Government is urged to bring back Post-Study Work visa (Asian Voice) (18 September 2018)

Tamana Aziz has written for Asian Voice on the Tier 1 Post-Study Work visa which previously allowed international graduates to stay in the UK for up to a year after they graduate in order to obtain UK work experience. Since this visa was discontinued in 2012, international graduates now have to apply for the (General) Tier 2 visa, which has stricter requirements; not least, employers taking on applicants of this visa type will have to have a Tier 2 sponsor licence. Universities UK urges the government to consider bringing back the Post-Study Work visa to ensure the UK maintains its standing as an international destination for students to come to study, alongside competitors, Australia, the US and Canada. As a solicitor and Director specialising in immigration law, Tamana has a vast practice assisting clients who wish to apply for UK immigration status. She writes: ‘Under this [Tier 2] route, students must find a job with a salary of at least £20,800 with an employer who has a Tier 2 sponsor licence after completing their course, or set up a business with £200,000 investment as an (Tier 1) entrepreneur, which most find difficult to obtain. The only exceptions are PhD graduates who can stay for a year after obtaining their degree.’