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The new Graduate immigration route has opened for applications today (1 July 2021).The Graduate route provides an opportunity for international students who have been awarded their degree to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, at any skill level for two years, or three years for doctoral students.The route is unsponsored, meaning applicants do not need a job offer in order to be eligible. There is no minimum salary requirement nor caps on numbers. Graduates on the route can work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career as required. Whilst the route does not lead to settlement, those on the route will be able to move into another work-based route, such as the Skilled Worker route - which does lead to settlement - once they meet the requirements.Launching the Graduate route shows the government's commitment to attracting talent from around the world and ensuring that international students will continue to choose the UK as the destination to study and build their careers.Applicants must be in the UK when they apply. Those who apply from outside of the UK will be rejected and refused entry to the UK and could lose their eligibility to apply for the Graduate route as a whole.Due to COVID-19 applicants who began their studies in autumn 2020, or spring 2021 will need to be in the UK with permission as a Student, by 27 September 2021. Students beginning their course this autumn or early next year will need to be in the UK by 6 April 2022.For information on this, or any other immigration matter, please contact our immigration specialists at immigration@healys.com.