What is the UK Graduate Visa?
The Graduate Visa (also known as the Graduate Route or Post-Study Work visa) allows international students who have successfully completed a qualifying UK degree to stay in the UK to work, look for work, or be self-employed. No employer sponsorship, no job offer, and no salary threshold are required. The visa is valid for 2 years for bachelor's and master's graduates (reducing to 18 months from 1 January 2027), or 3 years for PhD holders. It cannot be extended. To remain in the UK beyond this period, you must switch to another visa route — most commonly the Skilled Worker visa — before the Graduate visa expires. Time on the Graduate visa does not count toward the 5-year Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) qualifying period.
Note: Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You must meet four requirements for the Graduate Visa. You can only hold Graduate permission once — it cannot be renewed or applied for a second time.
You must have successfully completed a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree, or other eligible course at or above degree level from a Home Office-approved education provider with a track record of compliance. Your education provider must have notified the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony or physical certificate — the notification from your institution is sufficient.
You must hold a valid Student or Tier 4 (General) student permission at the time of application. You cannot switch to the Graduate route from any other visa type (Visitor, Short-term Student, or any other route). You must apply before your Student visa expires.
You must be physically present in the UK when you submit the application. If you leave the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man) while your application is pending, it is automatically withdrawn. Do not travel while waiting for a decision.
You must have studied in the UK for the minimum period required for your course — typically at least 12 months (or the full duration of the course if shorter than 12 months). Distance learning or periods spent studying entirely outside the UK may affect eligibility.
What you need to apply
You apply online through the gov.uk portal. No employer involvement is needed.
If you do not have any of the documents below, you can read the FAQs section below for further guidance.
Application fee: £937 per applicant. Non-refundable if the application is refused.
Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year of visa granted. For a 2-year visa: £2,070. For a 3-year PhD visa: £3,105. Payable upfront at the time of application. Gives access to the National Health Service (NHS) on the same basis as a permanent resident.
Find the most up-to-date information here.
What to expect, step by step
From course completion to visa decision typically takes 2–10 weeks. The process is straightforward — the main risk is timing, not documentation.
Most common delay: University notification timing. UKVI cannot process the application until the university has confirmed course completion. Some universities take 1–4 weeks after final results to submit the notification. If your Student visa is close to expiring and the university has not yet submitted the notification, contact your international student team urgently.
Your university must notify UKVI that you have successfully completed your course. This happens after your grades are finalised — not after the graduation ceremony. Each university has its own process and timing (typically 1–4 weeks after final results). Contact your international student team to confirm when the notification will be submitted.
Apply online through gov.uk. Pay the application fee (£937) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year). Verify your identity using the ID Check app or by booking a biometric appointment. You must submit the application before your Student visa expires.
The Home Office aims to process most Graduate visa applications within 8 weeks. You can remain in the UK and continue working under your Student visa conditions while waiting (this is called Section 3C leave). Do not leave the Common Travel Area while your application is pending — departure automatically withdraws the application.
Upon approval, you receive an eVisa. The visa starts on the date of approval — not the date you applied. You can now work in any job, take multiple jobs, be self-employed, or start a business without any sponsorship or salary restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
No. The Graduate visa cannot be extended and can only be held once. To remain in the UK after it expires, you must switch to another visa route — most commonly the Skilled Worker visa, which requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor paying at least the relevant salary threshold. Start planning your next visa route 12–15 months into your Graduate visa to allow time for job searching and application processing.
No. Time spent on the Graduate visa does not count toward the 5-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To reach ILR, you must switch to a settlement-eligible route (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, or Spouse visa). Time on the Graduate visa may count toward the 10-year long residence route, subject to continuous and lawful residence requirements — but this is not the standard path.
Only existing dependants. If your spouse or children already held Student dependant permission, they can apply to extend their stay under the Graduate route. New dependants cannot join you under the Graduate visa — if your partner was not already in the UK on a Student dependant visa, they cannot apply as your dependant under this route. Each dependant pays their own application fee (£937) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year).
Budget £3,000–£5,200 per applicant. The application fee is £937. The Immigration Health Surcharge is £2,070 for a 2-year visa or £3,105 for a 3-year PhD visa. If your spouse is also applying as a dependant, double the total. These fees are non-refundable if the application is refused.
Yes. The Graduate visa allows unrestricted work rights, including self-employment and starting a business. The only restriction is that you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. This is one of the most flexible work rights of any UK visa route.
Applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027 will receive 18 months of permission instead of 2 years. PhD holders are unaffected and will continue to receive 3 years. If you are completing your degree in late 2026 or early 2027, the date you submit your application — not your graduation date — determines which duration you receive. If your university confirms course completion before 31 December 2026 and you submit the application before that date, you receive 2 years.
The Graduate visa does not require a job offer, but finding employment during the 2-year (or 18-month) window is critical for your long-term stay in the UK. To switch to a Skilled Worker visa before the Graduate visa expires, you need a sponsored job offer. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in the United Kingdom. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city, and seniority level to find sponsored roles that match your qualifications.
Find visa-sponsored jobs in United Kingdom
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in the United Kingdom. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city, and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
Other visas you may qualify for
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