Graduate Trainee Visa

A Graduate Trainee visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to work for your employer in their UK branch.

Your job must be eligible and part of a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role.

You cannot apply to change (‘switch’) to a Graduate Trainee visa from inside the UK.

To qualify for a Graduate Trainee visa, you must:

• be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor.

• have worked for your sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before you apply.

• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer.

• do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations.

• be paid at least £24,220 per year.

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship and you can get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.