The Study Worker-category is meant to retain the brightest foreign students who have studied in the UK (under current rules or the Tier 4 system, once implemented). It is part of Tier 1 because successful applicants will be able to find work after graduation without having a sponsor.

However, it is only designed to be a bridge to highly skilled or skilled work, much like the current International Graduates Scheme it will replace. Those with student visas in the UK under Post-Study Work are expected to switch into another part of the points system (whether Tier 1 or another Tier) as soon as they are able to do so.

To encourage individuals to switch over, leave will only be granted under Post-Study Work for a maximum of 2 years and is non-renewable. Time spent in the UK under Post-Study Work will not count towards permanent residence. Students must apply for the Post-Study Work sub-category within 12 months of receiving their qualification.

The Post-Study Work sub-category replaces the International Graduates Scheme and the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme. It is good for a non-renewable two-year period after which you are expected to transfer to another immigration category. Time spent under the Post-Study Work sub-category does not count towards permanent residence. Please note that details of this scheme may change before it is implemented, so please check back periodically.

The English language requirement is waived for Post-Study Work applicants because it is assumed English language proficiency was required to obtain the eligible qualification.

Work Permits and Visas for the UK are designed to allow your family to share the benefits of living in the U.K... At Angel World we assist acquiring a visa if you have a valid job offer from a UK based employer.

You should bear in mind that this work permit will be valid only for a maximum period of 5 years for this specific employer only. Living in the UK on such a visa is counted towards the requirements for permanent residency.

Much like standard applications for U.K. work permits, the sponsoring company, rather than the individual is responsible for applying for this type of U.K. visa services.

The UK is very keen to attract bright young people to come and take advantage of the many types of high quality courses and opportunities to study in the UK. We are also keen that you might stay after you have graduated and join the UK workforce. Obtaining a UK Student Visa has changed greatly in recent times and so has the process and criteria for what you can do during and after your UK education such as working, further study or something completely different like post study work scheme. We, at Angel World, will help you in procuring a student visa, by the virtue of our streamlined services. We will assist you to get the most authentic and crystallized information pertaining to every stage of the documentation process.

Please note: At least 15 hours a week must be spent in study and the student must be able to meet the cost of the course, maintenance and accommodation without working. However, those on student visas may work 20 hours/week during term time and 40 hours/week during holidays. Normally there are no restrictions on a spouse and children working in the UK, if the student will be studying longer than one year.

At The Angel World our immigration consultant can guide you at every stage of obtaining a visa for the UK, whichever tier visa service is right for you. As a specialist UK immigration consultancy, we can offer immigration lawyer advice on your initial application and can help you adjust to living and working in the UK through a range of on arrival services.

Duration: Students will be granted leave to enter the UK for the purposes of completing their course at a specified institution. The grant will also take into account the time needed to conclude affairs and attend graduation. Changing from one course to another at the same establishment will not require a new application; however, changing a sponsor or obtaining a UK tier visa extension will require a further application to be lodged. This level of the new system is not designed as a route to settled status in Britain and does not provide the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR) or permanent residency. A Tier 4 visa is a temporary immigration service designed with a specific purpose in mind and will not lead to British naturalization as a UK citizen.

Categories of student: Students are divided into three categories when applying for a UK visa at this level. Each category requires the satisfaction of separate criteria as set out below.

General Student: Students studying in Britain at or above degree level in a publicly funded institution, or engaging in more than 15 hours of study per week. In this category, work is permitted for 20 hours each week rising to full time hours during holiday periods. Dependents are permitted to join student in this category.

School: Students in full time study at an independent school up to the age of 18. Working hours are the same as the general student category but dependents are not permitted.

Study Through Work: Students on courses of work experience or placements. Working hours will be the same as the other two categories and dependents will be permitted in instances where the principal applicant will be in the country in excess of 12 months.

Educational Institution Obligations: Educational institutions offering study places to overseas students will need to attain the status of approved sponsors by demonstrating that they are bona fide establishments, rather than non-accredited or purely commercial operations. Certificates of sponsorship act as verification from a college or university that students making UK visa applications will abide by the rules and requirements of their course. Educational institutions will also be obliged to report non-enrolment and non-attendance.

Additional information: As noted, dependents of students making a successful UK visa application will be permitted to enter the country, however, as with tier 3 visas and tier 5 visas this tier is regarded as a temporary immigration route. Unlike tier 1 and tier 2 visas, Spouse immigration and dependent immigration in these circumstances will also be temporary and will reflect the grant of leave awarded to the principle applicant. Family visa services such as the marriage visa, fiancée visa and unmarried partner visa, or De Facto visa will continue to function independently of the new system, however they will not apply to application of this kind.

The International Graduates Scheme has now closed to new applicants. If you wish to come to the United Kingdom to work, or if you are already here and wish to extend your stay by switching into a working category, you will need to apply under our new points-based system. If you are already in the United Kingdom under the International Graduates Scheme (or the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme that preceded it), you should see Transitional arrangements for migrants on the International Graduates Scheme or Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme

This page explains the temporary arrangements we have made for migrants who are currently in the United Kingdom with permission to stay under the International Graduates scheme and the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme. These and other categories have been deleted as we introduce Tier 1 of the points-based system. These transitional arrangements apply after the International Graduates Scheme is deleted on 30 June 2008. If you still have valid permission to stay in the United Kingdom (known as leave to remain) under the International Graduates Scheme or the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme on or after 30 June 2008, when we introduced of the points-based system, you will be able to apply to extend your permission to stay in your existing category for long enough to give you a combined total of two years under your current category and the Post study work category. This will be a one-off transitional arrangement. We also have special provisions for people who are British nationals (overseas), British overseas territories citizens, British overseas citizens, British protected persons or British subjects who arrived here without prior entry clearance and received limited leave to enter under the International Graduates Scheme or the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme. These provisions enable them to extend their stay in the United Kingdom for up to two years in a combination of their current category and the Tier 1(post study work) category.

If you come to the United Kingdom to take the PLAB test, you will be given permission to enter and stay in the United Kingdom for a maximum of six months. If you have not been able to take the PLAB test within this time, you will need to apply to extend your stay. You will be able to stay in the United Kingdom for a maximum of 18 months in total to undertake the PLAB test.

If you come to the United Kingdom as a postgraduate doctor or dentist, you will be given permission to enter and stay in the United Kingdom for a maximum of 26 months. If you have not finished your course within this time, you will need to apply to extend your stay. You will able to stay in the United Kingdom for a maximum of three years in total as a postgraduate doctor or dentist.