UK Visa Routes for University Graduates (Comparison Guide)

If you are a university graduate and would like the opportunity to work in the UK, the UK Graduate Visa or the High Potential Individual Visa offers university graduates the opportunity to work in the UK without sponsorship. In this blog post, we summarise the key differences and requirements for each route.

Questions	UK Graduate Visa	High Potential Individual Visa
Who can apply for this visa?	International students who have completed a UK degree, or other eligible courses.	You have, in the last 5 years, been awarded an overseas degree-level academic qualification from an institution which appears on the Global Universities List.
Do you need to hold a UK Student Visa?	Yes, you must hold a UK student visa and you must apply before the expiry of your visa.	No.
Do you need sponsorship?	The Graduate Visa Route is an unsponsored route, meaning that applicants do not need a job offer or a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to be eligible.	The High Potential Individual Route is unsponsored, meaning that applicants do not need a job offer or a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) in order to be eligible.
Can you work in the UK?	Yes, you will be able to work or look for work with any employer. You can be self-employed, but you will not be able to work as a professional sportsperson or Doctor/Dentist in training.	Yes, you will be able to work or look for work with any employer. You can be self-employed, but you will not be able to work as a professional sportsperson or Doctor/Dentist in training.
How long can you stay in the UK as a graduate?	If your application for the Graduate Visa is successful, you will be able to stay in the UK for 2 years if you have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Doctoral students can stay in the UK for 3 years.	If your application for a High Potential Visa is approved, you will be able to stay in the UK for 2 years if you have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Doctoral students can stay in the UK for 3 years.
Does this visa lead to settlement?	The Graduate Visa does not lead to settlement, however, you can switch to an alternative immigration route which does lead to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker route or the Innovator Founder route.	The High Potential Individual Visa does not lead to settlement, however, you can switch to an alternative immigration route which does lead to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker route or the Innovator Founder route.
Can you bring your partner and/or children to join you?	Graduate Visa holders can be joined by a dependent partner and dependent children under the age of 18.	High Potential Individual Visa holders can be joined by a dependent partner and dependent children under the age of 18.
Can you make an in-country application?	You can make your application for the Graduate Visa from inside the UK because you will be required to hold a valid Student Visa to be eligible for this route.	You cannot make an in-country application or switch to the High Potential Individual Visa if you have permission in the UK as a visitor, short-term student, parent of a child student visa, seasonal worker, domestic worker, on immigration bail or you have been given permission to stay outside the immigration rules.
Is there an English language requirement?	No, however, you must have successfully completed a UK degree or other eligible course.	Unless an exemption applies, you must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) of at least level B1.
Is there a financial requirement?	The nature of the ‘study in the UK requirements’ for the Graduate Visa means that the majority of the applicants will be making an in-country application and would have been in the UK for at least 12 months before the date of the application. Therefore, there is no financial requirement for the main applicant.	If you are applying for entry clearance, or are applying for permission to stay and have been in the UK for less than 12 months at the date of application, you must have funds of at least £1,270.
Is there a deadline to apply for this visa?	You must apply for the Graduate Visa once you have successfully completed your UK degree or eligible course and before the expiry of your Student Visa.	You must apply for the High Potential Individual Visa within 5 years of receiving an overseas degree level academic qualification from an institution which appears on the Global Universities List.
Can you extend your visa?	The Graduate Visa cannot be extended, however, you may be able to apply to switch to an alternative immigration route before the expiry of your visa.	The High Potential Individual Visa cannot be extended, however, you may be able to apply to switch to an alternative immigration route before the expiry of your visa.

How can Saracens help you?

Saracens Solicitors’ immigration team has been advising individuals on all aspects of UK immigration law for over 18 years. We have established a market-leading reputation for delivering exceptional client services and guide you through the complexity of the immigration rules to ensure that you make a successful application.