Switch Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker Visa: An Explanation of self sponsorship visa
Graduates who want to switch from a Graduate Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa frequently find the procedure difficult and complicated. Even though this change can be difficult, it also gives UK graduates a lot of opportunity to grow in their long-term professions and establish themselves in the country. For motivated graduates, self sponsorship visa has become a feasible option that allows them to take charge of their immigration status and career destiny.
This manual seeks to elucidate the notion of self-sponsorship by delineating the procedural aspects and emphasising the opportunities it presents, specifically for holders of Graduate Visas. Knowing about this path will help you make well-informed decisions about your stay in the UK and your professional trajectory, regardless of whether you’re a new graduate or an ambitious entrepreneur.
FAQ
1. Is it possible for someone with a Graduate Visa to work for themselves?
Sure, you can work for yourself and any other form of job as long as you have a Graduate Visa. You are unable to participate in professional sports as a coach or player, though. This visa gives you the option to change to the Skilled Worker path if you find a suitable work, even if it doesn’t extend your stay or lead straight to settlement.
2. How may I use self-sponsorship to move from a Graduate Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa?
Establishing or investing in a UK business and then securing a sponsor licence for it are the steps involved in self-sponsorship. This makes it possible for the employer to sponsor you as a skilled worker, making it easier for you to transition from a graduate visa to a skilled worker visa and, potentially, get settled after five years.
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3. What are the first actions that I must take in order to begin the self-sponsorship process?
In order to initiate self-sponsorship, one must first create a UK company or invest in one, apply for a licence as a skilled worker sponsor, issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, and thereafter submit an application for a skilled worker visa. To sponsor personnel, make sure your company is legal and complies with Home Office regulations.
What are the primary advantages of converting a skilled worker visa from a graduate visa?
The benefits of switching to a skilled worker visa include the possibility to bring dependents, a clear track to settlement, and a longer stay (up to 5 years before requiring an extension). Additionally, this visa opens you more specialised job options that fit your professional objectives.
4. I want to apply for a skilled worker visa through self-sponsorship; may I apply with my family?
You are able to include dependents in your application for the Skilled Worker Visa. Assuming they fit the requirements and were already listed as your dependents on your student and graduate visa, this also covers your partner, spouse, and children under the age of 18. If not, they might apply to become dependent family members of yours by moving to your country of residency.
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The Change from Graduate to Skilled Worker Visa
An overview of the Graduate Visa
After finishing your studies, you are permitted to stay in the UK for a minimum of two years with the UK Graduate Visa. You must have finished a qualifying course and be in the UK on a student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa in order to be eligible. This visa is valid for two years, or three years if you have a PhD or other doctorate, starting on the day your application is accepted.
You can work in most occupations, look for work, work for yourself, and stay in the UK with your qualifying partner and kids if you have a Graduate Visa. You are also allowed to travel overseas and engage in volunteer activities. You cannot, however, apply for the majority of benefits or pursue a career in professional sports.
Advantages of Converting to a Skilled Worker Visa
Although the Graduate Visa is flexible, there are more benefits when you move to a Skilled Worker Visa. The skilled worker visa provides a direct route to settlement and has a maximum 5-year validity period before requiring an extension. You might be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, which would give you the freedom to live and work in the UK indefinitely.
Important Distinctions Between the Two Visas
- Sponsorship: While the skilled worker visa requires sponsorship, the graduate visa does not.
Settlement: Unlike the Graduate Visa, the Skilled Worker Visa results in settlement. - Dependents: While dependents are permitted on the Skilled Worker Visa, they are only allowed under the Graduate Visa if they were previously covered by your Student Visa.
- Duration: The skilled worker visa is dependent on your job contract, whereas the graduate visa is valid for two to three years.
- Work Restrictions: While the Skilled Worker Visa has particular employment and income criteria, the Graduate Visa allows work at any skill or salary level.
Graduates’ Route to Self-Sponsorship
An inventive method of staying in the UK permanently after your Graduate Visa expires is through self-sponsorship. This path requires you to start your own company and secure a sponsor licence for it. After your business obtains this licence, it will be able to sponsor you as a skilled worker, allowing you to change to a skilled worker visa and eventually settle after five years.
The Self-Sponsorship Concept
There are four primary steps in the process:
- Found or finance a UK business
- Apply for a licence to sponsor a skilled worker.
- Assign a Sponsorship Certificate.
- File for a Visa for Skilled Workers
Your UK company needs to be registered, operating, and in possession of a sponsor licence. You will be required to perform duties equivalent to a position from the list of qualifying vocations, at the very least at the managerial level.
In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, especially about the UK’s business environment and the legal prerequisites for visa applications, we recommend that young entrepreneurs seek advice from experienced immigration professionals. For self-sponsoring migrants, Immigration Connection offers a combination of business consulting and immigration guidance. We start with a free consultation to make sure you have the knowledge and resources you need to be successful.
Benefits for Recently Graduated Students
In the UK, self-sponsorship gives you more influence over your professional path. Traditional job contracts don’t have to limit you from pursuing your own goals and ideas. In addition to providing a pathway to settlement, this approach may qualify you for indefinite leave of absence after five years.
When compared to working for someone else, owning your own business may allow you to make more money. As you develop new abilities and networks, it also presents chances for both professional and personal growth.
How to Become Your Own Sponsor
Achieving self-sponsorship requires putting in place a few crucial steps. This is how the procedure is broken down:
Starting a Business in the United Kingdom
- Become a registered business: As long as you are clear about the field of work (Nature of Business/SIC), you can do this at any time. Directors are not need to be citizens or residents of the United Kingdom.
- Select a UK-based representative: In order to set up your Sponsorship Management System, you must select important persons, including a UK-based Authorising Officer, a Level 1 User, and an important Contact. The director can be anyone. A Level 1 User must possess either Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK or be a British Citizen.
- Create the necessary accounts: Open a company bank account in the UK, register with Companies House, and usually register for VAT and PAYE/NI.
Getting an Authorisation
- Show that your firm is a legitimate one. It doesn’t have to be trading right now, but it must be doing business legally in the UK.
- Demonstrate your HR expertise by demonstrating that your company has the systems in place to fulfil sponsor obligations.
- Demonstrate that there is a true need for the position: As your company grows, you can bring on new employees to cover open positions and put yourself forward for a position that fits your experience and expertise.
Fulfilling Requirements for Skilled Worker Visa
Ascertain that the position satisfies the necessary skill level (often RQF Level 3 or higher) and pay limits.
Obtain a Sponsorship Certificate: This must be assigned by your company using the Sponsorship Management System.
- Make a visa application: Fill out the online application available from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for dependant family members as well as yourself.
- Prospects for the Long Run and Settlement Choices
- Way to Indefinite Leave of Absence
If you have a skilled worker visa and have lived and worked in the UK for five years, you could be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). You have unlimited time to live, work, and study in the UK if you have this status. In order to be eligible, you had to:
- Maintain compliance with pay requirements
- Continue to be vital to your position (as verified by your employer).
- Obtain a B1 English Proficiency Test score (if between the ages of 18 and 64).
- Completion of the Life in the UK Test (if between the ages of 18 and 64)
Up to 28 days remain in your 5-year qualifying period before you must submit an application.
Possibility of Naturalisation to British Citizenship
After obtaining ILR, you may want to think about submitting a British citizenship application. This confers other rights and benefits, such as the capacity to vote and possess a British passport.
Professional Development and Business Growth
Along with allowing you to work, your skilled worker visa opens up investing opportunities. You can investigate choices like:
- Investment in real estate
- Initial capital
- Participation in the stock market
- Commercial alliances
These prospects have the potential to further both your professional and financial development.
Taking Adjacent Actions
Through self-sponsorship, one can move from a Graduate Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa, which can lead to permanent career promotion, permanent residency in the UK, and even British citizenship. Although there are obstacles in the way, the procedure gives you the flexibility to go after your own goals, which could boost your earning potential and present chances for both professional and personal development.
Because the self-sponsorship method has many facets and the Home Office UK Visas and Immigration has produced a lot of material to control hiring immigrants, it may be difficult for newcomers to the UK market to understand and carry out all the essential procedures without incident.
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