Now is a good time to study in the UK especially if you dream of working and living abroad.

International students who start their studies in the UK in 2020 or after will benefit from the new post-study work visa (PSW) for graduates.

This usually means a work and residence permit of 24 months (2 years) after graduation.

However to qualify to live and work permanently you will need to go further by switching to the Tier 2 General visa. And this is easy if you have studied an occupation on the Shortage Occupation List

What is the Shortage Occupation List?

The Shortage Occupation List sets out jobs in short supply in the UK at large and Scotland specifically.  These jobs can be filled by migrants under the Tier 2 route more easily than others.

How does it make a difference?

For employers, there are a number of advantages of creating jobs on the shortage occupation list – they are intended to be easier to fill.

Download the Shortage Occupation List below-

Shortage occupation list United Kingdom – Download

The advantages include:

• Foremost, not having to conduct a Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT). The RLMT can be a time-consuming and burdensome procedure so it a great benefit to sponsors not to have to run this;
• Lower visa fees are a benefit for migrants;
• Priority allocation of CoS;
• An exemption from the minimum income threshold for settlement (ILR) applications;

What is on the list?
A variety of roles under the broad headings of Science and Engineering; IT, Medicine, Services, Creative Sector and Trade.

Shortage occupation list United Kingdom – Download

You can settle permanently in the UK after being in the Tier 2 General category for five years, and if you have been in the UK in certain other immigration categories (e.g Tier 4 study visa) you may be able to combine the time spent to count towards settlement. This means that after your 1-year master’s program plus the 2-year post-study work visa, you would have stayed in the UK for a combined period of 3 years, this means that you only have to be on Tier 2 general visa for 2 years after which you can qualify for the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Indefinite Leave to Remain,  or ‘settled status, lets someone live in the UK free from visa restrictions. This means more freedom of work, study, housing, and travel. If you intend to become a British citizen, Indefinite Leave to Remain status is a necessary step.

Does it matter for the PSW visa which university I graduate from?

Generally, graduates from all UK universities are eligible for a post-study work visa. The condition is that the British government recognizes it as a trusted institution, also called a ‘licensed sponsor’.

However, this list is not set in stone, and it can be changed if a university fails to keep its “proven track record’ on upholding immigration and visa checks. So if you are planning to study in the UK, it pays off to double-check whether your university is confirmed on this list.

How Can Value Offshore Education (VOE) Help You Apply?

The Counselors at VOE are experienced in helping students apply for the appropriate course of study that puts them on the pathway to the post-study work visa (PSW) and eventually permanent residency. We will assess your documents and ensure you meet all the criteria.  We have accredited Representatives of recognized Universities in the UK and we provide our services FREE OF CHARGE.

We will complete all visa application forms and help collate your documents; we also conduct mock interviews to help you prepare for your visa interview appropriately.

Contact us today at 08063674714 or make an inquiry online to start your application.