The journey of a Chevening Scholar doesn’t have to end when your scholarship concludes. For many ambitious graduates who’ve completed their master’s degrees in the UK, the desire to gain practical work experience and build a career in Britain is strong. Understanding the pathway from the Graduate Route to a Skilled Worker visa can be the key to extending your UK adventure and launching your professional career.
Understanding the Graduate Route
The Graduate Route, introduced in July 2021, offers international students who have completed eligible degrees in the UK the opportunity to work or look for work without requiring sponsorship. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for two years after completing your degree (three years for PhD graduates).
Key Benefits of the Graduate Route
For Chevening alumni, the Graduate Route presents several advantages. You gain the freedom to work in any sector at any skill level, switch employers without notification, and explore different career paths without the immediate pressure of securing sponsorship. This flexibility is invaluable for testing the waters of the UK job market and identifying roles that align with your long-term career goals.
The visa also allows you to be self-employed or set up your own business, providing entrepreneurial scholars with the chance to launch their ventures. During this period, you’re not tied to a specific employer, giving you leverage in salary negotiations and job selection.
The Transition Challenge: From Graduate Route to Skilled Worker Visa
While the Graduate Route offers breathing room, it’s temporary. Most Chevening Scholars aiming to build long-term careers in the UK will eventually need to transition to a Skilled Worker visa. This transition requires careful planning and strategic career moves.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa and allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. Unlike the Graduate Route, this visa requires sponsorship from a licensed employer and can lead to permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after five years.
Eligibility Requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa
To successfully transition from your Graduate Route to a Skilled Worker visa, you must meet several criteria that differ from your current immigration status.
Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor
Your prospective employer must hold a valid sponsor licence from the UK Home Office. Not all UK employers have this licence, so targeting companies with sponsorship capability is crucial. Many large corporations, universities, NHS trusts, and tech companies maintain sponsor licences, but smaller firms may not.
Salary Threshold
The general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas is £38,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. However, certain exceptions apply. If you’re switching from a Graduate Route visa to a Skilled Worker visa, you may benefit from a reduced threshold of £30,960 if your job is on the Immigration Salary List or if you’re a new entrant (under 26 years old).
Skill Level Requirements
Your job must be at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-level). This includes professional roles such as engineers, teachers, healthcare professionals, IT specialists, and managers. The role must also be listed on the UK’s occupation codes list.
English Language Proficiency
You’ll need to prove your English language ability at CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0). However, as a Chevening Scholar who completed a degree taught in English, you’ll likely automatically meet this requirement.
Strategic Job Hunting for Sponsorship
Finding an employer willing to sponsor your visa requires a targeted approach. Begin your search early during your Graduate Route period to allow time for applications, interviews, and the sponsorship process.
Identifying Sponsor Employers
The UK government maintains a public register of licensed sponsors. This searchable database should be your starting point. Focus your job search on organizations that appear on this list, as they already have the infrastructure and commitment to sponsor international workers.
Many job boards now allow you to filter for positions offering visa sponsorship. LinkedIn, Indeed, and specialist platforms like TechNation for tech roles often include sponsorship filters.
Industries with Strong Sponsorship Records
Certain sectors are more accustomed to sponsoring international talent. Technology companies, particularly in London’s Silicon Roundabout and Manchester’s tech hub, regularly sponsor skilled workers. The healthcare sector, including the NHS and private healthcare providers, actively recruits international professionals. Engineering firms, financial services companies, and universities also have established sponsorship programs.
Networking and the Hidden Job Market
Many sponsored positions never reach public job boards. Attending industry events, joining professional associations, and leveraging your Chevening network can unlock opportunities. Connect with Chevening alumni who successfully transitioned to Skilled Worker visas—their insights and potential referrals are invaluable.
The Application Process: From Offer to Visa
Once you’ve secured a job offer from a licensed sponsor, the formal process begins. Understanding each step helps you prepare thoroughly and avoid delays.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Your employer must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a digital document with a unique reference number. This isn’t a physical certificate but rather an electronic record that contains information about your job and personal details. Your employer typically pays a fee to issue this certificate.
Gathering Required Documents
You’ll need your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, proof of your English language ability, your passport, and evidence of your current Graduate Route visa. If your job is in education or healthcare, you may need additional certificates such as a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or a tuberculosis test.
Financial Requirements
Unlike the Graduate Route, the Skilled Worker visa doesn’t require proof of maintenance funds if you’re already in the UK and have been here for at least 12 months. This exemption applies to most Chevening Scholars transitioning from the Graduate Route.
Application Timeline
Apply online no earlier than three months before your start date and no later than before your Graduate Route visa expires. Processing times typically range from three weeks to several months, depending on complexity. Paying for priority service can expedite decisions.
Cost Considerations
Transitioning to a Skilled Worker visa involves substantial costs. Budget carefully to avoid financial stress during the transition.
Visa Application Fees
The Skilled Worker visa application fee varies by duration and circumstances. For applications inside the UK, expect to pay £827 for up to three years or £1,500 for more than three years. These fees are per person, so family members require separate applications.
Immigration Health Surcharge
You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge upfront for the entire visa duration. The current rate is £1,035 per year, so a three-year visa costs £3,105. This grants you access to the NHS during your stay.
Employer Contributions
Employers also face costs including the Certificate of Sponsorship fee (approximately £239 per certificate) and the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000 per year for large sponsors, £364 per year for small sponsors). Some generous employers cover applicant fees as well, so negotiate this during your job offer discussions.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Many Chevening Scholars encounter obstacles during their transition. Anticipating these challenges and preparing solutions increases your success rate.
Challenge: Limited Time on Graduate Route
With only two years, the pressure to find a sponsoring employer is real. Start your strategic job search at least six months before your Graduate Route expires. Consider interim roles that build your UK work experience even if they don’t immediately lead to sponsorship.
Challenge: Salary Threshold Barriers
Entry-level positions may not meet the £38,700 threshold. Leverage the new entrant discount if you’re under 26, or target roles on the Immigration Salary List that have reduced thresholds. Consider roles in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland where living costs are lower but good opportunities exist.
Challenge: Employer Reluctance to Sponsor
Small companies may be unfamiliar with the sponsorship process or deterred by costs. Be prepared to educate potential employers about the process. Emphasize your value and the return on investment you’ll provide. Consider offering to help coordinate the administrative aspects.
Challenge: Maintaining Legal Status
If your Graduate Route is expiring and you haven’t secured sponsorship, explore alternative visa options. The Global Talent visa, Innovator Founder visa, or even a short-term visa to your home country while continuing UK job applications might be necessary.
Maximizing Your Chances of Success
Strategic planning throughout your Chevening year and Graduate Route period dramatically improves your transition prospects.
Build UK-Specific Skills
Employers value candidates who understand UK workplace culture, regulations, and industry standards. Pursue professional certifications recognized in the UK, attend industry conferences, and seek mentorship from UK professionals in your field.
Document Your Achievements
Maintain a portfolio of projects, publications, and accomplishments during your master’s and Graduate Route employment. Quantifiable achievements strengthen your case to potential sponsors by demonstrating clear value.
Understand Your Worth
Research salary ranges for your profession and experience level using resources like Glassdoor, Payscale, and professional association surveys. Knowing whether roles meet visa thresholds helps you target appropriate positions.
Consider Regional Opportunities
London isn’t the only option. Cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Bristol offer vibrant job markets with potentially less competition and lower salary thresholds relative to living costs.
Alternative Pathways to Consider
While the Skilled Worker visa is the most common route, Chevening Scholars have other options depending on their circumstances and career goals.
Global Talent Visa
Exceptionally talented individuals in science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology, or arts and culture may qualify for this visa without employer sponsorship. This route offers more flexibility but requires strong endorsement from a recognized UK body.
Innovator Founder Visa
Scholars with innovative business ideas supported by an endorsing body can pursue entrepreneurship through this route. It requires a business plan and endorsement but leads to settlement after three years.
Returning with Experience
Some scholars return home to gain significant experience and then return to the UK with senior-level job offers that more easily meet sponsorship requirements. This approach can strengthen your candidacy and negotiating position.
Life After Transitioning: Path to Settlement
Successfully obtaining a Skilled Worker visa opens the door to long-term UK residence. After five continuous years on this visa, you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), granting you permanent residence rights.
Maintaining Your Status
Stay compliant with visa conditions including working for your sponsor, notifying the Home Office of changes, and maintaining continuous residence in the UK. Extended absences or unauthorized employment can jeopardize your status.
Career Progression
Your Skilled Worker visa is tied to your sponsor, but you can change employers if the new employer holds a sponsor licence and issues you a new Certificate of Sponsorship. Many professionals change jobs during their five-year journey to settlement, so you’re not permanently locked to one employer.
Planning for Settlement
Track your time in the UK carefully, as gaps and absences affect settlement eligibility. You cannot be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during your qualifying residence.
The Chevening Advantage
As a Chevening Scholar, you possess unique advantages in securing Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your prestigious scholarship signals academic excellence and leadership potential to employers. The Chevening network includes alumni who’ve successfully navigated this transition and can offer mentorship and connections.
Many employers specifically value Chevening Scholars for their diverse perspectives, academic rigor, and proven ability to adapt to UK culture. Leverage this advantage in your applications and interviews by articulating how your Chevening experience prepared you to contribute meaningfully to UK organizations.
Conclusion
The transition from Chevening Scholar to UK professional via the Graduate Route and Skilled Worker visa is challenging but entirely achievable with strategic planning and persistence. Start early, target sponsors systematically, build your UK professional profile, and leverage your Chevening network.
Your scholarship was an investment in your potential as a future leader. By successfully navigating the UK immigration system and building your career in Britain, you continue to fulfill that promise while gaining invaluable international experience. The pathway may be complex, but thousands of Chevening alumni have walked it successfully—and with the right preparation and mindset, you can too.
The key is to view your Graduate Route period not as a grace period but as a strategic launchpad for your long-term UK career. Every job application, networking event, and skill development activity should align with your ultimate goal of securing sponsorship and building the professional life you envision in the United Kingdom.
