UK Immigration

Pathway to UK Permanent Residency: From Student to Settled Status

The UK offers a clear, structured immigration path for international students, with the Graduate route providing a critical, unsponsored bridge between graduation and securing long-term sponsored employment.

1. Post-Study Work Visa: The Graduate Route

The Graduate route visa (often referred to as the Post-Study Work or PSW visa) allows international students who have completed an eligible course in the UK to stay and work, or look for work, for a fixed period.

A. Core Eligibility Requirements

 

Requirement Detail
Current Visa Must have valid Student visa or Tier 4 (General) Student visa when applying.
Application Location Must apply from inside the UK.
Education Must have successfully completed an eligible course at a UK Higher Education Provider (HEP) with a "track record of compliance."
Duration of Study You must have been sponsored by your HEP for a minimum period of time (e.g., your entire course if it was 12 months or less).
Successful Completion Your education provider must have notified the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.


B. Visa Duration and Work Rights

 

Qualification Completed Visa Duration Work Rights
Bachelor's Degree 2 years Full work rights. Work at any skill level and no minimum salary is required. You can be employed, self-employed, or look for work.
Master's Degree 2 years Full work rights, same as above.
PhD or Doctoral 3 years Full work rights, same as above.

  • Key Benefit: The Graduate route is unsponsored. You do not need a job offer or a sponsor license from an employer to apply for it.

  • Limitation: The Graduate route does not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) (Permanent Residency). You must switch to a long-term, qualifying work visa during this period.

2. Long-Term Work Visa: The Skilled Worker Route

The Skilled Worker visa is the primary, mandatory stepping stone from the Graduate route to settlement in the UK. This route requires a job offer from an approved sponsor.

A. Core Eligibility Requirements

Requirement Detail Points Awarded
Sponsorship A confirmed job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid sponsor licence. The employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). 20 Points
Skill Level The job must be at an appropriate skill level (RQF Level 3 or above, typically equivalent to A-level or higher, but many graduate jobs meet the higher RQF 6/degree level). 20 Points
Salary Threshold You must be paid the higher of: a) The general minimum salary threshold (currently per year, but this amount is subject to change) OR b) The "going rate" for your specific job (occupation code). Note: Recent graduates switching from the Student/Graduate route may be eligible for a lower "new entrant" salary threshold. 20 Points
English Language Must prove English proficiency to at least level CEFR B1. Having a UK degree generally satisfies this. 10 Points
Total You need to score a minimum of 70 points. 70 Points

 

B. Switching from Graduate Route

Graduates on the Graduate route can switch directly to the Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK at any time, provided they meet all the eligibility criteria (job offer, sponsorship, salary, etc.).

3. The Path to Permanent Residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain - ILR)

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the UK's equivalent of Permanent Residency (PR). The most common route for skilled migrants is the 5-year route.

A. ILR Eligibility Requirements (The 5-Year Route)

To apply for ILR, you must meet the following criteria, with time spent on the Skilled Worker visa being the most important:

  1. Continuous Lawful Residence: Have lived in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years in a qualifying visa category (e.g., Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder).

    • Crucial Point: Time spent on the Graduate route (PSW) DOES NOT count toward the 5-year ILR clock. The clock only starts once you switch to the Skilled Worker or other qualifying long-term route.

  2. Absence Limit: You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during the 5 years.

  3. Qualifying Employment: Still be employed in the job for which you were sponsored, or in another qualifying job, and still meet the salary requirements applicable at the time of the ILR application.

  4. Knowledge of Life in the UK:

    • Pass the official Life in the UK Test.

    • Demonstrate English proficiency (usually met by having a UK degree or passing a test).

B. Other Qualifying Work Visas (Alternative ILR Pathways)

While the Skilled Worker visa is the most common path, other visas offer a quicker route to ILR:

Visa Route ILR Path Duration Key Requirement
Innovator Founder 3 years Endorsement of a genuine, viable, and scalable business idea.
Global Talent 3 or 5 years Endorsement as a leader or potential leader in academia/research, arts/culture, or digital technology.

Summary: Student to PR Timeline (UK)

 

Stage Visa Route Duration Key Action ILR Clock Status
Study Student Visa 1 - 4 years Complete your degree. Not Started
Post-Study Graduate Route 2 years (3 for PhD) Work or seek a qualifying job. Not Started
Long-Term Work Skilled Worker Visa 5 years Secure a sponsored job. Starts Here
Settlement Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) After Apply for ILR, pass Life in the UK Test. Achieved