Chemistry students in Edinburgh, Scotland. Image credit: www.scotlandistheplace.com.
Fresh Talent Scotland
The Fresh Talent Scotland Scheme allows international students who have graduated with full degrees from Scottish institutions to apply to stay in Scotland to live and work for up to two years upon completion of their course. Students must have lived in Scotland for the duration of study and must have received either a first degree, Masters, PhD or HND (Higher National Diploma) from a Scottish university or college.
Students (such as Junior Year Abroad participants) who have not done a full degree at a Scottish university are not eligible for this program.
The Fresh Talent scheme, formally introduced in a statement in the Scottish Parliament by First Minister Jack McConnell Feb. 25, 2004, and launched in the summer of 2005, is aimed at increasing the inward flow of talent to Scotland and reversing its population decline.
Learn more about the scheme by browsing through our Frequently Asked Questions below, or contact the Scottish Government's Relocation Advisory Service.
For more information on undergraduate study in Scotland, visit British Council Scotland or see our overview of Scottish degrees.
Applications are now available.
Who is eligible?
- Fresh Talent Scotland is open to students who graduate with an undergraduate degree, Masters, PhD or HND from a Scottish University or College and who have lived in Scotland while they are studying.
- Students who graduate up to 12 months before the scheme is launched will be eligible to apply. You will have to show that you meet the requirements of the scheme, including that you lived in Scotland while studying for your degree, HND, masters or PhD. If your leave-to-remain has expired, you must return home after your studies and apply from abroad. UK entry clearance is mandatory.
- It is open to students from outside the European Economic Area (the European Union plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) – EEA students do not need a visa or a work permit.
- It does not cover students who have gained other qualifications such as Higher National Certificates, postgraduate diplomas or certificates or honorary degrees.
- Applicants must intend to work during the two years following their graduation and must have the means to provide their own accommodation and living expenses.
What happens when the two years are over?
Applicants will have to leave Scotland at the end of the two year period, unless they are granted a work permit or allowed to remain because they have particular skills or abilities.
Can applications be submitted now?
Yes! Application forms are now
available. If you have completed an undergraduate, HND, masters or PhD from a Scottish institution in the last 12 months, you can apply.
Can applications be made while the applicant is in Scotland?
If you are currently studying in Scotland, you can make an application while still in Scotland. In all other cases, applications must be made from outside the UK.
From how long after graduation is someone eligible for the scheme?
Applications can be made for up to one year after you have graduated.
Is there a fee for applying?
Yes. Applications from within the UK are covered by the UK Government’s ‘Leave to Remain’ regulations. All applications under these regulations cost 250 Great British Pounds (
convert currency) if the application is made by post, or £500 (
convert currency) if it is made in person at a Public Enquiry Office – this is a faster process, called Premium Service. (In Scotland, there is a Public Enquiry Office in Glasgow.) These fees are set by the Home Office in London. Where applications are made from abroad, there will be entry clearance fees. These fees vary, and full details can be found on the
UK Visas website.
Who handles the applications?
How long does it take to get a decision?
If you’re a resident in Scotland and apply in person using the Premium Service, your application should be considered on the day you apply. For postal applications, the Home Office aims to reach a decision within three weeks in most cases. However, whichever way you apply, if you do not supply all the information asked for or if your application is complicated, the process can take up to three months. If you are applying from abroad, details of the time it takes to process applications can be found at
UK Visas.
Can my dependents stay with me in Scotland?
Yes. You can apply for permission for your spouse or partner and any children under eighteen to stay with you for the two years covered by the Fresh Talent leave to remain scheme. You must show that you are able to support them financially during this period. However, while they are here they will be allowed to work under the same terms as the dependents of people who hold work permits.
My studies were sponsored by someone in my home country. Do I need their permission to apply?
Yes. Your sponsor must agree to you staying in Scotland under the Fresh Talent leave to remain scheme. You should submit a letter of permission from them along with your application.
Will the Fresh Talent initiative find a job for me?
The Fresh Talent initiative only covers your permission to stay in the country. The
Relocation Advisory Service may be able to help you find employment in Scotland after you graduate, and the Scottish Executive is trying to make suitable work placements available. Scotland has relatively low unemployment. Ultimately, it will still be your responsibility to find a job.
If I’m accepted, do I need a separate work permit?
Not for the two years covered by the Fresh Talent initiative. During that time, you are free to apply for a work permit or join the Highly Skilled Migrant Program, enabling you to remain in Scotland past the two year mark, provided you meet the entrance requirements.
What type of work will I be allowed to do?
There are no restrictions. Under the Fresh Talent Initiative, you can take up any job you want.
Can the Fresh Talent initiative be extended?
Two years is the absolute maximum stay under the Fresh Talent initiative. If you want to stay longer, you should apply for entry to one of the other managed migration categories. These will extend your stay for a further four years and may lead to permanent settlement in Scotland.
The categories include the following options:
- Work Permit Employment: Work permits are issued to the employer, so this route may be open to you if you already have a job in Scotland. The criteria for a work permit includes that there is no suitable EEA applicant for the job.
- The Highly Skilled Migrant Program: This initiative is designed to allow people with special skills to find work in the UK or to become self-employed in Scotland. Entry is based on the applicants’ experience and qualifications.
- Business Ownership: The immigration rules allow people to live in the UK if they are establishing or taking over a business in Scotland. Amongst other requirements, they must invest at least £200,000 ( convert currency) of their own money in the business and create or maintain at least two full-time jobs.
- The Innovators Scheme: The Innovators Scheme is designed for entrepreneurs with proposals for setting up a new business which will bring economic benefit to the UK. Under this initiative, the applicant does not have to invest personally in the business. Someone else can provide the money they need.
Full details of these schemes can be found at Work Permits (UK).
Where can I find further information?
