Comparison guide
Post-Study Work Routes: UK Graduate, Ireland Stamp 1G, Canada PGWP, Australia 485
A comparison of the main English-speaking post-study work routes and how each affects settlement pathways.
Last reviewed:
International students close to graduationProspective students comparing destinations by settlement pathwayWhat does Post-Study Work Routes: UK Graduate, Ireland Stamp 1G, Canada PGWP, Australia 485 compare?
A comparison of the main English-speaking post-study work routes and how each affects settlement pathways. It compares Graduate visa, Stamp 4 permission, Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), Australian Student visa (subclass 500), with each route linked to its primary government source.
Verified against UK Home Office on 10 September 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for each route covered in this comparison. Click any visa for the full guide.
| Country | Route | Sponsor? | Duration | Leads to PR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Graduate visa | No | 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. | No |
| Ireland | Stamp 4 permission | No | Employment-based upgrades are renewable every 2 years for the qualifying 21-month group and every year for the 57-month group. Other Stamp 4 bases have their own duration and conditions. | Yes |
| Canada | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | No | Up to 3 years. | No |
| Australia | Australian Student visa (subclass 500) | Yes | Programme length plus small buffer. | No |
Detailed comparison
The UK Graduate visa provides 2 years of unsponsored work (3 for PhD holders) and is a common bridge to Skilled Worker sponsorship.
Ireland’s Third Level Graduate Scheme (Stamp 1G) provides 12 months (bachelor’s) or up to 24 months (master’s/PhD) of post-study work authorisation.
Canada’s PGWP was significantly tightened in 2024–early 2025: private-college PPP graduates lost eligibility, field-of-study restrictions were introduced, and language-test requirements were added for most applicants.
Australia’s Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) has been reshaped to a Post‑Higher Education Work stream and a Post‑Vocational Education Work stream following the 2024–2025 Migration Strategy reforms.
Full guides for each route
Each link takes you to the complete visa guide — eligibility, step-by-step pathway, fees, processing time, and FAQs.
Graduate visa· United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of eligible UK higher education institutions.
No sponsorship needed · 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.
Stamp 4 permission· Republic of Ireland
Time-limited Irish residence permission allowing employment without an employment permit and business activity, subject to the permission conditions. An employment-based Stamp 4 upgrade is separate from Long Term Residency and citizenship.
No sponsorship needed · Employment-based upgrades are renewable every 2 years for the qualifying 21-month group and every year for the 57-month group. Other Stamp 4 bases have their own duration and conditions.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)· Canada
Open work permit for graduates of eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institutions.
No sponsorship needed · Up to 3 years.
Australian Student visa (subclass 500)· Commonwealth of Australia
Study visa for international students enrolled at CRICOS-registered institutions.
Requires sponsorship · Programme length plus small buffer.
Source basis
This comparison is based on the official government portals and primary route sources for the visas named on this page. Open each full guide for eligibility, fees, processing time and action links.
Reviewed
Primary sources
- GOV.UK — Browse visas and immigration
UK Home Office - verified
- Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice (Ireland) - verified
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
IRCC - verified
- Department of Home Affairs — Immigration and citizenship
Department of Home Affairs (Australia) - verified
- GOV.UK — Graduate visa
UK Home Office - verified
- ISD — Immigration permission and stamps
Immigration Service Delivery - verified
- IRCC — Post-Graduation Work Permit
IRCC - verified
- Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500)
Department of Home Affairs - verified
Frequently asked questions
Which post-study work route offers the longest unsponsored period?+
For a qualifying master’s or PhD graduate, Canada’s PGWP (up to 3 years) has historically been among the longest, followed by Australia’s subclass 485 (variable by qualification under the 2024 reforms) and the UK Graduate visa (3 years for PhD, 2 years otherwise).
Which destination has the clearest bridge from post-study work to permanent residence?+
Canada has the most formalised bridge: PGWP time counts as Canadian work experience toward Express Entry under the Canadian Experience Class, and federal STEM-category draws preference such candidates. The UK requires switching from the Graduate visa to the Skilled Worker route before any time counts toward Indefinite Leave to Remain. Ireland’s Stamp 1G pipes into Critical Skills Employment Permits. Australia’s 485 reshaping has narrowed the direct PR path, with skill-assessment and points-test requirements re-emphasised.
Can I apply to more than one post-study work route at once?+
Only one per country — each post-study route is tied to completing studies in that country and cannot be stacked. However, a graduate can pursue sequential routes: finishing UK studies on the Graduate visa, then starting a new master’s in Canada to open PGWP eligibility, is a valid (if rare) strategy. Always verify that study-abroad visa conditions permit a subsequent study application before committing.
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