Two presentations to international students about visas and employment options in the UK after they graduate

1. Working in the
UK after your
studies
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International Student Support

2. Your Tier 4 visa and work short
term
• Part-time work during study - errors
• Understanding your visa conditions - UG, PG
and PGR
• The working week
• Using your +4 months for work experience –
conditions and course changes
Tier 4 University of Sussex working policy -
www.sussex.ac.uk/academicregistry/academic-registrars-
office/compliance/working
.
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3. Visa routes after Tier 4
Main routes
Tier 1 – Entrepreneurs, Graduate Entrepreneurs and Investors
Tier 2 General – skilled jobs with a Tier 2 sponsor
Tier 5 – Temporary workers and Youth Mobility Scheme
PhD route – Doctorate extension scheme (Tier 4)
Other Options (only relevant to some)
Dependants
Spouse or partner of person settled in UK
EEA family member
UK Ancestry route – Commonwealth + grandparent UK born
Turkish Workers – self employment and working rights
.
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4. Tier 2 General: overview
Eligibility for a Tier 2 (General) visa:
• a job offer from a Tier 2 employer – certificate of sponsorship (CoS)
• skills level requirement
• the salary must meet the appropriate wage level – minimum of £20,800, though this
depends on the job and can be higher
 the required level of English (your degree)
• Maintenance requirement - You must also have £945 in savings - this is to prove you can
support yourself. You must have had this in your bank account for 90 days before you
apply, unless you’re exempt (A-rated sponsor can choose to certify your maintenance
when issuing the CoS)
How long? Initial visa of up to 5 years or length of the contract (whichever is shorter),
extension to a maximum of 6 years in total
You need a graduate level job offer with a salary of at least £20,800

5. UKVI Register of Sponsor – Check if the employer has a Tier 2 license
www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-
workers

6. Tier 2 General – Application
options
Tier 2 application options:
1. Applying in the UK before your Tier 4 visa expires, special provisions for students – in
most cases no Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) and new entrant salary level
applies
2. Applying from your home country – Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) applies in
most cases (restricted COS and points system apply) exemption from RLMT if shortage
occupation
Jobs classified as PhD level jobs have more relaxed advertising requirements and
employers are allowed to appoint the best applicant even if a suitable settled worker
applies.
You need a graduate level job offer with a salary of > £20,800

7. Tier 2 – What is RLMT? Do I qualify
for the post study work exemption
from RLMT?
What is the Resident Labour Market Test?
This is the process an employer must follow before employing a person who is not a
permanent resident of the United Kingdom, they must be able to prove that no suitably
skilled settled worker could do the job (specific advertising requirements)
You are exempt from this if you apply in the UK before your Tier 4 visa expires AND:
You must have completed at least 12 months of study in the UK towards a UK PhD, or have
completed and passed a UK recognised bachelor or postgraduate degree or a PGCE (during
your current leave, or a period of continuous leave which includes your current grant of
leave)
CHECK if you will meet the student exemption requirements here:
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Working/Working-after-
studies#RL?rl_playlist=playlist3771&rl_id=4
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8. Tier 2 General – What type of
jobs are acceptable?
Check if your job meets the Tier 2 requirements, Immigration rules appendix J - Codes of
practice for skilled work
Employers use ‘Codes of Practice’ to identify the standard occupational classification
for a job
The codes of practice tell you what the minimum rates of pay and the skill level are for
any job, explains which jobs are acceptable under Tier 2
Most jobs must be graduate level, RQF level 6 minimum (exceptions in creative
sector/shortage occupation) Tables 1 and 2 at the above link
Details salary requirements by job – all £20,800 or higher
‘new entrant’ and ‘experienced worker’ rates
You need a graduate level job offer with a salary of > £20,800

9. Tier 2 General – Examples,
PhD level jobs and Shortage
Occupations
Examples – SOC Code 2122 – Mechanical Engineer Salary rates:
New entrant: £27,500
Experienced worker: £33,000
PhD level jobs - SOC code 2119 Research staff (new entrant £21,600, experienced
worker £32,300) and SOC code 2311 Academic Teaching faculty - £25,700 new entrant
and £32,300 experienced worker
Shortage Occupations are jobs that employers find difficult to fill using settled workers
only. The list can be found in appendix K of the immigration rules
You need a graduate level job offer with a salary of > £20,800

10. Tier 2 – Application process,
requirements, costs, & timing
Once you have your Certificate of sponsorship from your employer, fill in online form
You need to maintain £945 in your bank account for 90 consecutive days (sponsor
certification possible from A rated sponsors)
Deadline to apply in the UK is your visa expiry date
Cost of application – Less than 3 years = Postal £677, PEO in person £1,267, from Home
£587
Cost of application – More than 3 years costs increases
Payment of Immigration Health Surcharge - £200 per year (at time of application)
Are you or have you been financially sponsored ? Unconditional consent letter needed if
in last 12 months and fully sponsored (fees and living costs)
You need a graduate level job offer with a salary of > £20,800

11. Tier 2 – Common Problems and
Questions
See the UKCISA information on Common Problems
Topics covered – permission to work, work permits, An employer who doesn’t have a
Tier 2 license, Employers who don’t understand the RLMT exemption.
ASK us a question by email or book an appointment for 2018 - email
immigration@sussex.ac.uk
You need a graduate level job offer with a salary of > £20,800

12. Tier 5 - overview
There are two schemes:
1. Youth mobility scheme
2. Temporary Worker - subcategories:
 government authorised exchange
 creative and sporting
 charity workers
 religious workers
 international agreement
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13. Tier 5 – Youth Mobility Scheme
Youth mobility scheme is available to nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco,
New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, & Hong Kong (SAR), and to British Overseas
Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens and British Nationals (Overseas)
Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong SAR – a valid CoS is required from national
government
18-30 year olds only
£1,890 in your bank account on date of application
No previous time in UK as a Working Holidaymaker or a Tier 5 (YMS) migrant
Single period of leave for 2 years – you can work in the UK for up to 2 years
Self-employment permitted but restrictions
No switching in the UK, apply from home only
No dependants allowed
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14. Tier 5 – Government Authorised
Exchange (GAE)
Made up of four programmes:
 Work experience programmes – volunteering, job-shadowing, internships and
approved work experience programmes. Max stay 12 months.
 Research programmes – working on specific scientific, academic, medical or
government research projects. Max stay 24 months.
 Training programmes – in receipt of formal, practical training in the fields of science
and/or medicine. Includes training programmes for qualifying graduates. Max stay 24
months
 Overseas government language programmes. Max stay 24 months.
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15. Tier 5 – Government Authorised
Exchange (GAE)
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Start researching relevant schemes - you need to find your own Internship
or opportunity – work placements/contacts
Contact the Tier 5 sponsor to ask for full details and find out how to apply
Details of GAE schemes www.gov.uk/government/publications/tier-5-
government-authorised-exchange-schemes
Tier 5 GAE guidance www.gov.uk/tier-5-government-authorised-exchange
 Example of work experience scheme: Tier 5 Intern Scheme – run by GTI
recruitment solutions, employer needs to register with GTI
http://tier5intern.com/about-the-scheme

16. Tier 5 – Government Authorised
Exchange (GAE)
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Need to be sponsored by a licensed overarching body and be issued
with a Certificate of Sponsorship
Must meet the requirements of the individual scheme
You can stay in the UK for up to 12 or 24 months (depending on the
scheme you’re applying for)
National minimum wage applies
Switching into GAE only in specific circumstances, some GAE schemes
allow application in UK
Maintenance requirement £945 for 90 days (or A rated sponsor
certification)
VISA fee £235 by post/online OR £825 in person
 You must have one of the following: a PGCE, PGDE, or UK bachelors or
masters degree or completed at least 12 months study towards a UK
PhD
 Can have dependants, study and take additional job up to 20 hours

17. Doctorate extension scheme –
Tier 4 – PhD students?
PhD work scheme - must be studying for a PhD qualification
Apply in UK only, before your course ends via Tier 4 route – speak to an adviser three
months before your thesis submission - TIMING VERY IMPORTANT
Apply after viva, once submitted corrections (if any), must apply before official
completion – keep in touch with Research Student Administration Office
Self-employment allowed
Do not need a job offer to apply for DES
12 months duration – bridge Tier 2
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18. Doctorate extension scheme –
Tier 4
What do I need to apply?
Maintenance £2,030, for 28 consecutive days
Costs the same as Tier 4 (standard £457, priority £916, premium £1047)
Consent letter needed if you have been financially sponsored in last 12 months
University of Sussex will continue to be your sponsor (monitoring requirements)
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/internationalsupport/working/doctorateextensionscheme
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Working/Working-after-studies#layer-3780
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19. Tier 1 – “Entrepreneur, Investor
and Graduate Entrepreneur”
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) a scheme for graduates who have been endorsed by a UK university
as having developed ‘genuine and credible business ideas and entrepreneurial skills’ . Sussex is
participating in this scheme now.
Entrepreneur - is for people who want to invest in the UK by setting up or taking over, and being
actively involved in the running of, a business or businesses here (Usual £200,000, minimum £50,000
investment)
Investor - is for high-net-worth individuals who want to make a substantial financial investment in
the UK (minimum £2 million)
You can find detailed information about all of these schemes at www.gov.uk/browse/visas-
immigration/work-visas
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20. Tier 1 – “Exceptional talent”
Exceptional talent – this route is for exceptionally talented individuals who wish to work in the UK in
the fields of:
 Science
 Humanities
 Engineering
 The arts
 Technology
Either:
Already internationally recognised at the highest level as world leaders or emerging leaders in field
OR
Already demonstrated ‘exceptional promise’ and are likely to become world leaders in particular field
(from 6 April 2014)
Require endorsement from Designated Competent Body (Arts Council, Royal Academy of
Engineering, British Academy, Royal Society, Tech City UK - recognised world leaders only)
Limited to 1000 per year
No maintenance requirement
Initial grant 3 years and 4 months, extension 2 years, settlement after 5 years
More details can be found here - www.gov.uk/tier-1-exceptional-talent
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21. understand w prepare w and then we can support you
Contact details
International Student Support, Bramber House, 2md Floor, Room 202
T: +44(0) 1273 678422
E: immigration@sussex.ac.uk – email us a question or book an appointment with an adviser
www.sussex.ac.uk/internationalsupport/immigration
Please note that although we make every effort to ensure the advice and information we offer is accurate –
the immigration rules are subject to change and often change at short notice. We do not accept any
responsibility for changes in policy.

22. Claire Ward & Claudine Grant
Visas and employment
in the UK

23.  Think about what type of position you are looking for based
on your skills, interests and experience.
 Research where and when to look for vacancies – check the
full range of media including web sites, printed resources and
recruitment events (Job fairs).
 Register with Gradlink http://www.gradlinkuk.com/
 Create a list of relevant vacancy sources and sign up for email
alerts.
Next steps..

24. Next steps..

25.  Careers and Employability centre - Careerhub
 Websites – Milkround, Target, Graduate jobs etc
 Professional bodies – ACCA, IMecE, IPA, BPS
 Specialist websites – NHS, Jobs.ac.uk, Economist
 Indeed.com
 Speculative applications
Vacancy sources
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/index

26. Next steps.

27.  Identify potential employers
 Phone or research on line to find a key contact to contact
 Send a tailored CV and cover letter targeted to that company
 Follow up with a phone call or email after 1-2 weeks
Making speculative applications

28.  Research the roles and the employers carefully
 Tailor your application to the role, and..
 Get advice on your application
 Show your enthusiasm and demonstrate your motivation
 Join a professional body to network, learn about the sector
and show your commitment (BPS, Law Society, ACCA)
 Have a back up plan!
Recommendations..

29.  Careers and Employability Centre, The Library
 Careers Advisers available daily
 Briefings – applications, CVs, interviews etc
 Employer Events – listed on events page
 www.sussex.ac.uk/careers
 www.prospects.ac.uk
For more information..

30. questions?