New UK visa rules for Indian students! Know how will it impact and how you can proceed?

Indian students considering studying in the UK should thoroughly research and understand the current visa rules and requirements before applying.

Follow us:

rawpixel

The UK has been making efforts to attract more international students, including those from India. The United Kingdom Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recently published the Graduate Route Visa (GRV), which will be continued in its current form. Indians, who make up the largest market for UK study visas, could be negatively impacted if the policy is changed to comply with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's proposal to limit visas to only "the best and the brightest" and reduce the number of foreign students entering the Kingdom.

According to the recent update, the graduate visa gives a person to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing a course in the UK.

According to the UK government, a person can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:

You are in the UK

Your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
You studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or other eligible course for a minimum period with your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
Your education provider has to inform the office that you have completed the course.

How long you can stay?

As per official sources, a Graduate visa lasts for 2 years and it will last for 3 years if you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification. The visa gets started, the day it is issued.

What if you want to stay longer in the UK?

You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example, a Skilled Worker visa. Check you can apply for another type of visa to stay in the UK, as per the official website.

When to apply?

You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires. You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office that you’ve completed the course you took with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa.

You do not have to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate. You need to prove your identity and submit the documents. You’ll need to have an appointment if you start your application process.

Different types of visas can be applied:

Tier 4 (General) Student Visa: This visa is for students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place on a course by a licensed UK institution. It allows students to stay in the UK for the duration of their course. Tier 4 visas have been replaced by the Student Route visa since October 5, 2020.

Graduate Route Visa: This visa allows international students who have completed a degree at a UK higher education institution to stay in the UK for up to two years (or three years for PhD students) to work or look for work.

Student Route Visa: The Student Route visa replaced the Tier 4 (General) visa in October 2020. It allows students to study at UK higher education institutions and includes streamlined application processes and expanded post-study work options.

Dependent Visa: Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, and children of students studying in the UK may be eligible for dependent visas, allowing them to join the student in the UK.

Additionally, there may be specific requirements and conditions attached to each type of visa, such as financial requirements, English language proficiency, and healthcare surcharge. It's essential for Indian students considering studying in the UK to thoroughly research and understand the current visa rules and requirements before applying.

However, specific visa rules can change frequently due to policy updates, so it's always best to check the latest information on the official UK government website or consult with a qualified immigration advisor.