The new route is launched on 01 July 2021. This route is beneficial for students who have been sponsored by higher education and have successfully completed their course which is a minimum of 12 months or longer, in their last granted leave to enter or remain in the UK.

The courses will be Bachelor, Masters or one of the following courses –

(a) a law conversion course validated by the Joint Academic Stage Board in England and Wales; or (b) the Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland; or (c) the Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland; or (d) a foundation programme in Medicine or Dentistry; or (e) a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE); or (f) a professional course requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above in a profession with reserved activities that are regulated by UK law or UK public authority. Distant learning during the period between 24 January 2020 and 27 September 2021 will be accepted as a period of studying in the UK, if the course began in 2020 and entered the UK on or before 21 June 2021 or the course began in 2021 and the applicant entered the UK before 27 September 2021. Additionally, to meet the requirement under this route your application should not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal and should not be an overstayer for more than 14 days. A Ph.D. student will be granted 3 years of leave to remain under this route and other applicants will be granted 2 years. Dependents (partner and child under 18 years) already present in the UK with the student on a dependent visa can apply to extend under this route; however, dependents not holding a student dependent visa before cannot join the main applicant from outside the UK on this route. Dependents will need to establish that their relationship is genuine and subsisting and that they do not fall for refusal. The period spent on this category can be counted towards indefinite leave to remain if you are applying under the 10 years long residence rule. If you are looking for a professional UK visa and Immigration advice on your application, please contact Visa and Migration Ltd on 02034111261