Graduate Visas

Applying for a graduate visa can be a daunting process, with a lot riding on whether your application is accepted or not. At OTS Solicitors, we have a very high success rate at helping graduates to successfully immigrate to the UK and to stay here longer term.

To talk to one of our award-winning immigration solicitors about applying for a graduate visa, please contact us on 0203 959 9123 to make an appointment.

Our graduate visa lawyers can help with issues including:

• Advice on your graduate visa eligibility
• Completing a graduate visa application
• Whether alternatives, such as a student visa, may be more appropriate
• Graduate visa refusals, judicial reviews and appeals
• Late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme for those in the UK on a graduate visa who missed the original deadline

Our years of specialist expertise and up-to-the minute knowledge of UK graduate visa rules mean our team can significantly increase your chances of a successful application.

Have a question about graduate visas? Take a look at our blog The Graduate Visa – Your Frequently Asked Questions.

Speak to our graduate visa lawyers in London now

We can discuss your graduate visa requirements with you at our offices, over the phone or online via Web Conferencing such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or Skype.

To speak to our graduate visa lawyers in London, please call now on 0203 959 9123 or use our simple online enquiries form.

Our graduate visa advice services

Advice on your graduate visa eligibility

Our leading immigration lawyers can advise you on whether the graduate visa route is likely to be appropriate for your situation and, where relevant, whether another route, such as a student visa or skilled worker visa may be a better choice.

Our expertise and experience with graduate visa applications means we can offer reliable advice on whether you are likely to meet the criteria and whether your application is likely to succeed.

Completing a graduate visa application

The graduate visa application process can be challenging, with the need to provide a lot of information and supporting evidence. Any mistakes or missing information could cause your application to be delayed or refused, costing you time, money and unnecessary stress.

We can guide you through the entire application process, making sure that the forms are filled out correct, all necessary information is included and your application is as strong as possible. Experience shows that our support can significantly improve applicants’ chances of success.

Alternatives to graduate visas

If you are continuing your studies, you may be eligible for a student visa, so this may be a more appropriate visa route. You can find out more about student visas here.

If you have a job offer from a Home Office-approved employer, you may be eligible for a skilled worker visa. You can find out more about skilled worker visas here.

Depending on the circumstances, there are various other types of visas you might be eligible for, including entrepreneur visas, start-up visas and health and care worker visas.

Graduate visa refusals, judicial reviews and appeals

If you have been refused a graduate visa, our immigration appeals experts can help you to review your options and advise on what to do next.

We can assist with:

• Making a new graduate visa application – where it appears your visa was refused due to a mistake in your application or missing information, or where we believe there are things that can be added to strengthen your application
• Judicial Review – where we believe there are grounds to challenge the lawfulness of the decision to deny you a graduate visa e.g. the law has not been properly applied or there have been mistakes made in the way your application was processed
• Graduate visa appeal – we can advise on if you have the right to appeal a graduate visa refusal to the immigration tribunal to have your application reconsidered

Late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme for graduate visa holders

If you hold a graduate visa and were eligible to apply to the EU settlement scheme but missed the original deadline of 30 June 2021, you may still be able to apply, depending on the circumstances.

Our UK immigration lawyers can advise on whether you may be able to make a late application to the EU settlement scheme and assist with your application where this is an option.

If you are not eligible to apply for the EU settlement scheme, we can advise you on any alternative options for staying in the UK that may be open to you.

UK graduate visas explained

What is a graduate visa?

Graduate visas are a type of visa that can allow those who have graduated from a recognised course at a UK institution to stay in the UK.

How long do graduate visas allow you to stay in the UK?

With a graduate visa, you can remain in the UK for at least two years after graduating from your course. Those with a PhD or other doctoral qualification can stay for a minimum of three years.

What rights does a graduate visa give you?

With a graduate visa, you can:

• Stay in the UK for the allowed time
• Work in most occupations
• Work for yourself (be self-employed)
• Live in the UK with an eligible partner and/or children
• Perform voluntary work
• Travel outside of, and return to, the UK

One key point to note is that you will not be eligible for most state benefits or a state pension.

What are the eligibility requirements for a UK graduate visa?

There are various eligibility criteria you will need to meet, but some of the key ones are that you must:

• Already be legally in the UK when making the application (i.e. on a valid student visa)
• Have graduated from a recognised UK course such as an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree
• Have studied on your course for an acceptable minimum amount of time
• Had confirmation from your education provider that you have successfully completed your course

How can I stay in the UK when my graduate visa runs out?

You cannot renew or extend a graduate visa, but you may be able to switch to a different type of visa, such as a skilled worker visa, entrepreneur visa, start-up visa and health and care worker visa.

Why choose OTS Solicitors to assist with a graduate visa issue?

Key reasons to choose our team for graduate visa advice include:

• We have a very high success rate for our clients, including for graduate visa applications.
• We hold the highest Law Society Accreditation award in Immigration Law
• We have been consistently ranked as leading immigration experts by respected client guides the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners
• Head of Department Teni Shahiean is a Legal 500 recommended Immigration Lawyer
• Managing Partner Oshin Shahiean is a Law Society accredited Immigration Supervisor and accredited Senior Level 2 Immigration Advisor OISC Level 3
• Senior Immigration Consultant Paul Gulbenkian is a former Immigration Tribunal Judge and Crown Court Recorder, a founder member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and President of the European Immigration Lawyers Group
• Our team has over 85 years of combined experience and knowledge covering all areas of immigration law

Your case and the outcome of your application really matter to our team. We personally invest in our clients because we know how much your application means to you and what it can mean for your future.

We are committed to keeping things as simple, smooth and seamless as possible for you, including providing a fixed fee so you know exactly how much our support will cost. You will work directly with an experienced immigration lawyer and we will always be available to answer any questions you may have.

You can read more about our expertise and exceptional personal service on our main immigration service page.

Speak to our graduate visa lawyers in London now

We can discuss your graduate visa requirements with you at our offices, over the phone or online via Web Conferencing such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or Skype.

To speak to our graduate visa lawyers in London, please call now on 0203 959 9123 or use our simple online enquiries form.