Visa options for working in the UK

To stay in the UK to work after your studies, international students will need permission in the form of a visa. The rules about working in the UK are complex and change frequently, so be sure to check for full and up-to-date information.

The University’s visa and immigration advisers give regular talks at the Careers Service on the current work visa options and can also cover individual queries. Check our Events Calendar on CareerConnect for details. Regrettably, the Careers Service’s staff cannot advise on visas.

Graduate Route

The Graduate Route is open for applications from 1 July 2021. This visa is an opportunity to remain in the UK to work, or look for work, for two years if you have completed an undergraduate, PGCE, or master’s Degree, or three years if you have completed a DPhil.

You will need to have successfully completed your qualification before you apply but unlike other routes you do not need a job offer or sponsorship from the

University or an employer. You must be in the UK to apply and you must have a valid Tier 4 or student visa at the time of your application.

The Student Immigration team has answers to frequently asked questions about the graduate route and you can check the gov.uk website for updates on the launch and how to apply.

Skilled Worker Visa (previously Tier 2)

Applicants are eligible for this visa if they have been offered a job by an employer who holds a license and have been issued a Certificate of Sponsorship.

The salary offered for Skilled Worker Visa applicants must be appropriate to the type of work and be at least £20,480. If you switch into this category from a student visa or within 2 years, your qualifying salary could be 70% of the usual level.

If your last visa was a student visa and you wish to apply from within the UK you will have to show that you completed a degree or at least one year of your DPhil. For more information on what is required see the Home Office requirements.

Start-up Visa

This visa is for students who have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea for development in the UK. Oxford University can endorse applicants each year and applications are made via the Careers Service. We advertise details of the application process via the Careers Service’s blog and in our newsletters. If you are endorsed by the University or another authorised endorsing body you will need to apply for a startup visa, which is valid for two years, via the gov.uk website.

Tier 5 for an internship in the UK

You could apply for a Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange visa for an internship related to your degree for up to a year. This would normally need to be sponsored by a third-party sponsoring organisation, such as: • Access Tier 5: www.accesstier5.com or Tier 5 Intern: tier5intern.com • For Government information on this, see: www.gov. uk/tier-5-government-authorised-exchange

Other options

Nationals from some countries may have access to other routes for working in the UK, including a scheme for Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, and the Tier 5 visa (Youth Mobility Scheme), both of which you must apply for from your home country.

More information

www.ox.ac.uk/students/visa/work www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice