UK GRADUATE VISA FOR STUDENTS FROM SWITZERLAND IN THE UK

The UK Graduate Visa allows Swiss students (and non-Swiss students) 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 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 Swiss (and non-Swiss) Students

To qualify for a Graduate Visa as a Swiss student in the UK, or a student of any other nationality, 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 may vary depending on your circumstances. For expert advice, consulting an immigration lawyer specialising in UK immigration law is advisable.

Graduate Visa Eligible Courses

If you are a Student from Switzerland studying in the UK then to extend your stay in the UK 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.

Graduate Visa Minimum Student Permission Period

To qualify for a Graduate Visa as a Swiss student (or non-Swiss student) studying in the UK, 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 on the Graduate Visa Route

Swiss graduates (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 I Do (And Not Do) With a Graduate Visa?

• Duration of Stay: Graduates 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 Graduate Visa does not directly lead to settlement or indefinite leave to remain. 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 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 immigration barristers assist Swiss (and non-Swiss) students and graduates 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 for Swiss students in the UK.

To discuss your Graduate Visa application with a member of our UK immigration team in Switzerland, call +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.