How to Get PR in UK after Studies?
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As per various estimates, more than 600,000 overseas students were studying in UK universities. Under such circumstances, some of the common questions asked by international students, who wish to stay back in the UK, are is it possible to get PR in UK after study, how to get PR in UK after study, or how many years to get PR in UK?
Studying abroad and then staying back after your studies is not child’s play. The entire process involves a lot of deliberation. Students need to arrange for funds, select the appropriate university, prepare for tests, complete the admission process, look for accommodation, and list of work goes on.
If you are someone who wishes to stay back in the UK for work after their studies then, you must also be thinking - how to get PR in the UK after studying, or after how many years you get PR in the UK? While, it is very much possible to get a PR in the UK after your studies, in this article, we will answer all your questions about getting a PR in the UK after your studies.
Also Read:
- Securing Admission into UK Universities
- Applying for a UK Student Visa
- UK Post Study Work Visa (PSW UK)
- How can I get PR in the UK after Studies?
- How to Get PR in the UK after Study FAQs
Securing Admission into UK Universities
Students, who wish to study in universities in the UK and want to stay back after their studies, need to get admitted to a UK university/ college. Admission criteria vary from course to course and from university to university. Moreover, students who are applying for undergraduate courses need to apply through UCAS. Those who wish to study postgraduate courses in the UK, need to apply to the universities directly. A few postgraduate courses are also available on the UCAS postgraduate. Some of the common requirements for admissions in UK universities include:
- School mark sheets and certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Appropriate degree (as per the academic level)
- English proficiency test scores: IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE Test/ Other
- GMAT/ GRE
- Statement of Purpose
- Reference letters
- Copy of passport and other ID proofs
- CV (if applicable)
- Proof of funds
Make sure that you prepare and file your documents well in advance so as to avoid the last-minute rush. Moreover, take care of the admission timeline.
Applying for a UK Student Visa
Once you have received an admission offer from your university, you must begin the process of applying for a UK student visa. Students who go to the UK for higher education need to apply for a UK student visa (formerly termed a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa and popularly called a Tier 4 Student Visa). Following are the details of the UK student visa:
- An offer of an academic course from a licensed student sponsor
- Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English
- Sufficient financial resources
- The cost of the UK student visa, for students who apply from outside the UK, is £490.
Also Read: UK Student Visa Documents
UK Post Study Work Visa (PSW UK)
Once students have completed their course, and if they wish to stay back in the UK, they need to apply for a UK post-study work visa (commonly known as PSW UK). It is also called a UK Graduate Visa. PSW UK allows a student to work in the UK for two years (three years in case of a doctoral degree). Students can read about PSW UK in detail here. The following are the eligibility conditions:
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- Application must be made when the student is in the UK
- He/ she must hold a UK student visa
- He/ she must have completed a bachelor’s/ master’s/ PhD/ any other relevant degree from the UK
- Students need to pay an application fee of £822 and an annual healthcare surcharge of £1035
Also Read: What Do Students Do Post-taking Graduate Route? How Much Do They Earn?
How can I get PR in the UK after Studies?
Below are some sets of steps and requirements to get a PR in the UK for international students.
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Visa applicationAfter the expiry of the PSW visa, those who are looking to stay longer in the UK need to apply for a skilled work visa or general work visa (Tier 2 visa) or any other relevant visa. In order to obtain a Tier 2 visa, the general work visa, the candidate should be getting a minimum amount of £38,700 per year, must be under 26, recent graduates, in professional training, or holding a STEM PhD relevant to the job. For some jobs, this can be higher or lower. Moreover, if you wish to apply for a Tier 2 visa, you must have a confirmed job offer before your application.
Requirements for a PR in the UK for International Students
To be eligible for a PR in the UK after study, you must be in possession of a valid UK visa and must fulfil the eligibility requirements. Consider the details below:
- If you have been in the UK for 5 years and have fulfilled one of the following conditions, you can apply for PR in the UK:
- Indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- Indefinite leave to enter the UK
- Settled status (it refers to indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme)
- Students must note that they do not have to wait for this 12-month period in case if they are married to a British citizen
- You must be 18 years or above
- You need to prove your English-language proficiency
- You must pass the life in the UK test
- You must have intentions of living in the UK
- Your character must be good
- Your stay must be in accordance with the UK immigration laws
- You can apply by yourself or with the help of an agent
- Once you have applied, you will receive you can expect a decision within 6 months
Also Read:
Yes, all the graduates receive a British degree irrespective of the campus locations. Programs follow similar patterns and examinations on all campuses. The degree awarded is even recognised by the reputed institutions and also approved by Royal Charter in UK.
The University of Hertfordshire has a 70% acceptance rate, making it easy to get into and having simple admissions requirements. Academic achievement, English language proficiency, references, and many other factors are taken into consideration while making the selection. At Hertfordshire, some programs may require four to five years of experience. To enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University, students must meet the qualifying requirements. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
England Newcastle University is one of the top choices among international students due to the university's world-class programs, an impressive return on investment, vibrant campus life, and more. As per the reviews posted by students on Shiksha, the university has obtained the following stars:
| Parameters | Stars (Shiksha Reviews) |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3.7 |
| Public Transportation | 4.5 |
| Safety | 4.4 |
| Quality of Faculty | 4.4 |
| Student Life | 4.1 |
| Value for Money | 3.6 |
| Indian Food | 3.4 |
| Permanent Immigration | 3.4 |
| Post-study Jobs | 3.4 |
| Part-time Work | 3.3 |
| Internships | 3.0 |
After applying to Hertfordshire University UK, the applicants are going to receive an initial decision about their application within 2-3 working days. After the submission of the application and documents, the applicants are required to pay their tuition deposit. Then, complete the Sponsorship interview and the financial declaration. International students are required to pay a deposit of £5,000 before registration. The balance can be paid in line with the liability dates related to the year and entry of the semester.
Coventry University is one of the renowned universities popular for its rankings, academic structure, facilities, research opportunities, and location. The university offers over 130 UG and 100 PG programs across four faculties. Coventry University also ranked no. 1 for student-staff ratio in midlands as per 'The Complete University Guide 2025' and rated gold for student experience as per the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023).
Johnson and Wales University application fees for international students is zero. Johnson and Wales University does not charge any fees for applying to either undergraduate or to graduate programs. International students can apply throught the official application portal of Johnson and Wales University.
Yes, the TOEFL iBT is accepted by 100% of universities in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as by most major institutions in Canada and Europe. Over 13,000 universities and colleges in 160+ countries accept TOEFL scores.
How to Get PR in the UK after Study FAQs
Q. Is it easy to get PR in the UK after completing studies?
A. Students must note that they will not be given PR in the UK after their master's. They need to follow a certain process. If the students are in possession of a work visa and have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years, they may be able to apply for PR in the UK. Make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements, rules and regulations. It can be a complicated procedure, with multiple requirements which need to be fulfilled. One common route for students to get permanent residency in the UK is through the Tier 2 (General) Visa.
Q. What is the easiest way to get PR in UK? Are there any shortcuts?
A. Students must note that there is no shortcut to getting a PR in the UK after their master's or after their studies. They need to follow the entire process of getting a PR, which includes meeting the set eligibility criteria and submitting an application which is properly evaluated by the government of the UK. Please keep in mind that trying to obtain PR in the UK through fraudulent means may have serious repercussions. One may be barred from entering the country and also face legal charges. So always go through the proper channels and search for professional advice from an immigration lawyer or advisor in order to see if you're eligible.
Q. How many years it takes to get PR in UK?
A. It takes around 5 years to get PR in UK. However, you must meet other requirements as well.
Q. What documents are required when I apply PR in UK after masters?
A. When you apply for PR in the UK, you will need to provide your valid ID proof (passport), your current visa, your English-language proficiency, master's degree certificate, proof of continuous residence, income proofs, a police clearance certificate, etc. If you have been away from the UK, then you are required to provide proof of absence as well. Please note that apart from the aforementioned documents, more may be required for the purpose. This may depend upon your circumstances and your visa category.
Q. What is the additional Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) fees if I wish to speed up my application?
A. If you wish to speed up your PR application, you need to pay an extra £500 for priority processing, which will complete the processing in 5 days, and £1000 for super-priority processing, which will complete the processing in 24 hours.
Q. What is the eligibility criteria for getting a PR in the UK?
A. As of March 2025, to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), commonly known as permanent residency, in the United Kingdom, applicants must generally meet the following criteria:
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Residency Duration: Typically, a continuous residence of five years in the UK is required. Certain visa categories, such as the Innovator Founder or Global Talent visas, may allow for ILR after three years. Alternatively, individuals who have legally resided in the UK for ten years may qualify under the long residence route.
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Absence Limits: Applicants must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during their qualifying residency.
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English Language Proficiency: Demonstrating knowledge of the English language is mandatory, unless exempt due to age, disability, or specific visa categories.
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Life in the UK Test: Applicants are required to pass the 'Life in the UK' test, assessing their understanding of British history, culture, and traditions.
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Good Character Requirement: A clean criminal record and adherence to immigration laws are essential.
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9 months ago
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test
Score
IELTS
Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test
Score
TOEFL iBT
Overall score of 72 to 114
PTE
Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities