Indian applicants · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Graduate visa for Indian citizens
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 7 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of eligible UK higher education institutions.
This page covers the Graduate visa specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.
- Processing time
- 8 weeksin-country application after identity verification and document submission; this is a published target, not a guaranteed maximum or an end-to-end graduation-to-visa estimate
- Government fees
- £937 application fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, usually £1,035 for each year of permission. Verify the current total on GOV.UK.
- Typical duration
- 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027; 3 years for PhD or other doctoral graduates. Non-extendable.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Bilateral context
- Commonwealth
Filing context: Use this in-country GOV.UK application before your Student permission expires.
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Graduate visa is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
8 weeks
GOV.UK says a Graduate visa decision usually arrives within 8 weeks after you apply online, prove your identity and provide the required documents; applicants must apply from inside the UK before their Student visa expires.
in-country application after identity verification and document submission; this is a published target, not a guaranteed maximum or an end-to-end graduation-to-visa estimate
Verified 10 September 2026 · GOV.UK — Graduate visa
Settlement depends on the route
The Graduate route does not itself lead to settlement. A later Skilled Worker route may have its own 5-year settlement requirements, while the separate 10-year long-residence route has its own lawful-continuous-residence rules; check the current GOV.UK requirements for the route you rely on.
Read the route guide and its official sourcesVisa overview
The Graduate route provides permission after successful completion of an eligible UK course. It lasts 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, and 3 years for PhD or other doctoral graduates. It is unsponsored but cannot be extended — holders must switch to another eligible route before it expires.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Successful completion of an eligible UK degree or qualifying course.UK Home Office ↗
- ✓Valid Student visa at the time of application.UK Home Office ↗
- ✓Application made inside the UK before Student visa expiry.UK Home Office ↗
Common blockers
- !Studied at an institution not on the Higher Education Provider list with a track record of compliance.UK Home Office ↗
- !Course completion not yet confirmed to Home Office by sponsor.UK Home Office ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Confirmation of course completion from the higher education sponsor.UK Home Office ↗
- ·Passport and, where applicable, your BRP or other current immigration-status evidence.UK Home Office ↗
Application pathway
Complete your UK degree
Finish the qualifying programme and await confirmation from your institution to the Home Office.
Apply before Student visa expires
File the Graduate application in-country before Student permission lapses.
Begin permitted work
Work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed or do voluntary work; professional-sportsperson work is not permitted. Dependants on Student permission may extend if eligible.
Plan your next route before expiry
The Graduate route cannot be extended. Switch to Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, or other eligible route before expiry.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United Kingdom. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantApply for the Graduate visa ↗
Use this in-country GOV.UK application before your Student permission expires.
UK Home Office · verified
- Official guidanceSchoolReport course completion ↗
Student sponsors use the official sponsor guidance to report successful course completion before the applicant applies.
UK Home Office · verified
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 14 October 2025In force 1 January 2027
UK: Graduate route shortened to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027
The 14 October 2025 Statement of Changes cuts the Graduate route from 2 years to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027; PhD graduates keep 3 years.
UK Home Office
Other United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland routes covered for Indian applicants
Skilled Worker visa
Work visa for non-UK workers with a job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation.
Health and Care Worker visa
Discounted Skilled Worker route for eligible NHS, adult social care, and allied health roles.
Global Talent visa
Unsponsored visa for leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts, culture, or digital technology.
High Potential Individual visa
Unsponsored work visa for graduates of a time-limited list of top global universities.
Innovator Founder visa
Endorsement-based visa for founders launching an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK.
Scale-up visa
Sponsored route for workers joining qualifying fast-growing UK scale-up businesses, with faster settlement timelines.
Student visa
Study visa for international students enrolled with a licensed Student sponsor at eligible UK institutions.
Family visa (partner/spouse)
Visa for partners of British citizens, settled persons, or certain other qualifying sponsors.
Not sure United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work unsponsored routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Graduate visa?+
Eligibility for the Graduate visa is set by UK Home Office. Indian applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Graduate visa?+
Use this in-country GOV.UK application before your Student permission expires.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well?+
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Graduate visa is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How long does the Graduate visa take to process from India?+
GOV.UK says a Graduate visa decision usually arrives within 8 weeks after you apply online, prove your identity and provide the required documents; applicants must apply from inside the UK before their Student visa expires. in-country application after identity verification and document submission; this is a published target, not a guaranteed maximum or an end-to-end graduation-to-visa estimate Source: GOV.UK — Graduate visa, verified 10 September 2026.
Does time on the Graduate visa count toward UK settlement?+
The Graduate route does not itself lead to settlement. A later Skilled Worker route may have its own 5-year settlement requirements, while the separate 10-year long-residence route has its own lawful-continuous-residence rules; check the current GOV.UK requirements for the route you rely on.
Can I work at any skill level on the Graduate visa?+
You can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed, or do voluntary work. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, and the official conditions shown with your grant apply.
How we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: UK Home Office
Last checked: 10 September 2026