BE PREPARED

This is for University of Chichester students who have successfully completed a UK degree.

It allows you to stay in the UK to work (or look for work) at any skill level and with any employer.

Duration:

• 2 years for most graduates.
• 3 years for PhD or doctoral graduates.
• from 01 January 2027 onwards, the graduate route permission will become 18 months for most graduates.

Key points:

• No job offer or sponsorship needed.
• You can work in most jobs, but not as a professional sportsperson or coach.
• You must wait for your Graduate Route visa to be granted to start working as an entertainer or self-employed.
• You can only apply once.
• Application fee: £880 + £1035/year for the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• You must apply from within the UK before your Student visa expires.
• You must not travel outside the UK while the application is pending.

The University of Chichester is categorised as ‘a higher education provider with a track record of compliance’. This means that you are able to start a full-time permanent job whilst your graduate route visa application is pending.

The only exception is if you are planning to start employment as an entertainer or self-employed person: you will need to wait until you obtain your graduate route visa.

Read more here.

This visa is for graduates with a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor.

This route allows long-term work in a skilled job.

The duration of this visa is up to 5 years. You should speak to your employer or an external immigration adviser to find out more.

Key points:

• The job must meet minimum salary and skill requirements.
• Sponsorship from the employer is required.
• You can switch to this visa from within the UK.
• You must have completed your studies in order to be able to switch.
• Recent graduates benefit from the new entrant concession, which allows you to benefit from a lower minimum salary requirement.

This visa is for nationals of certain countries aged 18–30 (or 18–35 for some countries).

It allows you to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

Key points:

• No sponsorship needed.
• Limited to specific nationalities (e.g., Australia, Canada, Japan).
• Not extendable, unless you are an Australian, Canadian or New Zealand national.

This visa is for graduates undertaking internships, training, or research through an approved scheme.

It allows for short-term work experience in the UK.

Key points:

• Requires sponsorship from an approved scheme provider.
• Not a route to settlement.

Depending on your background and goals, you might also consider:

• Global Talent Visa
• India Young Professionals Scheme
• UK Ancestry
• Innovator Founder
• High-Potential Individual
• Youth Mobility Scheme
• Scale-up Worker
• UK Expansion Worker visa
• British National (Overseas) visa

Each route has specific eligibility criteria and benefits. You can explore all options on the UKCISA website.