PSW Visa Full Form- Post-Study Work Visa

What is PSW? The full form of a PSW visa is a Post-Study Work Visa. "Post-Study Work" visas are known as PSW visas. The Graduate Route is the official name for the PSW visa for the UK.

International graduates can apply for a PSW visa via the graduate route, which allows them to remain in the UK for a set amount of time—two or three years, depending on their degree program—after finishing their studies.

Compared to other immigration pathways, the PSW visa offers graduates a simpler means of obtaining legal residency in the UK upon graduation. Employers can hire recent graduates with this visa without having to meet the financial requirements or comply with regulatory requirements associated with employment sponsorship.

The PSW visa, also known as the "Graduate Immigration Route," permits international students to remain in the UK for a set period of two years after they have finished their studies in order to work or seek a job once they have completed an undergraduate or master's degree at an approved school. Similarly, after finishing their PhD studies at an accredited university, international students are allowed to remain in the UK for a set three-year period of time to work or search for a job.

Eligibility of a PSW Visa

The student must get 70 points under the points-based immigration system in order to be qualified for a PSW visa. Points are given for finishing an approved course of study in the United Kingdom successfully.

Accordingly, candidates must: 

• Have a valid student visa from a UK higher education institution listed as a registered sponsor "with a track record of compliance" at the time of applying for a PSW visa.
• Having successfully finished their undergraduate or higher degree.
• Have resided in the UK during their academic tenure. The only exceptions to this rule are in cases where the student was required to study from home due to Covid-19-related circumstances or studied abroad as part of a "study abroad" program.
• Not having received the PSW visa in the past.
• Pass background, identification, and security checks.
• Pay the immigration health surcharge and the application cost.

An extra criteria for students studying in the UK on government scholarship is that their home government must have granted permission for them to stay in the country on a PSW visa. The candidate for a PSW visa is not required to fulfill any financial or English language requirements.

In order to stay in the UK, EEA or Swiss students with a valid EU settled or pre-settled status do not need to apply for a PSW visa. To maintain their legal position in the UK, those who are not granted authorization under the EU settlement system may apply for the PSW visa.

In order to qualify, candidates need to have finished a course that grants either:

• Bachelor's degree from the UK.
• Masters' and PhD degrees are among the postgraduate degrees offered in the UK.
• A conversion course leading to the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), approved by the Joint Academic Stage Board in Wales and England.
• The Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in England and Wales, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland.
• The Bar Course in Northern Ireland, or the Bar Practice Course (BPTC) in England and Wales.
• A foundational course in dentistry or medicine.
• An advanced diploma in education (PGDE) or advanced certificate in education (PGCE).
• A professional course is necessary to pursue a career with reserved activity that is governed by UK law or UK public authority at the bachelor's degree level or higher in the UK.

The applicant's Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and degree course must match. Furthermore, confirmation that they fulfill this condition must come from their sponsoring higher education source.