United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Graduate visa processing time
GOV.UK publishes an 8-week target for Graduate route applications; applicants must apply from inside the UK before their Student visa expires.
Typical window
6 weeks – 8 weeks
Government fees
Application fee (£880 as of recent cycles) plus Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. Verify on GOV.UK.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Graduate visa sits in the work unsponsored category. Typical duration: 2 years (3 years for doctoral graduates); non-extendable.. Indicative government fees: Application fee (£880 as of recent cycles) plus Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. Verify on GOV.UK..
- Does not require a sponsor.
- Non-settlement route.
- Suited for: Recent graduates of UK universities on the qualifying list, Those needing time to find sponsored employment, Early-career professionals exploring the UK labour market.
Primary source
GOV.UK — Graduate visa
https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Graduate visa take to process?
GOV.UK publishes an 8-week target for Graduate route applications; applicants must apply from inside the UK before their Student visa expires. These figures come from GOV.UK — Graduate visa and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.