Graduate Visa

The Graduate visa is the UK's post-study work route, allowing international students who have completed an eligible UK degree to stay and work - or look for work - without needing a sponsor. It is unsponsored, requires no job offer and no minimum salary, making it the natural bridge between studying in the UK and securing a longer-term work visa.

The route grants two years of leave for bachelor's and master's graduates and three years for doctoral graduates. During that time you can work in almost any job at any skill level, be self-employed, volunteer, or travel in and out of the UK freely.

In 2026 the Graduate visa remains in place, but the Immigration White Paper proposed shortening it from two years to 18 months for non-PhD graduates as part of a wider tightening of post-study migration. Applicants should check the current duration at the time they apply. Importantly, the Graduate visa does not itself lead to settlement - it is a transitional route, and most holders aim to switch into the Skilled Worker visa before it expires.

You must currently hold a valid Student visa (or the older Tier 4 visa) and have successfully completed an eligible course at a UK higher education provider with a track record of compliance. Eligible qualifications include a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD - and certain professional courses.

Your education provider must have reported to the Home Office that you have completed your course. You must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires. There is no salary or job offer requirement and no maintenance funds requirement. You generally must have spent a minimum period studying in the UK rather than abroad - currently 12 months of a longer course, or the full duration of a shorter course.

Step 1: Confirm your university has formally notified the Home Office that you have completed and passed your course - you do not need your certificate, just the completion confirmation.

Step 2: Ensure your Student visa is still valid; you must apply before it expires and while you are physically in the UK.

Step 3: Complete the online Graduate visa application on GOV.UK. You will need your Student visa details and your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when you studied.

Step 4: Pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge for the full length of the visa upfront.

Step 5: Verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, linking it to your existing biometric residence permit or eVisa.

Step 6: Submit and await the decision. You can stay in the UK while it is processed, even if your Student visa expires in the meantime. Once granted, your status is digital - access it through your UKVI account.

The Graduate visa application fee is around £880. The Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per year, charged for the whole visa length upfront - so roughly £2,070 for a two-year grant or £3,105 for a three-year PhD grant. There is no sponsor, so no Immigration Skills Charge applies. A two-year application therefore costs in the region of £2,950 in total. There is no priority service for this route, and dependants already in the UK as your dependants can extend alongside you for additional fees.

Graduate visa applications are usually decided within eight weeks of submission. You can remain in the UK lawfully while waiting, even if your Student visa expires during processing. Decisions can take longer at peak times - typically summer and early autumn when large cohorts graduate - so applying promptly after course completion is wise. There is no super-priority or priority service available for this route, so the standard timeline is the only option.

The Graduate visa offers broad freedom: you can work in almost any role at any skill level, switch jobs, be self-employed, and undertake voluntary work. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, claim most public funds, or extend the Graduate visa itself.

Critically, time on the Graduate visa does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain. It is a stepping stone, not a settlement route. Most holders use the two or three years to find a licensed sponsor and switch into the Skilled Worker visa, which can be done from inside the UK. With the 2026 White Paper proposing a longer settlement clock, switching early into a route that counts towards ILR is more important than ever. Plan your job search around securing sponsorship well before your Graduate visa expires.