graduate Route. However, there are some restrictions – see the FAQ section for more information on this.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Route, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Valid Student Visa: You must hold a valid student visa at the time of your application.
2. Successful Completion of Studies: You must have completed an undergraduate degree or above at a qualifying UK higher education provider that has a track record of compliance with UK immigration rules.
3. In-UK Study: You must have been in the UK during your study period, with limited exceptions for ‘study abroad’ programs or Covid-19-related disruptions that may have required students to study outside the UK.
4. No Previous Graduate Route Visa: You cannot have previously held a Graduate Route visa.
5. Security Checks: You must pass security, identity, and criminality checks.
6. Payment of Fees: You must pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
7. Scholarship Requirements: If you are studying in the UK on a government scholarship, your home government must consent to your remaining in the UK under the Graduate Route.
8. Qualifying Course: Your course must be eligible, which includes the following:
   • A UK Bachelor’s Degree
   • A UK Postgraduate Degree, including PhDs and Master’s degrees
   • Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
   • The Legal Practice Course (LPC)
   • The Bar Practice Course (BPTC)
   • Foundation program in Medicine or Dentistry
   • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
   • Professional course that is a regulatory requirement to work at the UK bachelor’s degree level or above.

How to Apply for the Graduate Route

The application for the Graduate Route must be submitted online from within the UK, while your student visa is still valid. Here is a general outline of the application process:

1. Ensure You Meet Eligibility: Confirm that you meet all the eligibility requirements mentioned above.
2. Wait for Confirmation: Your sponsoring educational institution will notify the Home Office that you have completed your program. The visa applicant does not need to wait for graduation or a completion certificate to apply for the Graduate Route visa.
3. Prepare Required Documents: Gather all the necessary documents (a valid passport or travel document, the CAS number from the student visa, and any additional documentation specific to your case).
4. Complete Online Application: Fill in the online application form on the Gov.uk website with all the necessary details.
5. Pay Fees: Pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) online when applying. The current cost of a Graduate Visa application is £715. Also, you will need to pay the NHS surcharge, which is currently £624 per year. For two-year visas, this would be £1248, and for three-year visas, the IHS will be £1872.
6. Submit Biometrics: Attend a biometric appointment to provide your fingerprints and a photograph. This is done after you have submitted the online application and made the online payments.
7. Await Decision: Once all the required steps have been taken, the application will be considered, and a decision will be made. A decision is normally made within 8 weeks, but this may be longer in some cases.

What Happens After Your Graduate Route Visa Expires?

It’s important to understand that the Graduate Route visa is not extendable. Time spent on this visa does not count towards settlement in the UK. Therefore, before your visa expires, it is essential to plan for your next visa route, should you wish to remain in the UK. Here are some of the most common options for remaining in the UK:

• Skilled Worker Visa: If you are employed in a skilled role and your employer is licensed to sponsor workers, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You must meet the job requirements, and salary threshold (currently at least £29,600 per year), and be employed by a licensed sponsor. There are exceptions for shortage occupations, where the threshold can be slightly less than the salary criteria.
• Innovator Founder Visa: If you have entrepreneurial ambitions, you can look at starting a business and taking the Innovator Founder visa route.
• Family-Based Visa: If you have a relationship with a person who is settled in the UK, you could explore a family-based visa, such as the partner route.
• Returning to Your Home Country: If none of the other options are viable or desirable, you may need to make plans to return to your home country.

Important Things to Consider

• No Public Funds: Under the Graduate Route, you will not be able to access public funds.
• Supplementary Study Restrictions: While you are permitted to undertake supplementary study, this cannot be at an institution that sponsors students for Tier 4 General student visas.
• Professional Sportsperson: You will not be permitted to work as a professional sportsperson whilst in the UK on a Graduate Route visa.

FAQ

• Can family members apply to join me on a Graduate Route Visa? Family members who are already lawfully in the UK as dependants of the student visa will be able to remain as dependants. However, new dependents cannot join the Graduate visa holder from overseas. The exception to this is for children born in the UK.
• Can I switch from a Graduate Route visa to another visa? Yes, you can switch to another eligible visa route from within the UK, such as the Skilled Worker visa, provided you meet the eligibility requirements of that route.
• Do I need to provide English language proof? No, you do not need to provide English language test proof for this visa application.
• Is there a financial requirement for the Graduate Route visa? There is no financial requirement for the Graduate Route.
• What if my study was disrupted due to Covid-19? As long as the educational institution is a registered sponsor and has confirmed that the student has completed the requirements for the award, then the disruption to face-to-face teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic should not affect the eligibility. However, each case should be reviewed in line with the guidance, which is subject to change.

Conclusion

The UK Graduate Route offers a valuable opportunity for international graduates to stay and work in the UK. By understanding the eligibility requirements, the application process, and the options available after your visa expires, you can make informed decisions about your future in the UK. This guide has covered all the key elements of the Graduate Route to set you on the path to success in your post-study career.

Remember to regularly check the official UK government website for the most up-to-date information and guidance on immigration rules.