Type of Visa Law Firms sponsor for International Students doing the SQE

[Mistral_23]

Hello, I recently received a TC offer from a UK law firm. They will sponsor my visa as I'm an international. My graduate visa expires in Sept 2026, which is the same time I will be starting the SQE LLM. My question is: what type of visa will the law firm give me for the year I spend studying for and taking the SQE.

I don't think it can be a skilled worker visa (SWV) because that requires a minimum salary of £34,300, and law firms pay less than that for the SQE grant. The skilled worker visa will likely start after I've completed the SQE and started training.

If not a Skilled Worker Visa, will it be a student visa? Can law firms even sponsor those and will I be required to pay?

Additionally, as I'm sure you're aware, the SQE grant offered by law firms barely covers living expenses in the current economic climate. I have developed a strong resume and qualify for other jobs with salaries ranging from £60-80K. I was wondering if I could continue working while I study for the SQE. If it is the student or SWV, there is the 20h/week limit on how much I can work - which makes having a full-time job quite challenging. I have heard of people getting double sponsorship on SWV, but apparently, employers don't like that sort of thing.

It's difficult to get clear answers online. I'd appreciate any guidance before I contact my law firm for further clarification. Thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

They won’t give you a visa. You will be on a student visa if it is an LLM course.

 

[Mistral_23]

They won’t give you a visa. You will be on a student visa if it is an LLM course.

Thanks Jess, that's good to know. Would you happen to know if the law firm would facilitate that or if I have to do it myself?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thanks Jess, that's good to know. Would you happen to know if the law firm would facilitate that or if I have to do it myself?

You will have to do it as the firm is not involved, only the academic provider.

 

[Guhan]

Hello, I recently received a TC offer from a UK law firm. They will sponsor my visa as I'm an international. My graduate visa expires in Sept 2026, which is the same time I will be starting the SQE LLM. My question is: what type of visa will the law firm give me for the year I spend studying for and taking the SQE.

I don't think it can be a skilled worker visa (SWV) because that requires a minimum salary of £34,300, and law firms pay less than that for the SQE grant. The skilled worker visa will likely start after I've completed the SQE and started training.

If not a Skilled Worker Visa, will it be a student visa? Can law firms even sponsor those and will I be required to pay?

Additionally, as I'm sure you're aware, the SQE grant offered by law firms barely covers living expenses in the current economic climate. I have developed a strong resume and qualify for other jobs with salaries ranging from £60-80K. I was wondering if I could continue working while I study for the SQE. If it is the student or SWV, there is the 20h/week limit on how much I can work - which makes having a full-time job quite challenging. I have heard of people getting double sponsorship on SWV, but apparently, employers don't like that sort of thing.

It's difficult to get clear answers online. I'd appreciate any guidance before I contact my law firm for further clarification. Thank you!

Answering your first question, i think you are eligible for skilled worker visa, considering the fact that you did your pg in uk , you are seen as a new entry and you have to be paid 70% of the standard going rate. But the current standard going rate for legal jobs other than qualified solicitors is 30k pounds and i think you have to earn around 24k to qualify for the skilled work visa.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Answering your first question, i think you are eligible for skilled worker visa, considering the fact that you did your pg in uk , you are seen as a new entry and you have to be paid 70% of the standard going rate. But the current standard going rate for legal jobs other than qualified solicitors is 30k pounds and i think you have to earn around 24k to qualify for the skilled work visa.

It will be a student visa while they are studying. A skilled persons visa can only be applied when they are employed, and future trainees are not employees while they are completing the GDL/LPC/SQE before starting their training contract.