International students who are entering the UK in the 2020-21 academic year will be eligible to stay for two years after completing their studies to look for work.
Once the route is introduced, international students who have successfully completed a course at undergraduate level or above will be eligible to apply for the Graduate route. The application process will be as simple as possible and applicants will be subject to criminality, identity and security checks. All applications will need to be made in-country and a fee will be applied.
All students accepted for the Graduate route will receive two years non-extendable leave. During that time, they will be able to work, or look for work, at any skill level, but won’t be able to access public funds and settlement rights will not be accrued. Graduates will also be able to switch into skilled work once they have found a suitable job.
For more information, please download the summary document issued by the UK Home Office, available at the bottom of this page.