Using LinkedIn for UK Job Search — Tips for Nepali Students

Yes. Following and connecting with recruiters at target companies is a valid and common strategy. Send a brief note explaining your background and interest in their company or sector.

The Graduate Route grants unrestricted UK work rights with no sponsor required — 18 months for applications filed on or after 1 January 2027 and 2 years for those filed on or before 31 December 2026 — for bachelor's and master's graduates (3 years for PhD), with no employer sponsorship needed (gov.uk/graduate-visa, 2026). From January 2027, bachelor's/master's graduates receive 18 months.

The general salary threshold is £38,700 per year (UK Home Office, gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job/salary-requirements), though shortage occupations such as nursing and social care have lower thresholds.

At the National Living Wage of £12.71/hour (UK Low Pay Commission, April 2026), working the permitted 20 hours/week during term time generates approximately £1,017 per month before tax.

Healthcare and nursing, technology and data science, finance and accounting, engineering, and social work consistently offer strong graduate opportunities and sponsor licences for international candidates.

Use your 20 hours/week part-time work allowance strategically — campus roles, internships, and placement years related to your degree build a stronger graduate CV than unrelated hospitality or retail work alone.

The typical route is Student visa → Graduate Route (18 months if filed from 1 Jan 2027, otherwise 2 years) → Skilled Worker visa → ILR after five qualifying years on the Skilled Worker route. Time on the Graduate Route does not count toward that clock (it counts only toward the separate 10-year long-residence route), so the Skilled Worker clock starts when you switch period.

Larger companies, the NHS, and public sector organisations are more likely to hold a sponsor licence and sponsor international graduates. Small and medium businesses are less likely to sponsor visas.