Experiencing the UK Skilled Worker visa: Taiwan, postgraduate diploma or certificate

Date:May 2023

Topic(s): Graduate route, Recruitment, Student employability, Transition

Type(s): AGCAS Case study

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), a member of UKCISA’s International Student Employability Group (ISEG), has captured the experiences of international graduates seeking employment in the UK after graduation in a series of case studies.

Who are you?

Name	Anonymous
Nationality / country of origin	Taiwan
Current visa	Skilled Worker
Are your expectations of your Graduate route visa being met?	Undecided
University, level of study and programme of study	University in north-east England Postgraduate diploma or certificate History and archaeology
How many roles have you applied for since leaving university?	Over 50
Current activity	Employed – full time (permanent contract)

Where do you work?

Job title	Client Relationship Manager
Employer / organisation	Real estate agency
Region of your contracted place of work	London
Briefly describe your role and your main responsibilities	No response
Time between the end of your course and start date for your current role	Less than 3 months
How did you find your current job?	Through a general recruitment website (eg. Indeed, Totaljobs)

Thoughts on your visa

Having to be tied down to one employer for the extent of your Skilled Worker visa is an archaic concept and limits your career progression within the UK.

The application process was straightforward and easy with the help of a solicitor appointed by my employer. The fees were very expensive. I had to sign a clawback agreement with my employer agreeing that should I be dismissed or willingly leave my employment anytime earlier before my Skilled Worker visa expired, I will have to pay back the visa application fee.

“Being tied down to one employer for the extent of your Skilled Worker visa limits your career progression within the UK.”

Support and development

I received CV feedback from my university careers service.

Employer knowledge and attitudes

My impression is that employers have limited visa knowledge and wouldn’t employ you for a permanent role upon realising you’re only holding a two year visa. They are reluctant to even give you an interview.