Transitional arrangements for migrants on the International Graduates Scheme and the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme

This page explains the temporary arrangements we have made for migrants who are currently in the United Kingdom with permission to stay under the International Graduates scheme and the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme. These and other categories have been deleted as we introduce Tier 1 of the points-based system.

These transitional arrangements apply after the International Graduates Scheme is deleted on 30 June 2008.

If you still have valid permission to stay in the United Kingdom (known as leave to remain) under the International Graduates Scheme or the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme on or after 30 June 2008, when we introduced Tier 1 (Post study work) of the points-based system, you will be able to apply to extend your permission to stay in your existing category for long enough to give you a combined total of two years under your current category and the Post study work category. This will be a one-off transitional arrangement.

We also have special provisions for people who are British nationals (overseas), British overseas territories citizens, British overseas citizens, British protected persons or British subjects who arrived here without prior entry clearance and received limited leave to enter under the International Graduates Scheme or the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme. These provisions enable them to extend their stay in the United Kingdom for up to two years in a combination of their current category and the Tier 1 (Post study work) category.