Rabera wrote: ↑Fri Mar 25, 2022 2:11 pm
Or does one visa offer a larger level of advantages?
As previous poster said, depends what you call an advantage, and how important it is to you. If you ask me, I would say, grosso modo the main pros and cons of both route are:
Graduate Visa:
Pros:
1. No sponsorship necessary, which means usually highest likelihood of getting hired due to less hoops for the company to have to jump to hire you. You will usually be a more attractive candidate if you do not need sponsorship. Sad, but true. However, some companies don't see this as a barrier, and are open to sponsor the right candidate, hence why this is highly dependent on the individual's profile and industry. Usually the case in industries where talent is extremely scarce (big tech, cybersecurity, etc.).
2. You can change jobs with no issue! Very undervalued pro as opposed to a sponsored visa. The sponsorship is a double edge knife!
Cons:
1. Graduate Visa years do not count towards settlement. If you intend to settle in the UK, you usually need to complete 5 years in the UK under the 5-year work route OR 10 years in the long residence route. Time spent with a Graduate Visa only counts towards the 10 year route which means... it would take you at least 7 years to settle if you change to a Skilled Worker Route and stay there for 5 years after the 2 years on the Graduate Route. If you do not switch to a Skilled Worker route, but switch instead to other categories (student again, or dependent relative, etc.), then it would take you 10 years to settle.
Skilled Worker
Pros:
1. Counts toward settlement. As explained above, you will qualify faster than if you go for the Graduate Visa first.
Cons:
1. You can't just apply for it. You first have to get a job with a company that sponsors you. That is the hardest bit of all. Not impossible, but hard. Really hard. Many companies refuse to interview candidates who need sponsorship straight away. Again, as I said, some companies are open to sponsor new employees, and again this depends on the industry and your profile, so this might or might not be feasible for you.
2. Even if you do get sponsored, you will be very likely trapped in your job/company for 5 years. This might or might not be a problem for you; but does mean your career can take a hit because for 5 years you might not necessarily be free to make the professional moves you want to do. Do not underestimate this con, because it is a big gone.
I see myself having two options:
1. Cram and finish my dissertation in the next 5-6 weeks (way ahead of submission date and also subject to what my business school permits) so I am able to show completion of degree and apply for grad Route while I’m in the country
I suggest double checking if this is an option at all. Universities have established calendars and deadlines, and the fact that you submit early does not necessarily mean they will get your results early. It might not be a possibility at all.
2. Leave the UK by 4 June 2022. Submit Dissertation at original deadline (30 June 2022) and then apply for Skilled Worker Visa
Again, you can't just apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. You have to have a job offer in your pocket first.
My main question is, am I doing myself a disservice by not doing everything possible to make myself eligible le for the Grad Visa Application Route? Or is the Skilled Worker Visa just as viable if an option?
By simple logic, the best call is to try and get the Graduate Visa; having two options is better than having just one. And again, the Skilled Worker Visa might not be feasible at all if the job market conditions in your industry is no tup for it.
My posts express what I believe are the facts, based on the best of my knowledge, about the topics discussed in this forum. They do not constitute immigration advice.
