Global Career Advantage recently hosted a live webinar with Kim Day, Senior Immigration Adviser and Founder of White Rose Visas, to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of UK immigration for international students. With significant changes on the horizon, Kim provided invaluable insights into the primary visa routes available after your studies.
The Graduate Visa vs. The Skilled Worker Visa: An Overview
Kim kicked off by clarifying the two main pathways for international students looking to remain in the UK after graduating:

  • The Graduate Visa (formerly Post-Study Work or PSW): This visa grants you two years of unrestricted work in the UK. It’s incredibly flexible – you can work full-time, part-time, be self-employed, or even have periods of not working. It’s often the easiest and most popular initial option after your studies.

  • The Skilled Worker Visa (formerly Tier 2 General): This route requires you to have a job offer from a Home Office-registered employer who can issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship. This visa ties you to that specific employer, although some supplementary employment is permitted. If you want to change jobs, you’ll generally need to switch your visa.
kim-day-white-rose-visas-immigration-expert

Kim Day
Senior Immigration Adviser and Founder
White Rose Visas

Key Questions Answered: Your Path to Staying in the UK
We had a fantastic turnout, with hundreds of questions submitted. Here are some of the most pressing topics we covered:
When Can You Apply for the Graduate Visa?
This is crucial! You must not apply for your Graduate Visa until your university has formally notified the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed your course. Applying even a day before this notification could lead to a refusal, and you won’t get your application fee back. Your university’s international student services or equivalent department should email you once this report has been made.
Can You Extend Your Visa While Job Searching?
If you’re nearing the end of your student visa and haven’t secured a job, the Graduate Visa is your most straightforward option. If you’re at the end of your Graduate Visa and still job searching for a Skilled Worker role, temporary extensions are only possible in extreme, specific circumstances.
Which Route is “Better”: Graduate or Skilled Worker?
This is a popular question, and it’s become more complex due to recent policy changes.
  • Graduate Visa: Offers great flexibility for two years*, allowing you to explore different job roles and types of employment. However, time on this visa does not directly count towards the five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is permanent residency. It does count towards the 10-Year Long Residence route.
  • Skilled Worker Visa: Historically, this route was preferred as it directly contributed to the five-year ILR path.

However, Kim highlighted a significant upcoming change: the standard length of time required to gain ILR is set to increase from five years to 10 years across most visa routes under proposed legislative changes. While this is a major shake-up, it means that for most people starting their journey now, the initial visa choice for ILR purposes becomes less critical, as both routes will generally contribute to a 10-year path to settlement.

*Is the Graduate Visa Still Granted for Two Years?
Currently, yes (correct as of 16th July 2025). If you apply today and your Graduate Visa is granted, you will receive two years.
However, the government’s White Paper clearly states an intention to reduce this to 18 months. While we don’t have a firm date for this change, Kim’s advice is clear: apply for your Graduate Visa as soon as you receive confirmation from your university that they’ve notified the Home Office of your successful completion. Applying under the current rules means you’re protected and will receive the two-year visa even if changes are announced the next day.
Can You Switch from a Student to a Graduate Visa While Outside the UK?
No, it is not possible. You must be in the UK to apply for the Graduate Visa. If you submit your application from outside the UK, it will be refused, and your fee will not be refunded. If you travel home after your studies, you can return to the UK to apply, but your student visa must still be valid upon your return. You cannot switch to a Graduate Visa if you return on a visitor visa, for example.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Graduate Visa?
Applications are typically processed fairly quickly, often within a few weeks. Crucially, you don’t need to have your Graduate Visa granted before your Student Visa expires. As long as you submit your application before your Student Visa expires, you are permitted to stay in the UK lawfully while your Graduate Visa application is being processed.
Other Legal Pathways to Work in the UK
Beyond the Graduate and Skilled Worker visas, Kim outlined a few other possibilities:
  • Global Talent Visa: This is for individuals who are leaders or potential leaders in specific fields: academia/research, arts and culture, and digital technology. It requires endorsement from a relevant body before you can apply for the visa itself. It’s a highly selective route for exceptional individuals.
  • Innovator Founder Visa: This route is for those looking to set up an innovative business in the UK. Like the Global Talent visa, it requires endorsement from a specific body. This route has become significantly tighter in recent years, so it’s essential to seek expert advice if considering it. It offers an accelerated path to settlement (three years) but comes with its own set of complexities.
  • Dependent Route: If your partner is in the UK on a Skilled Worker or Graduate Visa, you might be able to switch to a dependent visa, which allows you to work or be self-employed.
  • Self-Sponsorship (within the Skilled Worker Route): While complex, this can be an option for individuals who have established a successful business in the UK (perhaps on a Graduate Visa) and whose company can then obtain a sponsor licence to sponsor the founder under the Skilled Worker route. This is a highly nuanced area that requires in-depth consultation.
Can My Spouse Join Me on a Graduate Visa if They Weren’t My Dependent on My Student Visa?
Unfortunately, no. For your spouse to join you as a dependent on your Graduate Visa, they must have already been your dependent on your Student Visa. This is a technicality that can catch people out.

Watch the webinar in full here:

The information provided in this blog post reflects the UK immigration rules and policies as of July 2025. While we have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy at the time of writing, immigration law is subject to frequent changes and updates.
Please note that this blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Global Career Advantage is not a regulated immigration adviser, and we cannot be held responsible for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented here.

For personalised advice regarding your specific circumstances, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified and regulated immigration professional. You can find more detailed information and contact White Rose Visas, expert immigration lawyers, by visiting their website: whiterosevisas.co.uk.