The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme (WISS) visa scheme encourages students that have completed their course in Scotland to stay and work in Scotland.
The WISS visa scheme will allow skilled and talented non-EEA nationals who have completed thier studies, such as a degree course or HND at a University in Scotland to stay on in Scotland for a further two years, where they can start their careers.
A degree, HND, PhD, or a Masters degree awarded from a Scottish Institution of Further Education or Scottish Institution of Higher Education will allow you to qualify for a WISS visa.
Applicants need to have lived in Scotland while they studied and completed their course, and must intend to continue living and working in Scotland during the two years that the visa is issued for.
You must also be able to financially support yourself without relying on public funds. If you have any dependants, you will need to show that you can support them aswell, before your application for the visa will be approved.
Unless you are granted leave as a highly skilled migrant, a Work Permit holder, or Tier 1 General visa holder you will need to leave the UK at the end of your two year visa.
Applying in Scotland
It is possible for you to apply while you are in the UK provided you have a valid Student visa or a Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS) visa.
You can apply to return from overseas under this scheme provided that your application for a WISS visa is submitted within 12 months of completing your studies. If you apply from abroad, it is necessary to obtain entry clearance.
Course completed, yet to graduate
You will need to provide your degree certificate to show that you have completed your course. If you have your results confirmed but you have not yet graduated you may need a letter from your tutor which confirms that you have completed the course successfully.
Work permitted
Once you have been granted a WISS visa, there are no restrictions on employment. You are entitled to take on any type of work. You are also allowed to be self-employed or work in business during your leave without needing a work permit from the UK Border Agency.
Granted leave under the science and engineering graduates scheme (SEGS)?
If you have leave under the Science and Engineering Scheme you are entitled to change over to a Working In Scotland Scheme visa. You need to satisfy the requirements mentioned above.
If your WISS visa application is approved after you have completed 12 months on a SEGS visa, then you will only be granted a further 12 months on WISS.
Switching visa types
If you WISS visa you may be able to switch in-country into HSMP or a UK Work Permit.
You will need to satisfy all the requirements of the category. If you do not switch into another category you will have to leave the UK when your visa expires.
Dependants
It is possible to apply for permission for your spouse or partner or any children under the age of 18 to stay with you for the two years leave you are granted under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme. In order to be approved, you must be able to show that you are financially able to support them during this period. While your dependents are here, they will be entitled to work under the same terms and conditions as the dependents of people who have work permits. If the dependents are applying from abroad, they will need to apply for entry clearance.
