The UK government has announced that their new Graduate immigration route will open for applications on 1 July 2021.
The route allows international students who have completed degrees at UK universities to remain in the country and work for a maximum of two years (or three for doctoral students).
It is unsponsored, meaning that students will not need a job offer in order to apply for the route.
The government has also made concessions for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Students who began their studies in Autumn 2020 will now have until 21 June 2021 to enter the UK (updated from 6 April 2021) in order to be eligible.
Students who began their studies in January or February 2021 will need to be in the UK by 27 September 2021.
The government website says that the Graduate scheme “shows that the government is continuing to deliver on its key manifesto promise to implement a points-based immigration system, which will attract talent and ensure that businesses can recruit the most highly qualified from across the globe to drive the economy forwards.”
Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster said:
“As we rebuild from the global pandemic we want the world’s brightest talent, who aspire to a career at the highest levels of business, science, the arts and technology to see our United Kingdom as the natural place to fulfil their aspirations.
The changes announced today will ensure once they have received a gold standard qualification from one of our world leading education institutions they can easily secure the status they need to continue living, working and fulfilling their dreams in the UK.”
