ADD ADVICE TO FAVUK employers and work permits
What sort of reaction can you expect from graduate employers if you need a work permit?
Some graduate employers, especially the larger multinational organisations, are very receptive to non-EEA students and will hire the best candidate, irrespective of immigration status.
Others take a different view and say that they don’t take applications from students and graduates who need work permits.
'Things might become a bit easier when graduates are given permission to stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies'
Why do employers differ on this issue?
Some graduate-training schemes are longer than others. Many schemes last 12 months or less; these fit quite well with the International Graduates Scheme (IGS) work permit.
However, there are also longer graduate-training schemes, particularly those with law firms (two years) and accountancy firms (three years). There is no guarantee that graduates on the IGS will convert to a longer-term visa, so these employers are unlikely to risk starting you out on a training scheme which you may not be able to complete.
Things might become a bit easier when graduates are given permission to stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies.
What can I do to get a graduate job in the UK?
To improve your chances of securing a job in the UK after your course, take the following steps:
- seek professional advice as early as you can
- try and get some work experience during your studies
- speak to your careers service about how you can talk to employers about your immigration status.
