What Documents Do You Need for a Graduate Route Visa?

The Graduate Route Visa is a fantastic chance for international students who’ve finished their studies in the UK to stay and work, giving them a shot at building a career in a vibrant job market. This visa lets graduates work or look for jobs without needing a company to sponsor them, which makes it super flexible. However, to apply for the Graduate Route Visa, you need to gather the right paperwork to show that you qualify. Places like Student Circus, a helpful UK website for international students, offer great tips to make this process easier. In this article, we’ll go over the documents you need for a Graduate Route Visa in a clear, friendly way, keeping things simple and based on the latest UK rules. Our goal is to help you feel ready and confident as you take this exciting step.

What Is the Graduate Route Visa?

The Graduate Route Visa, which started in July 2021, lets international students who’ve earned a UK bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD stay in the UK for two years (or three years for PhD grads) to work or search for a job. You don’t need a job offer or a company to back you, which is awesome because it gives you freedom to explore different paths. The key to getting this visa is having the right documents to prove who you are and that you’ve finished your studies.

Student Circus is a go-to resource that helps students figure out these steps. They stress that getting your documents in order early can save you stress and help your application go smoothly. The UK’s immigration system checks everything carefully, so having all the right papers is super important for a Graduate Route Visa.

Documents You’ll Need

To apply for the Graduate Route Visa, you need specific documents to show your identity, your education, and your current status in the UK. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’ll need, based on official UK rules and advice from Student Circus.

Your Passport or Travel ID

Your passport or travel ID is the main document that shows who you are and where you’re from. It needs to be valid for the whole time you plan to stay in the UK. If your passport is about to expire, it’s a good idea to renew it before you apply to avoid any hiccups.

Student Circus suggests making sure your passport has at least one empty page for visa stuff. If you’re from a country that uses a national ID card instead of a passport, double-check with the UK’s visa office to see if it’s okay to use.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa Code

If you’re in the UK on a Student Visa (or the older Tier 4 Visa), you probably have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. This card shows your legal status in the UK, and you’ll need it for your Graduate Route Visa application. The BRP is good for 18 months after the date printed on it, so it should still be valid when you apply.

If you have an eVisa (an online version of your immigration status), you’ll need to get a share code from your UK visa account to prove your status. Student Circus recommends checking your online account early to make sure you can get this code without any tech problems. It’s a key step to show you’re legally in the UK.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Number

When you got your Student Visa, your school gave you a unique code called the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This number connects your visa to the course you just finished, like a bachelor’s or master’s degree. You’ll need to put this CAS number in your Graduate Route Visa application to show what you studied.

If you can’t find your CAS number, Student Circus says to reach out to your university’s international student office. Most schools, especially those linked with Student Circus, can find it for you quickly. The CAS also proves that your school told the UK government you passed your course, which is a big part of qualifying.

Proof You Finished Your Course

You don’t usually have to send in your degree certificate or grades, but your school needs to tell the UK government that you’ve successfully finished your course. This usually happens after you get your final results, but before your graduation day. Student Circus suggests checking with your university to make sure they’ve sent this info, because applying too early could slow things down.

Sometimes, the UK visa office might ask for extra proof, like your transcript or a letter from your school, if something’s unclear. It’s smart to have these ready just in case.

Sponsor Consent Letter (If Needed)

If a government or scholarship program (like Chevening) paid for all your school fees and living costs in the last year, you’ll need a letter from them saying it’s okay for you to apply for the Graduate Route Visa. This shows they’re fine with you staying in the UK under this visa.

Student Circus points out that this only applies to full scholarships, not partial ones. If you’re not sure, talk to your scholarship group or school to see if you need this letter.

Documents for Family (If They’re Joining)

If your partner or kids want to stay with you as dependants on your Graduate Route Visa, they’ll need their own documents, like:

• Their passports or travel IDs.

• Proof of your relationship, like a marriage certificate for your partner or birth certificates for kids.

• Proof they’re already in the UK as your dependants on your Student Visa.

Student Circus notes that dependants have to already be in the UK with you, or for kids, born here while you were on a Student Visa. Each person needs their own application and fee, so keep that in mind.

Biometric Info

You’ll need to give your fingerprints and a photo for the application. You can do this by:

• Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your passport or BRP.

• Going to a visa service center in person.

Student Circus says the app is usually easier, but if you need to go to a center, book your spot early to avoid waiting. The UK visa office will tell you what to do when you start your application.

Extra Things to Know

You have to apply for the Graduate Route Visa while you’re in the UK, before your Student Visa runs out. You can’t leave the UK, Ireland, or nearby islands until you get a decision, or your application will be canceled. Student Circus suggests planning your travel carefully and applying as soon as your school confirms you passed.

The application costs £880, plus a health fee of £1,035 per year, so about £2,950 for two years or £3,985 for three years. It usually takes eight weeks to hear back, but it might take longer if they need more documents.

Doing Things Right

Applying for the Graduate Route Visa can feel like a lot, but tools like Student Circus make it simpler with clear advice and job-hunting help. They encourage you to start early, check your documents, and ask your school for support if you’re stuck. The UK’s online visa system is handy but needs you to be careful, like making sure your passport is linked correctly.

The process is fair and respects international students, letting them stay and add to the UK’s workforce. Student Circus supports this by helping students find opportunities and apply with confidence.

Conclusion

The Graduate Route Visa is a great way for international graduates to stay in the UK, work, and grow their careers, but you need the right documents to make it happen. From your passport and BRP to your CAS number and school’s confirmation, each piece matters. With help from places like Student Circus, you can get organized and feel good about applying. By following the UK’s rules and preparing well, you can turn your UK degree into a stepping stone for an exciting future. This process, with the right support, is your chance to shine in a new chapter.