Post-study workers
Immigration status during United Kingdom study and/or research
This page explains how many points you must score for your immigration status during United Kingdom study and/or research in the points-based assessment to apply under the post-study worker category (Tier 1 Post-study work) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
Full details of all requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245V to 245ZA of part 6a, which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.
Points awarded for your immigration status
You can claim 20 points if you can show that during your period of study and/or research in the United Kingdom, you had permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom as a:
- student; or
- student nurse; or
- student resitting an examination; or
- student writing up a thesis; or
- dependant of someone with leave in any category that allows dependants to join them in the United Kingdom.
We will not award any points if your immigration status was not one of those listed above while you were studying in the United Kingdom towards the qualification that you want to claim points for, and will refuse your application.
You do not need to have lived in the United Kingdom throughout the entire period of your study. It is reasonable to expect, for example, that as a student you may have studied overseas and/or done research while getting the qualification you are claiming points for.
A dependant would be entitled to claim 20 points for this attribute, but if they are still in the United Kingdom they are unable to switch into becoming the main applicant for post-study worker. The dependant would have to leave the United Kingdom and make an application overseas for entry clearance.