Skilled working visa Sponsorship

I am a soon to be called to the bar graduate. However, my results will be published after my student visa expires. I understand the most common route will be to have a work visa.
My question is what are the prospects/options of working in the UK? Could I still apply for pupillage whilst I look for other job opportunities for example paralegal, legal assistant etc. and how will the visa operate? How likely will the law firm sponsor a work visa for a paralegal or equivalent roll?

Reply 1

Crazy Jamie

You can apply for pupillage at any time, though the majority of pupillages are advertised and offered during the period in which the pupillage gateway operates, which is from the beginning of January (though advertisements are put up and applicants and view the site before that) in any given year until offers are made at the beginning of May. As someone who has just completed the Bar course, I would assume that you're already aware of the pupillage gateway, and I'd hope that you applied for pupillage during this cycle. Either way, your next opportunity to do so in the main will be at the start of next year, so I expect you'll have to find employment in the interim to remain in the country on a work visa. There are sets that recruit outside of that timetable, but it's a small number compared to those who recruit during it.

I'm afraid I don't have any in depth knowledge of the immigration issues. It may be that there are others who can help with that.

Reply 2

Blayze

If the BPC you did qualifies for a student visa, you might possibly qualify for the graudate visa (https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa), but you will need to check the specific details.

I suspect you would struggle to get a Skilled Worker visa for a paralegal role, since the minimum is £38,700, which I don't think you would be able to get as a fresh Bar course graduate. Some firms might pay you that, but I think that would incorporate overtime which I am not sure can be counted for the initail application for the visa.

If you get pupillage, I beleive the Bar Council can provide sponsorship but I don't know the details.

Reply 3

abstrackickoff

As has been outlined above, you can apply for the Graduate Visa route (which at the moment allows you work in the UK for 2 years. I say at the moment because of the recent White Paper where the government is looking to reduce it to 18 months). As for whether you will get sponsored for the paralegal job, it's unlikely. Part of the reason has to do with the pay. There is an exception that if you are working towards a regulated profession then you can be paid lesser but even then it is a challenge. Law firms generally provide sponsorship for more role senior roles. That is not to say that there are not law firms that would not sponsor you but those are difficult to find, particularly as a Bar student. They may be more likely to if someone was a LPC/SQE student and had secured a training contract with them.

(edited 10 months ago)

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Articles for you

What university is really like

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.

Try out the app

Continue on web

Skilled working visa Sponsorship

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated