Visa options and considerations
Learn what work is permitted in the UK
The Careers and Employability Service are here to support your career goals from the moment you arrive, to five years after you graduate. However, it is important to understand what is permitted within the terms of your visa, and the options available to you after you graduate. This page outlines some of the options and considerations for your Visa. However, if you need further guidance, please visit the Global webpages.
Visa rules change regularly so keeping up to date with the latest information is crucial. UKCISA is a good resource for updates on the latest immigration news including changes to visas.
During your studies
Tier 4/Student Visa students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week (Monday-Sunday) during term time. This includes all paid and unpaid work, and volunteering. For example:
- 10 hours paid + 10 hours volunteered
- 20 hours paid
- 20 hours volunteered
- 12 hours paid + 8 hours volunteered
Your term time and vacation dates vary depending on the level of course you're studying.
Work you cannot do
Some types of work are not permitted under a Tier 4/Student visa including but not limited to:
- self-employment and freelancing
- business activities like selling goods online for a profit
- delivery driver for companies such as deliveroo and Uber eats
- any form of coaching role for university teams, local sports teams, or clubs, whether paid, unpaid, or voluntary work
After your graduate
There are many options available for international students to stay in the UK after they graduate. Before you secure a graduate role, you should consider the type of visa you will need. You can find a full list of work visa options on the UK Government website. Below is further information about the most popular visa routes for our international graduates.
Remember, visa rules change regularly so keeping up to date with the latest information is crucial. UKCISA is a good resource for updates on the latest immigration news including changes to visas.
Graduate Route Visa
Under the Graduate Route Visa, international students can stay in the UK for up to 2 years after graduation. PhD Graduates can apply to stay for up to 3 years.
The Graduate Route is unsponsored, which means you do not need a job offer to apply. During your visa, you can:
- work, with no minimum salary requirement
- work as a freelancer
- look for work at any skill level
- gain work experience and undertake an internship
How to apply
You must apply for the Graduate Route Visa before your current Tier 4/Student visa expires.
However, you need to wait until the university confirms that you have successfully completed your course and that this information has been verified by UKVI. You will receive an email from the university once this has happened and then you will be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route visa.
When you apply, you will need to pay a £822 application fee, plus the healthcare surcharge of £1035 for each year you’ll be in the UK.
Skilled Worker Visa
A Skilled Worker Visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 5 years with an approved employer and eligible job.
You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for this visa. You’ll receive a Certification of Sponsorship (CoS) when you receive your offer. Your job will need to meet the minimum salary requirement for the type of work you will be doing.
Learn more about the requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa
How to apply
You can apply for the visa before the end of your programme, but cannot start full-time work until after your course completion date (according to the completion date on your CAS). When you apply, you will need to pay an application fee of £719-£1,500, plus the healthcare surcharge of £1035 for each year you’ll be in the UK.
Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa is a viable option if you want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK - it must be different from anything else on the market.
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- new - you cannot join a business that is already trading
- innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
- viable - with the potential for growth
- scalable - you must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets
You’ll need to get an endorsing body to assess that your business idea meets the requirements.
Further Visa Research
Take a look at the following resources to find further advice on working in the UK after you graduate:
- Targetjobs – international students guide to job hunting in the UK, plus advice and tips about gaining work experience in the UK
- Targetjobs – international student visa and permits for working in the UK
- UKCISA – the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is the UK's national advisory body serving the interests of international students and this link provides a useful summary of visa routes for international students
- UK Visas and Immigration – the UK Government's official visa and immigration information for working in the UK
- Accredited immigration advisers – search by region to find immigration advice near you and immigration advisers specialising in particular types of immigration, asylum or nationality cases
Explore the International Student Career Guide
International student career guide
Find out about the regulations for finding work in the UK as an international student
Working and building experience in the UK during your studies
Learn how we can support you in securing part-time work, volunteering and placements.
Working in the UK after you graduate
Learn about the options available to an international student after you graduate.
Starting a business in the UK
Learn more about the rules around starting your own business as an international student or graduate, and how we can support you.
