For many international art students, being able to stay and work in Europe for a period of time after completing their studies is not only a good opportunity to gain work experience, but also a great way to experience the local culture and life in depth.
However, the post-graduation work visa policies vary from one European country to another. Today, we will summarize the relevant policies of some popular European countries for you.
United Kingdom PSW visa
PSW is a United Kingdom PSW visa, the full name is Post Study Work, and it is valid for 2 years.
In the United Kingdom, international students who have completed an undergraduate or master's degree have the opportunity to apply for a 2-year post-graduate work visa PSW. This means that after completing their studies, international students will have plenty of time to explore and develop in the United Kingdom workplace.
The PSW visa offers a number of advantages for international students. Firstly, it provides an opportunity for international students to work in a United Kingdom business, giving them an in-depth understanding of United Kingdom business culture and working models.
At the same time, there are some important points that you need to pay attention to. It is essential to ensure that the application is submitted within the stipulated time frame after graduation.
荷兰Search Year
The Search Year Visa in Netherlands is a one-year temporary residence permit that gives the holder the right to live and work in Netherlands without restriction and is valid for 12 months. This visa is designed to help students who are looking for a job to make the transition, and within one year, if you find a job, you can ask the employer to help you apply for a Netherlands work visa.
If you meet one of the following criteria:
1. (Study in Netherlands) Bachelor's or Master's degree, less than 3 years after graduation;
2. (non-Netherlands study) the world's top 200 universities*, less than 3 years after master's degree, IDW academic certification;
3. (Graduated from Chinese mainland, never studied abroad) the world's top 200 universities*, less than 3 years of master's degree, IDW degree certification, IELTS score of 6.0 or above (A/G is acceptable).
The three years after graduation are based on the date on the graduation certificate.
Finland
On 15 April 2022, a residence permit for international students in Finland to find a job after graduation will be approved for up to two years (previously one year), and they can apply for a permit within five years of graduation, even if they are not in Finland.
Therefore, we can apply for a 2-year Finland work visa within 5 years after graduating from Finland. This regulation is more flexible and attracts talent to return to Finland.
Denmark
On 1 April 2023, several amendments to the Denmark Aliens Act came into force, including a new change in work visas related to international students: Denmark graduates are automatically granted a 3-year work visa.
Students who have obtained a bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree in Denmark can automatically obtain a three-year visa to find a job, and the Immigration Department will automatically grant a three-year job search period within the student's study permit period, and applicants only need to apply for a job search permit in the following three cases:
1. The validity period of the student's residence permit has been shortened due to the expiration of the passport, or
2. Have been granted a 6-month job search period at the same time as obtaining a residence permit, or
3. Have completed an educational program in Denmark after the required study period.
If the educational course is not approved by a state agency, but has received a consultative statement from the Denmark Evaluation Institute (EVA), then the bachelor can apply for a job permit for 6 months.
Sweden
The Sweden Migration Agency plans to overhaul the work visa system, and the new scheme is expected to start in early 2024. The system divides work permit applications into four categories, arranged from A to D.
Sweden offers a 12-month valid work visa for people who have completed higher education or one year of research work in the country to facilitate them to find a job in Sweden or try to start a business.
Once you find a job, you can convert your visa into a work permit. To apply for permanent residence in Sweden, you must have worked in Sweden for 4 consecutive years (the period of study is not counted, but the time spent in doctoral studies can be counted). After five years of continuous employment, you can apply for a Sweden passport.
Finland
On 15 April 2022, a residence permit for international students in Finland to find a job after graduation will be approved for up to two years (previously one year), and they can apply for a permit within five years of graduation, even if they are not in Finland.
Therefore, we can apply for a 2-year Finland work visa within 5 years after graduating from Finland. This regulation is more flexible and attracts talent to return to Finland.
Ireland
Educated, non-EEA graduates who are legally resident in Ireland may remain in Ireland for a period of 12 or 24 months if they have been awarded a Level 8 or Level 9 leaving certificate by an institution recognised by Ireland.
To be eligible for a Graduate immigration permit of up to 24 months, a graduate who has earned a Level 9 or above award in the National Framework of Qualifications will be granted permission for an initial 12 months and can be extended for a further 12 months thereafter (but the total student status cannot exceed 8 years).
Germany
Work visas in Germany are generally divided into two types: short-term work visas and long-term work visas.
Short-term work visas are valid for up to 90 days (three months) and are non-renewable for business visits that last up to three months, such as short-term work assignments, conferences, events, cultural or sporting events, film crews, trade fairs and exhibitions, etc.
Long-term work visas are usually valid for 1 year+, depending on the type of work, but it may be more advantageous for engineering and technical talents to find a job.
Italy
The Italy work visa is a document that allows non-EU citizens to legally work and reside in Italy in accordance with Italy immigration law. There are various types of work visas in Italy, including the Service Agreement Dispatch Visa (SAA), the EU Blue Card (high-level employees), and the ICT visa for intra- and intra-group assignees, which are not affected by the Italy Mobility Decree (decreto flussi).
After graduating from Italy, you can stay in the local area for one year to find jobs and job opportunities.