The UK has introduced a 2-year Graduate Immigration Route (GIR) for international students to work or can search for work at any skill level after completion of Bachelor , Master or higher degree at a UK university.
The new proposal will allow international students to stay in the country for 2 years after graduating. The post-study work visa will enable eligible students to work or job hunt at any skill level, and they will be able to switch to the skilled work route if they find a job which fulfills its requirements / criteria.
Graduate Route
The Graduate Visa will be available to international students who have completed a degree in the UK from summer 2021. This will enable international students to remain in the UK and work at any skill level for two years after they have completed their studies.
International students who complete a PhD from Summer 2021 can stay in the UK for three years after study to live and work. This will make it easier for some of the best young international graduates to secure skilled jobs in the UK and contribute to economic growth.
In the table below we show how someone who has at least 80% or 90% of the relevant salary for their occupation (whether that is the £25,600 threshold or the going rate), and therefore scores 0 or 10 points for salary, could make up the points elsewhere by scoring points for another attribute, for instance, working in a shortage occupation or having a relevant PhD.
Table 1: Tradeable points
Non-tradeable points (mandatory) – 50 required
Characteristic Points
Offer of a job by an approved sponsor 20
Job at an appropriate skill level 20
English language skills at level B1 (intermediate) 10
Tradeable points (may only score from one entry from each of the two sections below) -20 required
General salary threshold Going rate Points
Salary of at least £20,480 At least 80% of the going rate for the profession (70% if a new entrant) 0
Salary of at least £23,040 At least 90% of the going rate for the profession 10
Salary of at least £25,600 At least the going rate for the profession 20
Salary of at least £20,480 Listed health/education job and meets the relevant national pay scale 20
Other:
Characteristic Points
Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job 10
Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job 20Job in a shortage occupation (as designated by the MAC) 20
Applicant is a new entrant to the labour market (as designated by the MAC) 20