Immigration rules state that you must be in the UK with a valid Tier 4/Student visa for a specified period of time during your studies to qualify for a Graduate visa. The specified period of time depends on the length of your programme. Travelling for non-programme related reasons while you are studying Programmes for 12 months or less If you are studying a programme for 12 months or less, you must be on campus during term-time. You should choose to travel during vacation periods or at weekends. The University’s semester dates Programmes for more than 12 months If you study a programme with a duration of more than 12 months, travel should not affect your eligibility for the Graduate visa providing you spend at least 12 months of your studies in the UK. Masters programmes Masters students do not have a summer vacation. You are expected to work full time on your dissertation. If you choose to travel during term time, this might impact on your eligibility for a Graduate visa. Travelling after your studies The period of time between your programme end date and your current Student visa end date is the wrap-up period. Travelling during your wrap-up period should not affect your eligibility for a Graduate visa. However, you must be in the UK with a valid Tier 4/Student visa to apply for a Graduate visa. Stay in the UK while you wait for a decision You need to stay in the UK until you receive a decision for your visa application from UKVI. Otherwise, your application will be automatically treated as being withdrawn. You will usually receive a decision within eight weeks. Faster processing services are not available for Graduate visa applications. Find out more about travelling at the end of your studies Work you can accept Explore what kind of work you can accept before, during and after your visa application This article was published on 2024-07-29
