Job Discussion Forums

[torkonftw]

Hi all,

I am going to apply to a number of overseas agencies, and I'm willing to start right after graduation, but based on the time it takes to get the work visa, I'm not sure what I should list as my available start date.

Here's some specifics: I will graduate in May, with the conferral date listed as June 1, but I won't actually receive my diploma until 2-4 weeks later. Based on this, I figure I should have the diploma by really early July (1st-5th) at the latest, but I know that getting the work visa sponsored can take some time, so I'm wondering when I should list my available start date?

Thanks for any suggestions!

[deadzenpoet]

When I read through old posts, I usually see new graduates getting training dates around November so I would think at least Oct 1.

[seklarwia]

You don't really need the actual certificate. I never even submitted mine to get my first visa here.

You just need proof of a degree. This could be official transcripts, but in my case it was simply a letter of confirmation from my uni.

In my uni, graduation is merely a ceremony that happens in July and actually counts for very little. And we don't get official certificates until later in Autumn because they only print originals once per year so they wait for a little while so that confirmed resit pass students can officially graduate the same year.

But for regular students, the marks are confirmed and final transcript printouts go out in June. From this point on, the uni is willing to write confirmation letters and produce official transcripts as proof of a degree. So for start dates we just state that we graduate in June and allow the employers to work out a time frame for visas, etc.

If your uni is willing to produce confirmation of your graduation in May, then just put that you will graduate in May and are available from that date (assuming you are free).