Can International Students Stay in the UK After their Visa Expires?

Your term is coming to an end, and so is your stay in the UK. However, if you’ve made some bright plans for building your career here, you may not be ready to leave as yet. But what happens when your study visa expires? Can you continue living in the land of opportunities? The short answer is yes.

Whether you want to invest in a business, get a job, continue your studies or settle down with someone special, you’d need to apply for a new visa before your current Tier 4 (General) Visa expires to remain in the UK. If you leave your student visa to expire, the Home Office may label you an overstayer, which could potentially impact any UK immigration applications you file in the future.

So research your options and visit the Home Office to apply for any of the following visas:

Tier 4 visa pilot

This visa allows you to stay in the UK for an additional 13 months to study for a Master’s course. Currently, the Tier 4 visa pilot is applicable in a limited number of UK universities. But perhaps the best part about this opportunity is that it also allows you to stay in the country for a further six months after your Master’s degree has been completed.

Tier 2 (General) visa

Employers in the UK are always looking for fresh talent to work in different sectors of the economy. If you manage to find work with a licensed sponsor, you’re eligible to apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa that’ll allow you to remain in the UK for up to 5 years with the prospect of settling down.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa

If you have an excellent business idea to roll-out in the country, consider applying for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. All you need is capital and a thorough business plan that you’ll need to discuss with the Home Office to get your permit to stay. Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa can also lead to settlement in the UK, bringing you a British passport.

Tier 1 Investor visa

The type of visa is becoming a popular choice among young students who are bypassing the Tier 4 visa and applying for the Tier 1 Investor visa. The Tier 1 Investor visa allows individuals to live in the country for up to 5 years and lead to settlement if you’re thinking long-term.

Seek legal help today

Applying for a visa can be a long and painstaking task, especially when you don’t know which type you should apply for. At Wembley Solicitors, we offer legal assistance in immigration matters and help students build a life in the UK.

We also offer legal help in commercial lease, children custody, divorce, accident at work, tenancy and financial settlement cases. Connect with us for more information.