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?
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Name
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Ahmad Asad
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Nationality / country of origin
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Pakistan
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Current visa
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Graduate route
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Are your expectations of your Graduate route visa being met?
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Undecided
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University, level of study and programme of study
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Exeter University
Higher degree, mainly by taught course (eg MA, MSc, MBA)
Business and management
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How many roles have you applied for since leaving university?
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Over 50
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Current activity
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Unemployed
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Thoughts on your visa
“If you don’t get the job within a month, the process feels very frustrating as you are being rejected because you are not local and are on a temporary visa.”
I thought a Graduate route visa would open the doors of employment for me, but it hasn’t. Most of the responses I get after applying for a job and getting an interview are, ‘as you are on a Graduate visa, you will not be able to work after our training program of 12-24 months as we are not going to sponsor in future. If you do have any other way of getting a visa along with this job, then we can consider you.’
The process of applying for a Graduate route visa is straightforward as you can do it from home, and there is no need to go to any centre. The application takes 30-60 minutes on average. It’s really good to see how UKVI verifies, and you don’t have to provide a long list of documents. Secondly, the process is also very smooth; you get the response on your application within a week, and you receive a biometric residence permit (BRP) a week after the response.
The cost is expensive as we students pay a lot of fees in terms of tuition and living costs already and then we have to pay extra for the Graduate visa, including the international health surcharge.
After this, if you don’t get a job within a month, the process feels very frustrating as you are being rejected because you are not local and are on a temporary visa.
Support and development
While at university, I had a one-to-one appointment with a careers adviser, received CV feedback, attended an employer event and gained access to job vacancy listings.
I need experience in the UK market which will introduce me to the industry. I believe that entering into the industry is the most challenging part of the career progression.
Employer knowledge and attitudes
They don't have much information and are not in the mood to support.
What advice would you give to current international students seeking graduate employment in the UK?
Start applying for jobs five months before you graduate.
