Effective October 1, 2013, the new UK immigration policy has officially come into effect. The new regulations have relaxed admission requirements for skilled worker visas and temporary work visas to varying degrees. Additionally, a new Graduate Entrepreneur visa has been introduced.
No Cap on Skilled Worker Visas
For students studying in the UK, the ability to remain in the country for work is a dream. Starting this year, recent graduates who have been awarded a bachelor's degree or higher, or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, by a recognized UK body can apply for a skilled worker visa. Under this visa category, as long as the applicant receives a job offer from a sponsor recognized by the UK Border Agency before the visa expires, is employed in a skilled role, and meets the minimum annual salary requirement of £20,000 (which varies by job category), the UK government will approve the applicant to work in the UK for three years, with the option to extend. The previous requirement was an annual salary of £28,000; the new regulation has directly reduced this by £8,000. The number of applicants for this visa has changed from a capped quota to an uncapped status.
Temporary Visas Allow Internships in the UK
Although the requirements for skilled worker visas have been lowered, not every student studying in the UK can find a job before graduation. For these students, they may apply for the temporary work visa established by the UK government.
It is understood that the conditions for the temporary work visa are: graduates may apply for a temporary work visa, but they must first leave the UK and apply for this visa from overseas. At the same time, the applicant must also prove that they have work experience in their home country or provide a detailed career plan.
However, if the applicant is engaged in postgraduate training or work related to their degree, they may choose to switch to a "Government Authorized Exchange" visa while in the UK. Applicants for the temporary work visa must obtain a job offer from a sponsor recognized by the UK Border Agency and pass a points-based assessment. Previously, temporary work visas generally did not allow students to undertake internships in the UK; they were only permitted to study.
Graduates Can Apply for Entrepreneur Visas
For Chinese students wishing to start a business in the UK, the UK government has specifically added a Graduate Entrepreneur visa.
This visa category is designed for students who wish to develop entrepreneurial skills and start a business in the UK. As long as the applicant has obtained a bachelor's degree from a UK higher education institution participating in this visa scheme and has received sponsorship from that institution, they may apply. Initial applicants can receive a 12-month visa, and if the sponsoring institution is willing to continue sponsorship, the applicant's visa can be extended for another 12 months.
Considering that the duration of the Graduate Entrepreneur visa is limited, the UK government stipulates that any applicant holding a 1-year renewable Graduate Entrepreneur visa may upgrade their visa to a 3-year skilled worker visa after submitting the relevant documents required by the immigration authorities. Furthermore, once upgraded to a skilled worker visa, entrepreneurs can extend their visa duration indefinitely in 3-year increments.