The United Kingdom (UK) is one of the most popular academic hubs in the world. While the student visa allows you to study abroad, the post-study work visa lets you work after completing your studies. So, let’s understand what a post-study work visa means, PGWP eligibility criteria, PGWP processing times, and other interesting details.

Key Highlights

• Post-study work permit: A new graduate route
  • What is PGWP’s full form?
  • PGWP meaning
• What is a UKVI post-study work visa?
• New rules for post-graduation work permit 2024
• Things you can and cannot do on post-study work visa 2024
• PGWP eligibility criteria
• PGWP processing time
• What if the UKVI post-study work visa expires?

Post-study work permit: A new graduate route

In the UK, thousands of overseas students apply for the PGWP to stay and explore jobs in the country after completing their study programs.

• What is PGWP’s full form? PGWP stands for post-graduate work permit.
• PGWP meaning: Post-graduate work permit or the UK post-graduate work visa (PGWV), is a temporary visa that allows international students to live and explore job opportunities in the country.

Also Read: Everything you need to know before pursuing higher education at UK university without IELTS

What is a UKVI post-study work visa?

The UKVI stands for UK Visas & Immigration. The UKVI post-study work visa allows students to stay in the country for a minimum of 2 years after completing their course. Whereas, students with PhD or doctoral qualifications are allowed to stay for 3 years. This step is taken to retain the brightest students and help them explore lucrative career opportunities in the UK. This visa is also known as the UK Graduate visa. This new graduate route can be availed by all students, enrolled at UK universities. To get a Permanent Residency (PR) in the UK after studies, students must apply for a post-graduation work permit and then work in the country for a minimum of 5 years.

Also Read: University of Oxford in UK

New rules for post-graduation work permit 2024

The UK government introduced several changes in their post-study work permit, which are effective from January 2024. These changes are as follows:

• International students pursuing post-graduate research programs lasting at least two years can bring dependents on their student visas. Students who started their course in September 2023 can bring their dependants to the UK regardless of the program choice.
• They cannot change to a work route visa after 17th July 2024 unless they have finished their studies.

With these minor changes, the UK post-study work visa allowing foreign students to stay and work in the country after completing the study program is available for 2024.

Things you can and cannot do with post-study work visa 2024

With a Graduate visa, you can:

• Work in most jobs
• Explore self-employment opportunities
• Look for work
• Do voluntary work
• Travel to another country and return to the UK
• Stay with dependents if they are eligible

With a Graduate visa, you cannot:

• Apply for several benefits like public funds or the State Pension
• Work as a professional sportsperson

Also Read: Your Complete Guide to Studying in the UK

PGWP eligibility criteria

To apply for a post-graduation work permit, here are some of the requirements:

• You should be in the UK
• You should be a student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa holder
• Must have studied a post-graduate or other degree program
• Your education provider (university or college) must confirm to the UK Home Office that your course is completed.

PGWP processing time

After applying for the post-graduate work permit and submitting the necessary documents, you will get a decision within 8 weeks if you meet their criteria.

What if the UKVI post-study work visa expires?

Once the visa expires, aspirants need to apply either for a skilled worker visa or a Tier 2 (general) student visa to stay longer in the UK.
With this information about the post-study work visa, you can plan your journey. If financial constraints are troubling you, you can apply for a loan for studying abroad purposes. A study loan helps finance higher education without using your family’s savings. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer hyper-personalised education loans with benefits like 100% finance, multiple repayment options, and quick loan sanctions. Feel free to contact us to know about education loan interest rates, the loan documentation process, etc.