International students who wish to stay in the UK after completing their master’s degree need to be aware of visa controls and what that means for them. Non-EU students must find a job within four months of the last date of their course and cannot stay longer. Ideally, you should find employment before your student visa expires, or you will become very stressed as your possible deportation deadline approaches!

You will generally need to apply for either a Tier 5 visa or a Tier 2 visa. The Tier 5 visa is intended for those who have obtained short-term employment that allows them to come to the UK for a short period to gain work experience. or pursue training, a government language program abroad, research, or a scholarship through an authorized government. exchange regime. A licensed sponsor must offer you such employment, and you will generally be paid at least the national minimum wage. You should have a sponsorship certificate in hand, along with details of how much you will be paid. With a Tier 5 visa, you can stay in the UK for up to 12 or 24 months (depending on what you apply for) or the time stated on your certificate of sponsorship plus 28 days, whichever is shorter.

A Tier 2 visa is for those who have been offered a skilled job in the UK, and can stay in the country for a maximum of 5 years and 14 days, or the time indicated on your certificate of sponsorship plus 1 month , whatever short. Under certain circumstances, you can also take on a second job. You can also apply to extend your stay for up to another 5 years, but remember that your total stay should not exceed 6 years in total.

Job hunting is never easy at the best of times. With a four-month time limit, finding a job in today’s tough economic circumstances can be a harrowing experience. Here’s what you need to do to make your experience easier:

Apply early in your senior year. Most companies have a long selection process and it will be easier to start early. Courses usually end in September, so you should start your job search in May.

Before you apply, make sure your prospective employer is registered to sponsor students. If he is not on the Home Office’s list of UK registered employer sponsors, he will be wasting his time as he cannot sponsor you.

Prepare to be rejected. This happens to everyone, and the perfect job may be just around the corner. Don’t feel defeated if an employer turns you down. There are students who apply to 40 companies before they get a call back, and that can potentially turn into a solid job offer!

Use your connections. Visit international student career fairs and learn about the companies that matter. Introduce yourself and meet more people. Use your university alumni center to get in touch with previous students who are now working in the UK and see if you can get a vacancy through them.

Have a backup plan! In the worst case, if you cannot be placed within 4 months, you must have a backup option in your home country. Explore all the openings; sometimes any job is better than no job at all.

Volunteer and gain work experience even while you study. This can go a long way in making your resume look good to potential employers and can give you an edge over the competition.

Good luck with your job search!