How Canadians Can Get UK Permanent Residency After Studying?

So, you’re a Canadian, you’re thinking about studying in the UK (or maybe you’re already here!), and you’re starting to wonder, “What happens after I graduate? Can I actually stay in the UK and make it my long-term home?” It’s a really common and important question. You’re not alone in wanting to figure out the next steps without a ton of extra research. Let’s break it down simply.

Getting “permanent residency” in the UK is officially called getting “Indefinite Leave to Remain” (ILR). Think of it as permission to live, work, and study in the UK without any time limits or immigration restrictions. It’s a big step towards settling down here.

Now, does just studying in the UK automatically get you ILR as a Canadian? The direct answer is no, studying on a student visa doesn’t lead directly to permanent residency. The student visa is for, well, studying! But, completing your studies in the UK can definitely be a really important step on the path to getting ILR later on.

Your First Step After Studying

Once you’ve successfully finished your degree in the UK, there’s a fantastic option available to you called the Graduate Route visa. This visa is specifically designed for international students like you who have completed a recognized UK degree.

The great thing about the Graduate Route is that it allows you to stay in the UK for up to two years after graduation (or three years if you’ve completed a PhD). During this time, you can work in most jobs at any skill level, or even be self-employed. You don’t need a specific job offer from a sponsored employer to get this visa.

Think of the Graduate Route as a valuable bridge. It gives you time to gain work experience in the UK and figure out your next move without the immediate pressure of needing a long-term sponsored job.

Moving Towards Permanent Residency, The Skilled Worker Visa

While the Graduate Route itself doesn’t lead to ILR, it gives you the chance to find a job that can lead to it. For most people who study in the UK and want to stay long-term, the most common way to get to ILR is by switching from the Graduate Route (or sometimes directly from a student visa if you meet the requirements) to a Skilled Worker visa.

The Skilled Worker visa is for people who have a job offer from a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office (the UK’s immigration department). The job also needs to meet certain skill and salary levels.

If you can get a Skilled Worker visa, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. And here’s the key part: after you have been on a Skilled Worker visa (or a combination of certain other long-term visas) for five continuous years, you can often apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

So, the path often looks like this for a Canadian student:

1. Study in the UK on a Student visa.
2. Finish your degree and switch to the Graduate Route visa (up to 2 or 3 years).
3. During your time on the Graduate Route, find a qualifying job with a sponsored employer and switch to a Skilled Worker visa.
4. Stay and work on the Skilled Worker visa for five years.
5. Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

This means that, for many Canadian graduates, the total time before you can apply for permanent residency will be more than five years after you finish studying, because you’ll likely spend some time on the Graduate Route first before getting onto the 5-year clock for ILR through a work visa like the Skilled Worker visa.

What You Need for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Getting ILR isn’t just about spending time in the UK. When you apply for ILR through the Skilled Worker route (after your 5 years), you’ll need to meet a few other important requirements:

Continuous Residence

You need to show you’ve been living legally in the UK for the required time (usually 5 years on a qualifying visa). There are rules about how much time you can spend outside the UK during this period (generally no more than 180 days in any 12-month period).

Still Needed for Your Job

Your employer needs to confirm that they still need you for your job.

Salary Requirement

You need to be earning at or above a certain salary level, which the government sets (usually around 38700 GBP per annum). These levels can change, so it’s important to check the most current rules when you are ready to apply.

Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK

This usually means passing the “Life in the UK” test, which is a test about British customs, traditions, and laws. You also need to show you have a good grasp of the English language (usually by passing an approved English language test, unless you have a degree taught in English).

Good Character

You need to show that you have a good immigration history and no serious criminal convictions.

Meeting these requirements shows the UK government that you are settled and contributing to life in the UK.

We know this can sound like a lot of steps, and figuring out which visa is right for you after studying, understanding the requirements, and making sure your application is correct can feel overwhelming.

This is exactly what we help people with at Atlas Apply. We guide students from Canada (and everywhere else!) through the process of coming to the UK to study, and we can also provide information and support on potential next steps after you graduate. We understand the immigration rules and can help you make a plan to work towards your goal of staying in the UK long-term.

Ready to talk about your plans or have questions about the Graduate Route or Skilled Worker visa? You can easily reach us on WhatsApp at +447498782831. We’re here to give you the clear, reliable information you need.

Conclusion

For Canadians who study in the UK, getting permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain) isn’t automatic after graduation. However, studying here opens up fantastic opportunities like the Graduate Route visa, which then allows you to work in the UK and switch to a Skilled Worker visa. By living and working on a Skilled Worker visa for five years and meeting requirements like the Life in the UK test and English language ability, you can apply for ILR. It’s a multi-year journey that requires planning and meeting specific criteria, but it is definitely achievable for many. Atlas Apply is here to help you understand each step and navigate the process effectively, starting with your study plans and looking ahead to your future in the UK.

FAQs