Graduate Visas
Applying for a graduate visa can be a daunting process, with a lot riding on whether your application is accepted or not. At OTS Solicitors, we have a very high success rate at helping graduates to successfully immigrate to the UK and to stay here longer term.
To talk to one of our award-winning immigration solicitors about applying for a graduate visa, please contact us on 0203 959 9123 to make an appointment.
Our graduate visa lawyers can help with issues including:
- Advice on your graduate visa eligibility
- Completing a graduate visa application
- Whether alternatives, such as a student visa, may be more appropriate
- Graduate visa refusals, judicial reviews and appeals
- Late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme for those in the UK on a graduate visa who missed the original deadline
Our years of specialist expertise and up-to-the minute knowledge of UK graduate visa rules mean our team can significantly increase your chances of a successful application.
Have a question about graduate visas? Take a look at our blog The Graduate Visa – Your Frequently Asked Questions.
Speak to our graduate visa lawyers in London now
We can discuss your graduate visa requirements with you at our offices, over the phone or online via Web Conferencing such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or Skype.
To speak to our graduate visa lawyers in London, please call now on 0203 959 9123 or use our simple online enquiries form.
Our graduate visa advice services
Advice on your graduate visa eligibility
Our leading immigration lawyers can advise you on whether the graduate visa route is likely to be appropriate for your situation and, where relevant, whether another route, such as a student visa or skilled worker visa may be a better choice.
Our expertise and experience with graduate visa applications means we can offer reliable advice on whether you are likely to meet the criteria and whether your application is likely to succeed.
Completing a graduate visa application
The graduate visa application process can be challenging, with the need to provide a lot of information and supporting evidence. Any mistakes or missing information could cause your application to be delayed or refused, costing you time, money and unnecessary stress.
We can guide you through the entire application process, making sure that the forms are filled out correct, all necessary information is included and your application is as strong as possible. Experience shows that our support can significantly improve applicants’ chances of success.
Alternatives to graduate visas
If you are continuing your studies, you may be eligible for a student visa, so this may be a more appropriate visa route. You can find out more about student visas here.
If you have a job offer from a Home Office-approved employer, you may be eligible for a skilled worker visa. You can find out more about skilled worker visas here.
Depending on the circumstances, there are various other types of visas you might be eligible for, including entrepreneur visas, start-up visas and health and care worker visas.
Graduate visa refusals, judicial reviews and appeals
If you have been refused a graduate visa, our immigration appeals experts can help you to review your options and advise on what to do next.
We can assist with:
- Making a new graduate visa application – where it appears your visa was refused due to a mistake in your application or missing information, or where we believe there are things that can be added to strengthen your application
- Judicial Review – where we believe there are grounds to challenge the lawfulness of the decision to deny you a graduate visa e.g. the law has not been properly applied or there have been mistakes made in the way your application was processed
- Graduate visa appeal – we can advise on if you have the right to appeal a graduate visa refusal to the immigration tribunal to have your application reconsidered
Late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme for graduate visa holders
If you hold a graduate visa and were eligible to apply to the EU settlement scheme but missed the original deadline of 30 June 2021, you may still be able to apply, depending on the circumstances.
Our UK immigration lawyers can advise on whether you may be able to make a late application to the EU settlement scheme and assist with your application where this is an option.
If you are not eligible to apply for the EU settlement scheme, we can advise you on any alternative options for staying in the UK that may be open to you.
UK graduate visas explained
What is a graduate visa?
Graduate visas are a type of visa that can allow those who have graduated from a recognised course at a UK institution to stay in the UK.
How long do graduate visas allow you to stay in the UK?
With a graduate visa, you can remain in the UK for at least two years after graduating from your course. Those with a PhD or other doctoral qualification can stay for a minimum of three years.
What rights does a graduate visa give you?
With a graduate visa, you can:
- Stay in the UK for the allowed time
- Work in most occupations
- Work for yourself (be self-employed)
- Live in the UK with an eligible partner and/or children
- Perform voluntary work
- Travel outside of, and return to, the UK
One key point to note is that you will not be eligible for most state benefits or a state pension.
What are the eligibility requirements for a UK graduate visa?
There are various eligibility criteria you will need to meet, but some of the key ones are that you must:
- Already be legally in the UK when making the application (i.e. on a valid student visa)
- Have graduated from a recognised UK course such as an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree
- Have studied on your course for an acceptable minimum amount of time
- Had confirmation from your education provider that you have successfully completed your course
How can I stay in the UK when my graduate visa runs out?
You cannot renew or extend a graduate visa, but you may be able to switch to a different type of visa, such as a skilled worker visa, entrepreneur visa, start-up visa and health and care worker visa.
Why choose OTS Solicitors to assist with a graduate visa issue?
Key reasons to choose our team for graduate visa advice include:
- We have a very high success rate for our clients, including for graduate visa applications.
- We hold the highest Law Society Accreditation award in Immigration Law
- We have been consistently ranked as leading immigration experts by respected client guides the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners
- Head of Department Teni Shahiean is a Legal 500 recommended Immigration Lawyer
- Managing Partner Oshin Shahiean is a Law Society accredited Immigration Supervisor and accredited Senior Level 2 Immigration Advisor OISC Level 3
- Senior Immigration Consultant Paul Gulbenkian is a former Immigration Tribunal Judge and Crown Court Recorder, a founder member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and President of the European Immigration Lawyers Group
- Our team has over 85 years of combined experience and knowledge covering all areas of immigration law
Your case and the outcome of your application really matter to our team. We personally invest in our clients because we know how much your application means to you and what it can mean for your future.
We are committed to keeping things as simple, smooth and seamless as possible for you, including providing a fixed fee so you know exactly how much our support will cost. You will work directly with an experienced immigration lawyer and we will always be available to answer any questions you may have.
You can read more about our expertise and exceptional personal service on our main immigration service page.
Speak to our graduate visa lawyers in London now
We can discuss your graduate visa requirements with you at our offices, over the phone or online via Web Conferencing such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or Skype.
To speak to our graduate visa lawyers in London, please call now on 0203 959 9123 or use our simple online enquiries form.
Your Questions and our answers about Graduate Visas
Thank you for your enquiry. In the UK, holding a sponsorship license as a business gives you the ability to sponsor skilled workers from outside the UK. However, having a sponsorship license does not obligate you to offer sponsorship for all skilled roles within your company. You have the flexibility to choose which positions you want to sponsor. A COS must be issued for all sponsored positions. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
Thank you for your enquiry. If the admin review does not result in a favorable outcome, we can advise on potential legal avenues, such as appeals or judicial review. Given the complexities of immigration law, it is essential to have professional legal representation to navigate through these challenges successfully. It is also important at this stage to be able to substantiate and prove the elements referenced above. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
In the context of a Skilled Worker Visa application, a conditional caution may raise concerns during the assessment process. An experienced lawyer can review the details of your case, assess the implications, and provide strategic advice. They may guide you on presenting a strong case, addressing the caution appropriately, and ensuring that your application complies with Home Office requirements. Time is of the essence, so we recommend consulting with a legal professional promptly to proactively address potential challenges and increase the likelihood of a successful visa application. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
Timely submission of your Self Assessment to HMRC is crucial, as it demonstrates compliance with tax obligations. While late submission itself may not directly impact your ILR application, it’s essential to note that immigration rules and requirements can change. Delays or non-compliance with tax regulations could potentially affect your overall immigration status. To ensure a smooth application process and compliance with all relevant regulations, we recommend seeking advice from an immigration solicitor who can provide personalised guidance based on the latest legal developments and your specific circumstances. We would advise that you communicate with our immigration solicitors to assess your options and guide you through the process based on your specific circumstances.For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
We recommend seeking professional legal advice to fully understand your situation. Generally, if your visa was cancelled, and you left the UK as instructed, it’s important to follow proper procedures for re-entry and this may be applying for a separate entry under an alternative visa category. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to apply for a new visa. Clearing the police case is a positive step, but immigration matters can be complex and any previous immigration history will need to be addressed. We would advise that you communicate with our immigration solicitors to assess your options and guide you through the process based on your specific circumstances.For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
Given your current situation where your university has withdrawn you from your Tier 4 course, and you’re awaiting the outcome, you may wish to contact the Home Office or UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to inquire about the status of your visa. Your university are not immigration advisors and as such may not have the correct information. Typically, if an appeal is ongoing, the applicant will have 3C leave enabling you to remain in the country until the outcome of the decision. You may wish to seek guidance from an immigration solicitor who can provide personalised advice based on your circumstances and assist in exploring options for visa extensions or alternative categories. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
When applying for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK with a caution, it’s crucial to be transparent and provide additional documentation to address the issue. Alongside standard visa application documents, you may wish to include a detailed personal statement explaining the circumstances of the caution and demonstrating rehabilitation efforts. Attach character references from reputable individuals, certificates or evidence of rehabilitation steps taken. Consulting with an immigration solicitor is highly recommended to ensure that you meet the specific requirements of your visa category and present a comprehensive case that highlights your suitability for the visa despite the caution record. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
If your application for leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme was refused due to insufficient evidence of your marriage to an EEA citizen, you have two main options: you can either opt for an administrative review, where the decision will be re-evaluated without submitting new evidence, or you can appeal the decision by submitting a notice of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). Carefully review the refusal notice to understand the specific reasons for rejection and act within the specified timeframe for your chosen option. Seeking guidance from an immigration solicitor is advisable, as they can provide tailored advice, help address any deficiencies in your application, and ensure you have the necessary documentation to support your case during the review or appeal process. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
While your drink driving conviction may be considered under the good character requirements for naturalisation, it is not an automatic disqualifier. The UK Home Office assesses applications on an individual basis, taking into account factors such as the nature of the offence, the penalty imposed, and your conduct since then. It is crucial to provide comprehensive details in your application, including any rehabilitation efforts. Consulting with an immigration solicitor is advisable for tailored advice to enhance your chances of a successful naturalisation application. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
Thank you for your question. exceeding the allowed absences from the UK can pose challenges in the application for British citizenship. However, each case is unique, and there might be circumstances such as work-related travel or COVID-19-related restrictions impacting your travel as you have mentioned, that could be considered when assessing your application. It’s essential to provide a detailed explanation for the excess absences, highlighting any exceptional circumstances like work commitments or pandemic-related travel restrictions that led to your prolonged time outside the UK. The Home Office has discretionary powers in such cases, and they may consider individual circumstances when deciding on citizenship applications. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here
As an individual with Settled Status in the UK, you may be eligible to sponsor your mother’s visa application, allowing her to join you in the UK. The specific visa she might apply for depends on various factors, such as her age, financial dependency, and your own immigration status. We encourage you to reach out to discuss your specific situation, assess eligibility, understand the visa options available, and provide details regarding associated costs for the visa application process. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here