Answering visa related questions on job application forms

Why do employers ask visa related questions on job application forms?

The questions are asked by employers to ascertain whether they will need to sponsor you, how many hours or for how long you will be able to work with them without requiring sponsorship. Employers may not have the capacity to do extra checks and admin work if they need to sponsor you. They may also be asking the questions as they want to know if they can employ you after you graduate or if you are successful with them when you do a placement or internship. They want to know the implications and options available to them if they recruit you.

These suggested answers aim to assist in progressing through the recruitment process, however these answers do not ensure job success.

We understand that it is not always possible to provide additional information as the questions may only require a Yes/No answer. In those circumstances, try to see if there is a free text field where you can add an explanation. Consider attaching a letter with the job application to provide an explanation. If that is not possible you can consider emailing the HR department of the company and request to attach your letter to the job application, include your full name and any reference number if there is one.

Authenticity is key: Your actual answers must reflect your unique circumstances and fit the questions being asked.

Answer responsibly: It’s your duty to respond truthfully and adapt responses to match your personal situation.

Guide: The provided responses serve only as examples, not final answers

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1. What is your current visa status?

You can choose one of the below explanations that suit your circumstances and provide additional details if the application form allows you to do so. If there is no space to provide further details or there are follow on questions about your work rights, you can simply state Student Visa as an answer to this question and provide further details in the follow-on questions if there are any.

It is important that you ensure that you do not exceed the 20 hours work limit.

Scenario – 1: If the job is for during your studies

PGT students: I am on a Student Visa and during my studies I am allowed to work 20 hours a week throughout my course.

UG Students: I am on a Student Visa and during my studies I am allowed to work 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time outside of term-time. My university term dates are available here.

Scenario- 2: If it is a full-time role requiring, you to start after completing your studies or for UG students before term 3 ends

PGT Students: I am on a Student Visa until _________ [date when visa will expire]. I can start working full-time from ____________ (provide the date when your course officially ends or if you want to start working sooner provide a date which is four weeks before your official course end date) when I will complete all my studies. The university can support me with a letter confirming that I have completed my academic studies and that I am allowed to work full-time.

Please note: You can also access a generic support letter from the university here.

UG Students: If you have completed all the academic work and your job starts 3 weeks before the end of term 3, you can work full-time and obtain a letter to confirm this.

Example: I have completed my studies or will complete my studies on _____________(date last piece of work will be submitted) and I am allowed to work full-time/I will be allowed to work full-time from that date. I can provide supporting letter from the University to confirm my work rights.

Important Note

If you are applying for jobs whilst you are on the Student Visa but you will be starting the job after you get your Graduate Route Visa, you can provide the following additional information: on the job starting date, I should be on a Graduate Route Visa or in the process of transitioning to it. I will maintain my work rights during this process

2. Do you have the right to work in the UK?

You can answer ‘Yes’ to this question whether you will be starting your job whilst on your Student Visa, during the transition to Graduate Visa having submitted an in-time valid application or once you are on the Graduate Route Visa. Your Student Visa does allow work, although there are restrictions. If there is enough space, you can then provide more information as below.

Explain the work rights clearly where possible, choose one of the explanations below that suits your circumstance, or you may want to combine the options, depending on the role you are applying for, and its start date.

Scenario – 1: During your study

Yes, I have the right to work 20 hours a week during my studies (if you are a UG student you should add ‘and full-time outside of the term dates’).

Scenario- 2: After your study

After I have completed my studies, I can work full-time for the remaining duration of my Student Visa and in the meantime, I can apply for the Graduate Route Visa which will allow me to continue working full-time for 2 years (PGR students should state 3 years). The Graduate Route Visa does not require sponsorship, and I can work in full-time permanent positions, it is a very flexible visa.

Scenario- 2: If completing your studies early

PGT: As a PG student I can start working full-time four weeks before my official course end date and once I have completed all my academic work. I can obtain a letter from my University to confirm my work rights.

UG: I can start working full-time in the summer, three weeks before term ends and once I have completed all my studies. I can obtain a letter from the University which confirms this.

Important Note

3. Do you require visa sponsorship now or in the future?

There isn’t a single “correct” answer, as requirements vary based on each student’s long-term plans and the employer’s expectations. Here’s how to approach this:

If you’re seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa immediately or soon, answer “Yes” to show that you’re looking for long-term sponsorship and alignment with the company’s plans.
If your primary goal is to gain experience and you’re open to the possibility of changing jobs after your poststudy work visa (e.g., Graduate Route) expires, then answer “No. ” This shows that, for now, you don’t need sponsorship and are happy to gain experience through the Graduate Route Visa, which allows you to work full-time for two years (or three if you’re a PhD student) without sponsorship.

However, please keep in mind:

Larger employers with graduate schemes often prefer to retain talent long-term, sometimes for 5+ years, since they invest heavily in initial training and development. In such cases, answer Yes to indicate you’ll need sponsorship eventually, as it enables them to assess visa sponsorship requirements at the outset with a view of longer-term employment.
Salary expectations also matter for those considering future visa sponsorship. To meet the Skilled Worker Visa requirements, you must earn at least £30,960 at the end of Year 2 (post-Student Visa) and £38,700 by the end of Year 4 if you wish to continue working in the UK.

Example Answer

“I do not currently require visa sponsorship, as my Student Visa allows me to work full-time outside term dates and at the end of my studies. After my studies, I can switch to the Graduate Route Visa, which does not require sponsorship, allowing me to work full-time for two more years (three for PhD students). However, if long-term sponsorship is available, I would be open to considering it under the Skilled Worker Visa, as outlined in the Graduate Visa Employer Information Leaflet.” (Graduate Visa LeafletLink opens in a new window)

4. When does your current visa expire?

"My Student Visa will expire on_____________________(add the date when your visa will expire)

I will apply for the Graduate Route Visa before my current Student Visa expires. This means that the conditions of my student visa will continue until UKVI decide my Graduate Route Visa application. My Student Visa allows full-time work at the end of my studies. I can continue to work full-time after submitting the Graduate Route Visa application whilst I wait for the visa outcome."

If you are applying for jobs whilst you are on the Student Visa but you will be starting the job after you get your Graduate Route Visa: If possible, you can provide the following additional information: "Whilst I currently hold a Student Visa, on the start date of the job, I should have a Graduate Route Visa for 2 years, this will give me the right to work in a permanent full-time role."

5. Are there any restrictions on the number of hours you can work?

During the course: I can work 20 hours a week (UG students can add: ‘and full-time outside the term dates).

After the course: I can work full-time now that all of my studies have completed/I am allowed to work full-time after my course end date or three weeks (if UG) four weeks (if PGT) before my course end date as per my CAS and once I have completed all my studies.

I have a valid student visa which allows full-time work at the end of my studies.

There will be no restrictions on my working hours once I am on the Graduate Route Visa.

6. Are you eligible for the Graduate Route Visa (Post-Study Work Visa)?

Yes, I am waiting for the university email confirming that they have notified UKVI about my award. As soon as I receive this email I will submit my Graduate Route Visa application, this should be granted for 2 years (3 years if PhD student). In the meantime my Student Visa allows me to work full-time while I transition on to the Graduate Route Visa. (Graduate Visa LeafletLink opens in a new window)

7. Will you require a Skilled Worker visa in the future?

You could answer ‘N/A’ (not applicable to your current situation as you do not know if you may require it in the future) to that question or leave it blank if possible and provide additional information as per below. If you must answer either with a ‘Yes/No’ you will need to choose ‘Yes’ and try to add some additional information to explain that you do not require it for a few years whilst you have a Student Visa and Graduate Visa. Below is a guide for your explanation.

I do not require it for a few years. After my Student Visa, I can switch to the Graduate Route Visa. This will allow me to work full-time for 2/3 years ( UG students will get 2 and PGT students will get 3 year GR Visa). If after this period I find a company willing to sponsor me, I will look into the option of the Skilled Worker Visa. I will also have the option to return to a Student Visa if I want to further my studies and that will also give me some work rights for a longer time.

8. Are there any specific conditions on your visa that we should be aware of?

On a Student Visa I am not allowed to do the following activities:

be self-employed/engage in business activity
work as a professional sportsperson
work as an entertainer
work in a permanent full-time vacancy unless my student visa is pre 06 April 2022, I have applied for the Graduate Route Visa and successfully completed my studies or I applied for the Skilled Worker visa and I have either completed my course or up to 3 months from my course completion date.

9. How long are you planning to stay and work in the UK? 10. Are you currently on a visa that allows you to take up full-time employment? 11. Can you provide proof of your right to work in the UK? 12. Do you have any dependents that are part of your current visa application? 13. Would you need assistance from the company for your visa application? 14. Are you aware of the visa restrictions that might affect your ability to work in certain sectors? 15. Do you have the right to work in the UK for the next 5 years?

As you are on a Student Visa which probably won’t last for 5 years even after switching to Graduate Route Visa, you should answer ‘No’ and provide additional explanation if possible.

I currently have the right to work, and this will continue for the next few years. I will have options to extend my work right when I extend my visa and switch to the Graduate Route and/or other work visa options. I have the option to extend my right to work for the next 5 years.