Work Visa Options After StudyCareers Service and

Student Advice and Support Office

Work Visa Routes

• Tier 1

• Tier 2

• Tier 4 - Doctorate

Extension Scheme (DES)

• Tier 5

Tier 1 - Options

• Tier 1 is for highly skilled workers and graduates

• Tier 1 has four open subcategories:

– Exceptional Talent (a maximum of 1,000 visas for those who are

internationally recognised in the fields of arts or sciences)

– Investor (£2 million)

– Entrepreneur

– Graduate Entrepreneur

Tier 1 Exceptional Talent

• This is aimed at individuals who have already achieved international

recognition in their field or have the potential to be world leaders in their

area of expertise

• Four designated UK "competent bodies" decide whether this applies:

− The Arts Council;

− The British Academy; and

− The Royal Academy of Engineering

− The Royal Society

− Tech City UK (Tech Nation)

• There are limited places available under this visa category, with 500

places released on both 6 April and 1 October each year.

• Immigration application must be made outside the UK if on Tier 4

Tier 1 Entrepreneur

• This is for those setting up or taking over the running

of a business in the UK.

• You need either:

– £200k investment or;

– £50k if cash from a registered venture capitalist, seed

funding competition endorsed by Department for

International Trade, or from UK government

departments or;

– £50k if switching from Graduate Entrepreneur or PSW (if

established own business in UK)

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur

• For those with “genuine and

credible business ideas and

entrepreneurial skills”

• Very limited places

• 1 year’s visa with possibility of

extending for another year

• Should switch to Tier 1

Entrepreneur

• Can be employed during this

year BUT…

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur

• University acts as sponsor

• We expect:

– That you have worked on your business idea BEFORE your

application, e.g. ABES, SIE, ABVenture Zone…

– Developed a business plan and completed all relevant

documentation

– Give a presentation for panel of experts

– Maintain regular contact with the University during your year

• To find out more, email careers@abdn.ac.uk and ask for

Tier 1 (GE) documentation

Tier 2 – Options

• Tier 2 is for skilled workers who have been offered jobs in

the UK.

– Minister of Religion

– Sportsperson

– Intra Company Transfer

– General***

Tier 2 General

• Job offer from a sponsor (list on UKVI website – link from the

Careers Service Resources)

• To qualify, student/job must be either:

– on the Shortage Occupation List (Engineering and IT)

– pass Resident Labour Market Test

– have a salary of £155,300

– be a Tier 4 switcher

• Limited to 20,700 (restricted CoS) – unless switching!

– Tier 4 Dependant can apply from UK but restricted CoS

Recent changes to Tier 2 rules

There are different rates for new entrants and experienced workers which

also depend on the occupation - check these first

New entrant salary threshold is a minimum of £20,800

New entrant must fall within one of the following categories:

• under 26 years old on the date you make your Tier 2 application

• Tier 2 sponsor recruited you by carrying out a university milkround

• meet the requirements of the post-study work exemption from the

Resident Labour Market Test

Experienced workers salary threshold is £30,000

Main points for Tier 4 applicants

When applying to switch in the UK:

• Exempt from Resident Labour Market Test (if successfully completed degree course during Tier 4 leave)

• Receive points for English Language if your CAS for your last grant of Tier 4 leave was assigned on or after 21 April 2011 and confirmed that you met the English requirements

• In theory, you could use a previous qualification if completed during continuous Tier 4 leave but safer to complete current course. Need to check this first.

Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2

Requirements

• Must apply before current Tier 4 visa expires (normally 4 months

granted following course end date).

• Must have completed course – except PhD students who must have

completed at least 12 months of their course.

• Must apply in UK to qualify for unrestricted CoS.

• Whilst waiting to switch into Tier 2 can work full-time for the employer

on the time left on the Tier 4 visa (except PhD early switchers)

• “No objection” letter from Official Financial Sponsor

• You must not own more than 10% of your sponsor’s shares

Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2

Job requirements

• Must be at graduate level

and on the Home Office list.

• Must have been advertised

in appropriate way.

• Must be paid at appropriate

salary level

Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES)

• Must be studying for Doctorate level degree.

• Must be on a Tier 4 Visa.

• Must apply from within the UK.

• CAS must be issued no more than 60 days before the

expected PhD end date.

• ATAS not usually required

• 12-month period allowed under DES begins from the

course end date as specified on the DES CAS.

Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) – 2

• If PhD not completed by stated end date, time granted for

DES must be used to finish degree.

• Only able to work full-time when formal notification of PhD

award received from Registry.

• Can also be self-employed.

• Otherwise 20 hours per week until completion and must

sign-in

• Tier 4 application fees and maintenance levels.

Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) – 3

• Must maintain contact and keep contact details up-to-date.

• Inform University of any changes (switch to another visa,

leave UK)

• PhD not completed or awarded lower level qualification, will

be reported to Home Office and DES visa curtailed.

• Must leave the UK before DES visa expires (unless

switching to another category).

Points to Note

• Students who have already completed their PhD will not be

able to apply.

• Carefully consider any study extensions you apply for

• Completion means that you have received formal

notification in writing from the University that you have been

awarded a PhD.

• Can have dependants with you under DES.

Tier 5 – Youth Mobility Scheme

• Australia

• Canada

• Japan

• Monaco

• New Zealand

• Hong Kong

• Republic of Korea

• Taiwan

Tier 5 – Youth Mobility Scheme

• Places are limited

• Want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years

• Are aged 18 to 30

• Have £1,890 in savings

• Must not have children who live with you or you are

financially responsible for

• Meet other eligibility requirements

• Must return home to apply

The Careers Service

Visit us:

2nd Floor,

Students’ Union Building

Phone us:

01224 (27)3601

Find information

or to post e-queries :

www.abdn.ac.uk/careers

Tier 2 Pitfalls

• Timing

– Requirement to have finished course of study

• Dealing with small employers

– Even those who have a licence!

– Refer to Talent Scotland

• Maintenance

– £945 in a bank account for 90 days – and not a penny less!

Working between visas

• Wait until official completion date before taking full-time

work.

• Tier 4 conditions still apply - eg monitoring until

completion of PhD

Travelling

• Not advisable to travel outside the UK on your Tier 4 visa

after you have completed your studies if you intend to

apply for a different category from within UK.

• If no longer studying and trying to re-enter, this can be

classed as a change of intention in UK (eg for work

purposes not study purposes)

• January start Masters must go home and come back on a

Standard Visitor visa for June Graduation

WARNING –OVERSTAYING!

• There is no “grace period”

• Overstaying is illegal

• Overstaying is a criminal offence

• Must declare overstay on all future visa applications

What does this mean for you?

Unless you are:

• a super-high-flyer and/or

• ridiculously rich and/or

• have a cracking business idea

… your only options are:

• finding a job with a Tier 2 sponsor

• applying to do a higher level course under Tier 4

… or going home!

USEFUL WEBSITES

Talent Scotland

www.talentscotland.com

UK Visas

www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

UKCISA

www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Working/Working-

after-studies

Any questions?