International Graduates Scheme

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The International Graduates Scheme (IGS) is a UK immigration scheme which was launched on 1 May 2007. It allows non-EEA nationals who successfully complete a relevant UK degree or postgraduate qualification to work in the UK for 12 months without needing a Work Permit. The principle of the scheme is to retain skilled and educated graduates as part of the UK labour force, who will switch into a longer-term work scheme such as the Work Permit scheme or Tier 1 (General), formerly the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.

Contents

[edit] History

The Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS) launched in October 2004, allowing graduates with a UK degree in certain subject areas to work in the UK after graduation for twelve months[1].

On 1 May 2006, SEGS was expanded to include all postgraduate courses in any subject area that started after that date.[2].

IGS replaced SEGS from 1 May 2007. However, applicants who had successfully completed their course before 1 May 2007 could still qualify under the old SEGS rules if they had successfully completed the relevant course in the last 12 months.

[edit] Eligibility and applications

To be eligible to work in the UK under the IGS, applicants must show:

  • that they have successfully completed a relevant course in the last 12 months; and
  • that they intend to seek and take work in the UK; and
  • that they will be able to support themselves through work and/or sponsorship, and a "cash reserve" (amount unspecified), without claiming public funds[3].

Someone who meets these conditions and who is present in the UK with valid student permission can switch into the IGS in the UK, applying on the form FLR(IGS)with a postal application fee of £395. The "Premium" (same-day, in-person) service, with an application fee of £550, was discontinued on 2 June 2008[4], although as of 6 June 2008 the UKBA website stills offers the service for applicants[5].

Students who have returned to their home country, or those who have an immigration status other than student, can apply for IGS Entry Clearance at the British Embassy or High Commission in the country where they live using the form VAF2, which has an application fee of £200.

[edit] Tier 1 (Post Study Work)

The IGS and the similar Fresh Talent - Working in Scotland Scheme will be replaced on 30 June 2008[6]by a new 2-year scheme, Tier 1 (Post Study Work), as part of the UK's roll out of a points-based immigration system. The UK Border Agency describes Tier 1 (Post Study Work) as "a bridge to highly skilled or skilled work. People with Post Study Work leave will be expected to switch into another part of the points system as soon as they are able to do so".[7].

Those who already have IGS permission when Post Study Work launches will be able to switch into the new scheme if they wish, for a combined leave under both schemes of a maximum of two years[8].

In most aspects, Post Study Work will be very similar to the schemes it replaces. However, the published points allocations and rules for the scheme have revealed some key differences:

  • Applicants must have obtained their qualification with the immigration status of student or dependant. Those who obtained their qualification with another status, for example Working Holidaymaker or Work Permit holder, or who completed their studies outside the UK, will not be eligible.
  • The "cash reserve" required from IGS and FTWiSS applications to cover initial basic living costs has always been unspecified and flexible, and hence it allowed for applicants with very different costs of living to meet the eligibility criteria. Under Post Study Work, an amount for the cash reserve has been specified. Those switching in the UK from student to Post Study Work will need to show a cash reserve of at least £800; those applying for entry clearance in their home country will need to show at least £2800.[9]
  • The application fee to extend leave in the UK under Post Study Work is expected to increase to £400 (from £395 for IGS). Entry clearance applications for the scheme at a British Embassy or High Commission are expected to increase to £205 (£200 for IGS)[10].
  • The deadline for applying will continue to be 12 months after successfully completing the course. Under IGS and FTWiSS, this date can be defined several different ways, most generously as the end date of the student leave issued for the relevant course, which is normally 4 months after the formal end date of the course. Under Post Study Work, the relevant date is defined as the actual date when formal notification of the result was received.

[edit] References

  1. ^ New International Graduates Scheme introduced in Britain
  2. ^ http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1188493349648
  3. ^ UK Border Agency | Part 5 - Persons seeking to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for employment
  4. ^ confirmed with telephone call to UK Border Agency Public Enquiry Line (0870 606 7766), 6 June 2008
  5. ^ http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/contact/applyinginperson/peoservices/
  6. ^ http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/statementsofchanges/2008/hc607.pdf?view=Binary
  7. ^ http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/pbsdocs/statementofintent/highlyskilledunderpbs.pdf?view=Binary
  8. ^ Transitional arrangements for migrants on the International Graduates Scheme and the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme. UK Border Agency. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  9. ^ Highly skilled migrants under the points-based system: Statement of intent. Border & Immigration Agency. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  10. ^ http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/draft/pdf/ukdsi_9780110814582_en.pdf


[edit] See also

Immigration to the United Kingdom

[edit] External links