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June
UK Visa 1234 Views 5 Comments

# UK Post-Study Work Visa Changes 2023: What African Students Need to Know

The UK government has announced important updates to the Graduate Route visa that will affect international students planning to study in the UK. These changes present both opportunities and challenges for African students considering UK education.

### What is the Graduate Route Visa?

The Graduate Route allows international students to stay in the UK to work or look for work after completing their studies. Under this scheme:

- Bachelor's and master's graduates can stay for 2 years
- PhD graduates can stay for 3 years
- No job offer or sponsorship is required
- Students can switch to skilled work visas if they find eligible jobs

### Key Changes in 2023

The UK government has introduced several updates to the Graduate Route that African students should be aware of:

#### 1. Expanded Eligibility

From January 2023, students who began their studies in autumn 2020 or later will be eligible, even if they spent some time studying remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions. This is particularly beneficial for students who started their programs online.

#### 2. Earlier Application Timing

Students can now apply for the Graduate Route as soon as they receive their final results, rather than waiting until their visa expires. This provides more time to secure employment.

> "The new changes make the UK more attractive for African students looking to gain international work experience after their studies," says David Kalule, our UK education expert.

#### 3. New Work Restrictions

While the Graduate Route remains flexible, there are now some restrictions:

- Cannot work as professional sportspersons
- Must meet minimum salary requirements for certain skilled jobs

### How This Affects African Students

These changes present several advantages for Ugandan and other African students:

##### Opportunities

- More time to find suitable employment
- Easier transition to skilled worker visas
- Increased work experience before returning home

##### Challenges

- Higher competition for jobs
- Need to meet salary thresholds for some roles
- Limited time to secure long-term employment

### Our Recommendations

Based on these changes, we advise African students considering UK education to:

1. Start job hunting before graduation through university career services
2. Focus on developing skills in high-demand sectors like technology and healthcare
3. Network with professionals in their field through university events
4. Consider regional opportunities outside London where competition may be lower

#### Pro Tip

Many UK universities now offer dedicated career support for international students. Take full advantage of these services from your first year to maximize your post-study opportunities.

The UK remains an excellent destination for African students seeking quality education with post-study work opportunities. These changes make the Graduate Route more accessible while ensuring students are well-prepared for the UK job market.

Tags: UK Visa Work Study Abroad Graduate

##### About the Author

David Kalule is our UK & US Education Expert with over 8 years of experience helping African students secure admissions and visas for top universities. He specializes in post-study work opportunities and career planning.

#### 5 Comments

###### Sarah N. June 18, 2023

This is very helpful information! I'm considering applying to UK universities next year and the work opportunities after graduation are very important to me.

Reply

###### James K. June 20, 2023

Does this apply to students who will complete their studies in 2024? I'm currently in my second year at University of Manchester.

Reply

###### David Kalule (Author) June 20, 2023

Yes James, these changes will still be in effect in 2024. The Graduate Route is now a permanent part of the UK immigration system.

Reply

###### Rebecca M. June 22, 2023

Thank you for this detailed explanation. It's good to know we can apply as soon as we get results rather than waiting.

Reply

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