I have loved creating since I was a kid, so it was only natural for me to turn my hobby into a profession. I was very happy when my parents agreed to pay for me to study design at a London university. During my studies, I realised that I wanted to stay in the UK and set up my own business here. I am really grateful that Imperial & Legal’s immigration advisors helped me make my dream come true.
In recent years, the government has reviewed the British immigration policy a few times. For example, the United Kingdom no longer issues the UK Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and has substituted it with two new immigration routes: a UK Innovator visa and a UK Start-up visa.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, one more visa category was introduced – a UK Graduate visa. On this visa, a foreign graduate can extend their stay in the country with a chance to find a job in the UK. The immigration route is popular among foreign students since there are minimal restrictions on it.
Our client from Egypt wanted to get this visa but since she did not know about all the aspects of the visa application, she contacted Imperial & Legal.
Karima is a young woman from Egypt. Her name means “generous, giving” and as we got to know her better, we realised that was true. Karima got a degree in design at one of the British universities. Her interior design projects combine vibrant oriental and English classical elements.
As a student, Karima rented a flat with a young couple with twin girls. They inspired her business idea to design oriental-style electronic games.
Karima’s fellow students and even teachers had always complimented her talent. She had no doubts that her idea would be successful and decided to set up and run a company in the UK to develop electronic games and applications.
To collect the required documents and apply for a UK Graduate visa.
A UK Graduate visa is ideal for almost any foreign student who has just graduated from a British university and wants to prolong their stay in the UK. Depending on your university course, your visa will be valid for two or three years. Most of the applications are approved for a two-year stay in the country.
The main advantage of a UK Graduate visa is freedom. There are almost no restrictions or requirements. For example, you do not have to frantically look for a job before graduation and sign an employment agreement as quickly as possible to get your UK work visa. There are no requirements for a minimum salary or sponsorship. You can change jobs whenever you like. You can go on holiday, take a break, and try yourself in other fields.
Karima liked the opportunities of a UK Graduate visa. She believed that two years would be enough for her to develop her business and get a sponsorship licence to issue UK Skilled Worker visas. If her company gets registered as a sponsor, she would also be able to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa herself.
You do not have to demonstrate your finances to obtain a UK Graduate visa. The costs will include an application fee and related charges as well as a health surcharge. Note that the application fee is not refundable if you get a visa refusal. Therefore, if in doubt, we recommend you contact experts who will fill in your application and prepare all the required documents correctly. Karima contacted Imperial & Legal since she realised that she needed legal assistance.
To obtain a UK Graduate visa, an applicant must stay in the UK on a UK Student visa and prove that they have completed their university course.
Imperial & Legal’s immigration advisors officially requested the confirmation from Karima’s university and got it in several days. The university was in the register of sponsors published on the government website and had a sponsorship licence to enrol foreign students in its programs.
With all the required documents and a confirmation from Karima’s university, Imperial & Legal’s immigration advisors submitted an application for a UK Graduate visa to the Home Office. It was quickly processed and approved.
With her UK Graduate visa, Karima can now develop her business in the UK legally. To help the young woman realise her ambitious plans without any administrative distractions, we offered her full legal and accounting support that includes company registration, opening bank accounts, registration with the HM Revenues & Customs, accounting, reporting, preparation of tax returns, and legal consultations.
Karima was happy with our services which allowed her to get a UK Graduate visa without any complications and set up her UK business. Imperial & Legal sincerely wish her all the best in her career.
We will work with you to find a customised solution for your immigration, second citizenship, business, tax and other needs.
UK Graduate Visa
UK Skilled Worker Visa
Visas to the UK