Fresh Talent (FT: WiSS) Post Study

FT:WiSS has a new name...

Yes! A new name, but the qualifying criteria stays the same.

The Scottish Government's Fresh Talent initiative welcomes people from around the world who want to live, work or learn in Scotland .

As part of the simplification of the UK's immigration system, from Monday 30 June 2008 the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland Scheme (FT:WiSS) became part of the new Post Study immigration category known as Post Study.

Since FTWiSS began in 2005 the number of succesful applications soared to 8475.

The good news is that international graduates and employers have nothing to worry about because the qualifying criteria remains the same. Check qualifiying criteria.

If you want to work in Scotland under this migration route you must have graduated from a UK institution with a recognised qualification. 

Successful applicants will be granted permission to work in the UK for up to 2 years without a work permit.

Once your 2 years with Post Study have finished, under the new system it will be easier to move into Tier 2 of the Points Based System, if you have been with the same employer for six months, allowing you to stay and work longer in Scotland.

Scotland has led the way in supporting  international graduates to stay on in Scotland to work after their studies. Over 8,000 highly qualified graduates have taken advantage of the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland Scheme since its launch in 2005. Read Fresh Talent Case Studies.

As part of the ongoing Fresh Talent initiative, the Relocation Advisory Service (RAS) continues to offer help and advice to anyone who wishes to live, learn or work in Scotland and to work with employers to tap into talent from around the world.

New Points-based immigration system

Do your Points add up to a UK Visa? (PDF, 80Kb)

Useful Documents

Post Study Work - Questions and Answers (PDF, 2Mb)
Employing International Graduates - A brief guide for Employers (PDF, 1.82Mb)
Working in Scotland - A guide for International Students (PDF, 2Mb)

Workers

The Fresh Talent initiative also aims to attract workers to come to Scotland from around the world.

There are people from around the world living in Scotland. Case Studies of people in Scotland.

Many Scottish businesses have benefited from overseas workers. Read the Recruitment Stories.

The Relocation Advisory Service

The Relocation Advisory Service (RAS) is free of charge, and works with individuals and businesses.

Contact The Relocation Advisory Service (RAS).

If you are a business you can also download the Employers Toolkit.

Or look for further advice here Advice to business.

Home Office Release - June 2008

Closure of Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and other work-based categories. Read more on the Home Office website.