Exciting immigration route for graduates

Graduates, who do not have a job offer in the UK, but have an outstanding business idea that they wish to implement in the UK, can apply under this route.

To qualify a person must have been awarded a degree qualification, which meets or exceed the recognised standard of a bachelor’s degree in the UK. In cases of an overseas qualification, UK NARIC has to confirm the standard of the qualification.

An authorised institution must also endorse the applicant. There are some Higher Education Institutions in the UK, who can endorse graduates wishing to apply under this route. These authorised Higher Education Institutions identify graduates who have developed genuine and credible business ideas or entrepreneurial skills. Alternatively, a graduate can be endorsed by the UK Trade and Investment as part of their elite global graduate entrepreneur programme. To apply to be endorsed, the applicant has to lodge an application with the relevant institution.

Qualifying UK Higher Education Institutions may endorse 1,900 graduates in any subject. UK Trade and Investment may endorse 100 overseas graduates.

Apart from this endorsement, candidates will also have to fulfil an English language and a maintenance fund requirement.

Switching into this category from certain other UK Immigration categories is allowed.

If a person is successful in their application, they will be granted an initial leave to remain for one year, after which they will be able to apply for an extension for another year. The Visa can only be extended to a maximum period of two years, after which the person should be eligible to apply under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route.

One of the many advantages of this immigration route includes the fact that apart from the business or businesses you have established, you may take other employment, provided that this is not as doctor or dentist in training or as a professional sportsperson. You will also be allowed to study further subject to certain conditions.

Spouses and partners, as well as dependant children,  can apply to accompany the main applicant.

Unfortunately, this immigration category does not lead to Permanent Residence in the UK. It does, however, provide an applicant with up to two years’ Leave to Remain in the UK, which may facilitate future applications to enter an immigration route which will lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting immigration category or want to apply, contact BIC today!

www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com