Immigration Rules
Immigration Rules: Immigration Rules Appendix Graduate
gov.uk change note: Updated to reflect Statement of Changes HC 1333
Headline
This is purely a formatting change that converts the Graduate route appendix from plain text to a structured list format, with no substantive alterations to eligibility criteria, conditions, or requirements.
Changes in detail
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Throughout the document — The entire appendix has been reformatted from plain paragraph text to structured bullet-point lists using markdown formatting. Every requirement, condition, and criterion that was previously in paragraph form now appears as a bulleted or numbered list item, but the actual content remains identical.
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Tables in sections on points requirements and study periods — Table formatting has been converted from plain text to proper table markup with pipe separators (|), but the data within the tables (points allocations, study period requirements) remains unchanged.
Practical implications
None. This is a presentation change only. All eligibility requirements, application processes, validity criteria, suitability tests, conditions of grant, and time limits remain exactly as they were. Practitioners do not need to change their advice or approach to Graduate route applications.
Administrative changes
The entire document has been reformatted from plain text paragraphs to structured lists and proper table formatting. This affects every section but involves no substantive changes to the immigration rules themselves. The conversion appears designed to improve readability and consistency with other Immigration Rules appendices.
Diff
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@ The Graduate route is an unsponsored route. + Individuals who already have permission as a dependant of a Student who is applying on this route can also apply to extend their permission as a dependant on this route; other types of dependants are not permitted on this route. + The Graduate route is not a route to settlement. @@ -11,37 +13,41 @@ ## Validation requirements for a Graduate + GR 1.1. A person applying for permission to stay as a Graduate must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form “Graduate”. - - - -GR 1.2. An application for permission as a Graduate must meet all the following requirements: - - -(a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and - -(b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and - -(c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and - -(d) the applicant must be in the UK. - - - + + +- GR 1.2. An application for permission as a Graduate must meet all the following requirements: + + +- (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and + +- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and + +- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and + +- (d) the applicant must be in the UK. + + + + GR 1.3. The applicant must have, or have last had, permission as a Student. + GR 1.4. The applicant must not have been previously granted permission under the Doctorate Extension Scheme or as a Graduate. + GR 1.5. If the applicant has in the 12 months before the date of application completed a course of studies in the UK for which they have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship by a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, they must provide written consent to the application from that Government or agency. + GR 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a Graduate may be rejected as invalid and not considered. @@ -49,18 +55,18 @@ ## Suitability requirements for a Graduate + GR 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability. - - - -GR 2.2. The applicant must not be: - - -(a) in the UK in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or - -(b) on immigration bail. + + +- GR 2.2. The applicant must not be: + + +- (a) in the UK in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or + +- (b) on immigration bail. @@ -75,23 +81,26 @@ ## Points requirement + GR 3.1. The applicant must be awarded all 70 points in the table below. - Points type - Relevant requirements to be met - Number of points - - - - - Successful course completion - • Successful completion requirement +| + | Points type + | Relevant requirements to be met + | Number of points + + + + +| + | Successful course completion + | • Successful completion requirement • Qualification requirement • Study in the UK requirement - 70 + | 70 @@ -101,12 +110,15 @@ ## Successful completion requirement + GR 4.1. The applicant must have last been sponsored by a Student sponsor which is a higher education provider with a track record of compliance on the date of application. + GR 4.2. The applicant must have successfully completed the course of study which was undertaken during their last grant of permission to study on the Student route (where the applicant was allowed to change their course of study without applying for further permission as a Student, this requirement only applies to the course to which they changed). + GR 4.3. The student sponsor must have notified the Home Office, by the date of application, that the applicant has successfully completed the course of study in GR 4.2. @@ -114,35 +126,37 @@ ## Qualification requirement + GR 5.1. The applicant will meet the qualification requirement if they have successfully completed a course of study for which they have been or will be awarded a UK bachelor’s degree, a UK postgraduate degree, or successfully completed a relevant qualification listed in GR 5.2. - - - -GR 5.2 A relevant qualification is one of the following: - - -(a) a law conversion course validated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in England and Wales; or - -(b) the Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland; or - -(c) the Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland; or - -(d) DELETED - -(e) a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE); or - -(f) a professional course requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above in a profession with reserved activities that is regulated by UK law or UK public authority. - - - + + +- GR 5.2 A relevant qualification is one of the following: + + +- (a) a law conversion course validated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in England and Wales; or + +- (b) the Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland; or + +- (c) the Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland; or + +- (d) DELETED + +- (e) a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE); or + +- (f) a professional course requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above in a profession with reserved activities that is regulated by UK law or UK public authority. + + + + GR 5.3. If the name of the applicant’s course of study was changed by the Student sponsor, but the course content remained the same, or if an integral and assessed work placement or permitted study abroad programme was added, this will not prevent the applicant being able to meet the qualification requirement. + GR 5.4 The qualification must have been gained during the last grant of permission to study as a Student, or in the period of permission immediately before the applicant’s last grant of permission, if the last grant of permission was to undertake a role as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer. @@ -150,40 +164,44 @@ ## Study in the UK requirement + GR 6.1. The applicant must have held permission as a Student, which was granted to study the relevant qualification in the UK, for a minimum period of time (the relevant period), as in the table below. - Total length of course - Relevant period of Student permission granted during which all study took place in the UK (apart from permitted study abroad programmes) - - - - - 12 months or less - Full duration of course - - - Longer than 12 months - At least 12 months - - - - - - - - -GR 6.2. Where distance learning took place overseas between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2022, this will not prevent the applicant meeting the requirement to spend the relevant period at GR 6.1 studying in the UK if either: - - -(a) they began a course of 12 months or less prior to 21 June 2021 and entered the UK on or before 27 September 2021 with permission as a Student; or - -(b) they began a course of 12 months or less between 21 June 2021 and 30 June 2022 and entered the UK on or before 30 June 2022 with permission as a Student. - - - +| + | Total length of course + | Relevant period of Student permission granted during which all study took place in the UK (apart from permitted study abroad programmes) + + + + +| + | 12 months or less + | Full duration of course + + +| + | Longer than 12 months + | At least 12 months + + + + + + + +- GR 6.2. Where distance learning took place overseas between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2022, this will not prevent the applicant meeting the requirement to spend the relevant period at GR 6.1 studying in the UK if either: + + +- (a) they began a course of 12 months or less prior to 21 June 2021 and entered the UK on or before 27 September 2021 with permission as a Student; or + +- (b) they began a course of 12 months or less between 21 June 2021 and 30 June 2022 and entered the UK on or before 30 June 2022 with permission as a Student. + + + + @@ -194,9 +212,11 @@ ## Decision on an application as a Graduate + GR 7.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a Graduate are met the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused. + GR 7.2. If the application is refused, the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review. @@ -204,27 +224,32 @@ ## Period of grant for a Graduate + GR 8.1. The applicant will be granted the period of permission as set out in the table below: - Type of Qualification - Period granted from date of decision - - - - - PhD or other doctoral qualification - 3 years - - - All other qualifications - 2 years if the applicant has successfully completed a course at UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level, or another relevant qualification that meets the requirement of ST8.1/2/3 of the Rules, and the application is made before 1 January 2027. - - - All other qualifications - 18 months if the applicant has successfully completed a course at UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level, or another relevant qualification that meets the requirement of ST8.1/2/3 of the Rules, and the application is made on or after 1 January 2027. +| + | Type of Qualification + | Period granted from date of decision + + + + +| + | PhD or other doctoral qualification + | 3 years + + +| + | All other qualifications + | 2 years if the applicant has successfully completed a course at UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level, or another relevant qualification that meets the requirement of ST8.1/2/3 of the Rules, and the application is made before 1 January 2027. + + +| + | All other qualifications + | 18 months if the applicant has successfully completed a course at UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level, or another relevant qualification that meets the requirement of ST8.1/2/3 of the Rules, and the application is made on or after 1 January 2027. @@ -234,21 +259,20 @@ ## Conditions of grant for a Graduate - - - -GR 8.2. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions: - - -(a) no access to public funds; and - -(b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted, apart from work as a professional sportsperson; and - -(c) study is permitted, except study with an education provider which is a Student sponsor, and which would meet the approved qualification and level of study requirements of the Student route which are set out in Appendix Student; and - -(d) study is subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS. - -(e) DELETED + + +- GR 8.2. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions: + + +- (a) no access to public funds; and + +- (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted, apart from work as a professional sportsperson; and + +- (c) study is permitted, except study with an education provider which is a Student sponsor, and which would meet the approved qualification and level of study requirements of the Student route which are set out in Appendix Student; and + +- (d) study is subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS. + +- (e) DELETED @@ -263,42 +287,41 @@ ## Validity requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate + GR 9.1. A person applying for permission to stay as a partner or child of a Graduate must apply on the specified form on the gov.uk website as follows: - - - -Either (as applicable): - - -Dependant partner - -Dependant child - - - - - - - - - -GR 9.2. An application for permission to stay as a partner or child of a Graduate must meet all the following requirements: - - -(a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and - -(b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and - -(c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and - -(d) the applicant must be applying as partner or child of a person who: + + +- Either (as applicable): + + +- Dependant partner + +- Dependant child + + + + + + + + +- GR 9.2. An application for permission to stay as a partner or child of a Graduate must meet all the following requirements: + + +- (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and + +- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and + +- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and + +- (d) the applicant must be applying as partner or child of a person who: -(i) has made a valid application for permission to stay on the Graduate route that has not been decided; or +- (i) has made a valid application for permission to stay on the Graduate route that has not been decided; or -(ii) has permission to stay on the Graduate route. +- (ii) has permission to stay on the Graduate route. @@ -307,26 +330,28 @@ + GR 9.3. If the applicant has in the 12 months before the date of application completed a course of studies in the UK for which they have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship by a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, they must provide written consent to the application from that Government or agency. + GR 9.4. The applicant must be in the UK on the date of application. - - - -GR 9.4A. The applicant must meet one of the following requirements: - - -(a) they must have, or have last been granted, permission as a dependent partner of a Student and that Student is applying for, or has now been granted, permission to stay in the Graduate route; or - -(b) they must have, or have last been granted, permission as a dependent child of either a Student or dependent partner of the Student and that Student is applying for, or has now been granted, permission to stay in the Graduate route; or - -(c) they must be a child born in the UK during the last grant of Student permission of a Student and that Student is applying for, or has now been granted, permission to stay in the Graduate route. - - - + + +- GR 9.4A. The applicant must meet one of the following requirements: + + +- (a) they must have, or have last been granted, permission as a dependent partner of a Student and that Student is applying for, or has now been granted, permission to stay in the Graduate route; or + +- (b) they must have, or have last been granted, permission as a dependent child of either a Student or dependent partner of the Student and that Student is applying for, or has now been granted, permission to stay in the Graduate route; or + +- (c) they must be a child born in the UK during the last grant of Student permission of a Student and that Student is applying for, or has now been granted, permission to stay in the Graduate route. + + + + @@ -337,18 +362,18 @@ ## Suitability requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate + GR 10.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability. - - - -GR 10.2. The applicant must not be: - - -(a) in the UK in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or - -(b) on immigration bail. + + +- GR 10.2. The applicant must not be: + + +- (a) in the UK in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or + +- (b) on immigration bail. @@ -363,24 +388,25 @@ ## Relationship requirement for dependent partner of a Graduate - - - -GR 11.1. The applicant must be the partner of a Person (P) where one of the following applies: - - -(a) P has permission to stay on the Graduate route; or - -(b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) permission to stay on the Graduate route. - - - + + +- GR 11.1. The applicant must be the partner of a Person (P) where one of the following applies: + + +- (a) P has permission to stay on the Graduate route; or + +- (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) permission to stay on the Graduate route. + + + + GR 11.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met. + GR 11.3. DELETED @@ -388,12 +414,15 @@ ## Relationship requirement for dependent child of a Graduate + GR 12.1. DELETED. + GR 12.2. DELETED + GR 12.3. DELETED. @@ -401,6 +430,7 @@ ## Care requirement for dependent child of a Graduate + GR 13.1. DELETED. @@ -408,9 +438,11 @@ ## Age requirement for a dependent child of a Graduate + GR 14.1. DELETED. + GR 14.2. DELETED. @@ -418,17 +450,16 @@ ## Requirements for a dependent child of a Graduate - - - -GR 14A.1. The applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children: - - -(a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and - -(b) care requirement; and - -(c) age and independent life requirement. + + +- GR 14A.1. The applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children: + + +- (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and + +- (b) care requirement; and + +- (c) age and independent life requirement. @@ -439,11 +470,11 @@ ## Decision on an application as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate - - - -GR 15.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate are met, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused. - + + +- GR 15.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate are met, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused. + + @@ -454,9 +485,11 @@ ## Period of grant for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate + GR 16.1. A dependent partner will be granted permission which ends on the same date as the Graduate partner’s permission. + GR 16.2. A dependent child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first. @@ -464,16 +497,15 @@ ## Conditions of grant for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate - - - -GR 16.3. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions: - - -(a) no access to public funds; and - -(b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted except as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and - -(c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS (if the study will commence when the person is aged over 18). - -(d) DELETED + + +- GR 16.3. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions: + + +- (a) no access to public funds; and + +- (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted except as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and + +- (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS (if the study will commence when the person is aged over 18). + +- (d) DELETED