With more than 600,000 international students, the UK is one of the most popular places to study abroad. One reason is the high-paying jobs and salary packages that are available after you finish a programme. This might make you wonder if you’re allowed to stay in the UK and look for work. The answer is a resounding yes. If you didn’t know this before, if you have a Tier 4 student visa, you can apply for a work permit.
Let’s look at what a 2-year work permit in the UK means. The UK Government started the Graduate Immigration Route on July 1, 2021, which is the two-year work permit after studying in the UK. International students who get a degree from an approved UK higher education provider are now able to stay in the UK and look for work with a two-year work permit. Read this guide to learn all about the UK 2-year work permit, including its requirements, who is eligible, how long it takes to process, how much it costs, and a lot more.
Eligibility Criteria for 2 Year Work Permit UK
Now that you know about the graduate route or the 2-year work permit in the UK, we’ll talk about how to qualify, which is pretty easy. Take a look:
- To apply for a UK two-year work permit, you must be in the UK when you do so.
- You must hold a valid tier 4 student visa.
- If you have finished a bachelor’s, master’s, or other eligible programme in the UK, you can apply for a two-year work permit.
- Before you can apply for a 2-year work permit in the UK, you must have studied there for at least a certain amount of time with a Tier 4 student visa.
- You also need to know that your university or college has told you that your course is over.
How to Apply for a 2 Year Work Permit UK?
After studying in the UK, you can apply online for a two-year work permit, but make sure you do it before your student visa runs out. As was already said, your school must have told you that you passed your course, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until you get a diploma or certificate.
Check out what you need to do to get a 2-year work permit in the UK:
- Check to see if you meet the requirements to get a work permit in the UK.
- If you are in the UK and have a valid student visa, you can fill out the application online through the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration Services website.
- You will have to pay an application fee only once, as well as a health surcharge every year.
- Prepare the supporting documents, turn them in, and show who you are.
How Much Does it Cost to Apply for a 2 Year Work Permit in UK?
To get a UK work permit for 2 years, you have to pay a £700 application fee and a £624 healthcare surcharge every year.
How Long is the Processing Time for a UK 2 Year Work Permit?
Students who want to work in the UK for two years often want to know how long it will take to get a decision. The answer is that you should get a decision about your application within 8 weeks after you have filled it out and sent in all of the supporting documents.
Documents Required to Apply for 2 Year Work Permit UK
The main thing you have to do is show proof of who you are. To apply for a 2 year work permit in the UK, you do not need to show proof that you can speak English or that you have enough money. Also, if you want to use the graduate immigration route, you don’t need sponsorship or approval from your university in the UK or your employer.
Here are the things you need to send with your application for a work permit in the UK:
- A valid passport or any other travel document that shows who you are and where you are from.
- You were given a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when you asked for a Tier 4 student visa.
- Reference number of your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which was given to you by your school when you were accepted to study there.
- You may also have to show a letter of approval from your sponsor or scholarship provider if they paid for your course or living costs in the last year.
- If you are applying with your partner or children, you will also need to show proof of your relationship.
Rules for UK 2 Year Work Permit
Here are some rules to remember when applying for a two-year work permit in the UK:
- If you have a PhD or other doctoral degree, you can get a work permit for up to 3 years after you finish school.
- After studying in the UK, you can only get a work permit for two years. There is no room for growth.
- Some jobs, like being a coach or a professional athlete, need a different kind of visa. Because of this, you can’t work in these kinds of jobs.
- You can’t ask for public money or a pension from the government.
- It’s important to remember that a work permit in the UK has nothing to do with your right to live there.
When your UK work permit for 2 years is about to run out, you can apply for the right kind of work permit. Most international students will need a skilled worker visa, but there are some exceptions. You can apply for a health and care worker visa, an intra-company visa, a minister of religion visa, or an international sportsperson visa, depending on what you do for a living. UK is proud of its high employment rate and offers promising career opportunities to international students. This is why many students think about staying in UK after they finish their studies.
Frequently Asked Questions about 2 Year Work Permit in UK
Ques. Are all international students eligible for a 2 year work permit after study in UK?
Ans. Yes, all international students who have a valid Tier 4 student visa, have finished their course successfully, and meet the other requirements can apply for a work permit for two years after studying in the UK.
Ques. What can I do if I want to stay longer in the UK?
Ans. The UK work permit for 2 years can’t be made longer. You can apply for a different visa, like the skilled worker visa, if you want to stay in the UK longer.
Ques. How much does a 2 year work permit UK cost Indian students?
Ans. A two-year work permit in the UK costs £700, which is about 58,450 INR. A health surcharge of £624, or about 52,100 INR, will be added to your bill every year.
Ques. Can I apply for a work permit in UK after getting the Doctorate Extension Scheme?
Ans. After getting the Doctorate Extension Scheme, you can’t apply for a work permit in the UK.
Ques. Are international students allowed to be self-employed with a work permit in UK?
Ans. Yes, international students can work for themselves in the UK if they have a work permit. You can’t make a living as a pro athlete.
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