UK Student Visa & Graduate Route: Your Pathway to Study and Work
The UK is one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students, offering globally recognised qualifications and exciting career opportunities. If you want to study in the UK, you’ll need a Student Visa—and after graduation, you may be eligible for the Graduate Route, which allows you to stay and work without sponsorship.
At ORBIT, we guide students through every stage of the process—from securing a Student Visa to extending your stay under the Graduate Route—so you can focus on building your future.
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa allows non-UK nationals to live and work in the UK in eligible roles offered by licensed UK employers.
Key Updates 2025
• Skill threshold: Most roles must now be at RQF Level 6 (degree level).
• Salary threshold: General minimum is £41,700 per year or the job’s “going rate”, whichever is higher. Reduced rates apply for new entrants, PhD holders, or shortage occupations.
• Occupation list: Fewer roles are eligible — many medium-skilled jobs removed. Care workers can no longer be sponsored from abroad.
• Transitional rules: Workers already in the route before July 2025 may still use older thresholds when extending.
Application Process
If Applying from Outside the UK
1. Secure job offer and CoS.
2. Gather documents: passport, CoS, proof of English, proof of funds, TB test (if required).
3. Apply online and pay the visa fee + Immigration Health Surcharge.
4. Give biometrics at a visa application centre abroad.
5. Wait for decision (usually around 3 weeks).
6. If granted, receive visa vignette to enter the UK and collect your BRP/eVisa on arrival.
If Applying from Inside the UK
1. Secure job offers and CoS.
2. Gather documents: passport, CoS, proof of English (if not already proven), proof of funds (unless exempt), details of current visa.
3. Apply online before your current visa expires.
4. Give biometrics via the UK Immigration ID app (if eligible) or at a UKVCAS service centre.
5. Wait for decision (normally 8 weeks, with priority options available).
6. If granted, you’ll receive an updated BRP or eVisa.
After the Visa Is Granted
• Valid for up to 5 years at a time.
• You can extend, change employers (requires a new application), or switch to another route if eligible.
• You can bring dependants (partner and children) if requirements are met.
• After 5 continuous years on the Skilled Worker route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you meet salary, residence, and absence rules.