Working After Studies

An Introduction for Students at Oxford Brookes University

21 May 2007

Turpin & Miller Solicitorswww.turpinmiller.co.uk

The International Graduate Scheme (IGS)

for UK graduate and postgraduate students

Graduate and postgraduate students completing their Degree in the UK are entitled to work for 12

months on completion of their studies

Information on The International Graduate

Scheme can be found at:

www.workingintheuk.gov.uk go to Schemes and Programmes

www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/go to Law and Policy – Immigration Rules

and to Immigration Directorate Instructions

What are the conditions for IGS?

You must have successfully completed:

a Bachelor’s degree course; ora Master's or PhD course; or

a postgraduate certificate or diploma.

You must intend to work

This requirement is satisfied by your statement that you do intend to work and no job offer is

required.

You must be able to support and accommodate yourself without recourse to public funds.

There is no amount of income and capital specified but you should show either:

(i) current student employment, or (ii) a firm job offer, or

(iii) some savings to live on until you find and start work

You must intend to leave the UK on completion of the IGS…

Unless granted leave as a Work Permit holder, under the HSMP, as a businessperson, innovator

or student

You must have the consent of your sponsor if your studies have been sponsored by a

government or an international scholarship agency.

This applies to applications to the Home Office and to applications from abroad.

(When you contact your sponsor, ask for consent to include subsequent applications)

The maximum period of time is 12 monthsfrom commencement.

It cannot be split up

IGS holders are entitled to have spouse/partner and minor children join/remain

When can I apply for IGS?

The application can be first made as soon as the student has completed the course. It is not necessary to have the degree certificate.

The application must be last made within 12 months of the completion of the course as shown by the completion of leave to remain as a student.

Where can I apply for IGS?

The application can be made directly to the Home Office on form FLR(IGS), or

The application can made within 12 months of the completion of the course to the British

Embassy/High Commission on form VAF1(see www.ukvisas.gov.uk)

Can I switch back to student visa in the UK after doing IGS?

Yes, near the end of your 12 months IGS you will be able to apply directly to the Home Office to

extend your stay as a student.

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme

(HSMP)

HSMP is a points based scheme

75 points are needed

It leads to settlement after five years

View the HSMP Guidance Notes at www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/

and go to All Forms

You score points for qualifications:

PhD – 50 ptsMasters – 35 pts

Bachelors – 30 pts

Vocational and professional qualifications can also score points if equivalent to the UK academic

qualification

You score points for previous earnings:

For example, Band A, which includes the UK

£16,000+ - 5 points£18,000+ - 10 points£20,000+ - 15 points£23,000+ 20 points£26,000+ 25 points

etcetera

For all the Bands and the salaries see the Guidance Notes

You score points for UK experience:

Working or studying (degree level) in the UK

for one year gives you 5 points

(you cannot score 10 points for having done both!)

You score points for your age at the date of application:

27 or under – 20 points28 or 29 – 10 points30 or 31 – 5 points

You must meet the English language requirement of either:

IELTS Test Report Form Band 6 or above in the last two years, or

Evidence that you hold a Bachelors degree (equivalent to a UK Bachelors) taught in

English.

You can switch from student or from IGS into HSMP without

going home

You must have the written consent of your sponsor to remain as a highly skilled migrant if your sponsorship was by a government or

international scholarship agency sponsorship and that sponsorship is either ongoing or has recently come to an end.

This does not apply to HSMP applicants making their application outside the UK.

Which is better - HSMP or IGS?

IGS costs £395HSMP costs £400 + £350

HSMP lasts longer (2yrs + 3 yrs = ILR)

If you might stay for more than 12 months then apply for HSMP

(but you might need to work for 12 months under IGS to obtain the Points for earnings)

If I change jobs with HSMP do I have to make another HSMP

application?

No

Lots of people get refused on HSMP because of not

submitting the right documentation, is this true?

Yes

What is the difference between a Work Permit and IGS and

HSMP?

A Work Permit is obtained by an employer. It gives permission to work in that job only. If you want to move jobs you have to obtain a new Work Permit.

It leads to settlement after 5 years

If a job application says, "Have you got/do you need a work

permit to work in the UK?" what should I put if I have permission

to stay under IGS or HSMP?

You have permission to work but it is not called a ‘Work Permit’. If you have IGS or HSMP you do

not need a Work Permit.

That’s all

Thank you!