UK Graduate Visa

UK GRADUATE VISA FOR STUDENTS FROM SWITZERLAND

The UK Graduate Visa allows international students from Switzerland who have completed an eligible UK degree to remain in the UK to work or look for work for two years (three years for doctorate holders) after completing their studies.

While the UK Graduate Visa does not directly lead to settlement, Swiss (and non-Swiss) graduates on this route can switch to other work-based visas that may lead to settlement.

Graduate Visa Requirements for Students from Switzerland

To qualify for a Graduate Visa from Switzerland, you must satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

Completion of Studies: You have successfully completed a UK degree or other eligible course.
Institution Compliance: You studied at a Higher Education Provider that is a compliant student sponsor.
Student Permission: You held permission as a Student, granted for studying the relevant qualification in the UK, for a minimum period.
Application Location: You are applying from within the UK and have valid Student or Tier 4 Student leave at the date of application.
Prior Permissions: You have not previously held permission on the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) or the Graduate route.
Suitability: You do not fall for refusal on grounds of suitability.

The exact requirements vary depending on your circumstances. Consulting a UK immigration lawyer for expert advice is advisable.

To discuss your UK Graduate Visa application with one of our UK immigration lawyers in Switzerland, contact our UK immigration law firm on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete an enquiry form.

UK Graduate Visa Eligible Courses for Swiss Students in the UK

If you are an international student from Switzerland studying in the UK, to extend your stay on the Graduate Immigration Route, you need to have successfully completed a UK bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, or a professional course at this level in a regulated profession.

You are also eligible if you have been sponsored as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer following the completion of an eligible qualification in your most recent grant of study permission.

UK Graduate Visa Minimum Student Permission Period for Swiss International Students

To qualify for a Graduate Visa as a Swiss international student, you must have held permission as a Student for a minimum period based on the length of your course:

For courses lasting 12 months or less, you must have held Student permission throughout the entire course in the UK.
For courses longer than 12 months, you must have been granted permission for at least 12 months on the Student route and have spent that time studying in the UK.

Graduate Visa Sponsorship

The Graduate Visa Route is unsponsored, meaning you do not need a job offer or a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to be eligible.

Job-Seeking and Employment for Swiss Nationals (and non-Swiss Nationals) on the Graduate Visa Route

Swiss (and non-Swiss) graduates on this route can look for work and, once employed, work flexibly at any skill level without a minimum salary requirement. They can also switch jobs.

What Can an International Student From Switzerland Do (And Not Do) With a Graduate Visa?

Duration of Stay: UK graduates from Switzerland with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can stay for two years. Doctoral graduates can stay for three years.
Extensions of Stay: It is not possible to extend a Graduate Visa.
Settlement or ILR: The UK Graduate Visa does not directly lead to settlement or indefinite leave to remain in the UK. However, you can switch to other work-based routes such as the Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or Innovator Founder routes, which can lead to settlement, provided you meet their requirements.

Dependants

Family members with permission to stay in the UK as your dependents can extend their stay when you enter the Graduate Visa Route. New dependents are not permitted, except for a child born in the UK during your period of Student or Graduate leave.

COVID-19 and the Graduate Immigration Route

The Home Office had concessions for students unable to travel to the UK due to COVID-19, which ended on 30 June 2022. Distance learning between 24 January 2020 and 6 April 2022 did not prevent applicants from meeting the requirement to study in the UK if:

They began a course of 12 months or less before 21 June 2021 and entered the UK by 27 September 2021 with Student permission.
They began a course of 12 months or less between 21 June 2021 and 6 April 2022 and entered the UK by 6 April 2022 with Student permission.

Distance learning for longer courses did not prevent meeting the requirement if the applicant held Student permission.

Graduates Whose Tier 4 or Student Leave Expired Before 1 July 2021

Graduates whose leave expired before 1 July 2021 are not eligible for a Graduate Visa. However, they may switch to other routes like the Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, or Global Talent routes.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services for Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.

Our UK immigration law specialists assist international students and graduates from Switzerland in moving to or extending their stay in the UK for education and work opportunities. We offer expert guidance on Home Office rules and policies and provide clear, reliable immigration advice as part of a professional and friendly service. Call us on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete an enquiry form.

WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH

Applications for Skilled Worker Visas by Swiss Citizens and non-Swiss Citizens

The Skilled Worker Visa is open to individuals of all nationalities (except British and Irish) who have an offer of an eligible skilled job in the UK from a Home Office-approved sponsor. The route can lead to settlement and applicants can be joined by dependent partners and children.

In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are aged 18 or over;
You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you are planning to do;
Your job offer is a genuine vacancy;
Your sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge;
Your job is at an appropriate skill level;
You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0);
You will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation;
You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
You have provided a criminal record certificate, if required; and
You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Applications for UK Student Visas by Swiss Nationals and non-Swiss Nationals

The Student Visa category is for individuals who are aged 16 or over and who wish to study on a further or higher education course in the UK.

In order to qualify for a UK Student Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are aged 16 or over;
You have been offered an unconditional place on an approved course with a licensed student sponsor;
You can read, write, speak and understand English to at least CEFR Level B2 (if studying at degree level or above) or CEFR Level B1 (if studying at below degree level);
You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course without relying on public funds;
You have the consent of your parents if you are 16 or 17 years old;

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Applications for Short-term Student Visas (English Language) by Residents of Switzerland

The Short-term Student Visa (English Language) is a route for persons aged 16 and over who want to study an English language course in the UK for between 6 and 11 months without a student sponsor but at an accredited institution.

In order to qualify for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language) you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are aged 16 or over;
You are outside the UK;
You have been accepted onto an English language course (that does not include any other subject) at an accredited institution that will last no longer than 11 months;
You have paid your course fees or have enough funds to pay your course fees;
You do not intend to undertake a course of study of longer than 11 months, study at an academy or state-funded school, make the UK your main home, work in the UK or engage in any business or professional activities in the UK;
You intend to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your English language course, or at the end of 11 months, whichever is sooner;
You can maintain and accommodate yourself adequately without receiving public funds;
You have enough funds to meet the cost of your return or onward journey from the UK;
You have the consent of your parents if you are 16 or 17 years old.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Fresh applications, Administrative reviews and Judicial reviews for Graduates from Switzerland

If your application for permission to stay on the Graduate Immigration Route has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the decision.

If the decision-maker failed to apply the Immigration Rules or Home Office policy correctly, we can bring Administrative Review proceedings to challenge the decision.

If the decision to refuse your application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can apply for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.