United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · work unsponsored
Graduate visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of eligible UK higher education institutions.
- Processing time
- Typically within 8 weeks of a qualifying in-UK application.
- Government fees
- Application fee (£880 as of recent cycles) plus Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. Verify on GOV.UK.
- Typical duration
- 2 years (3 years for doctoral graduates); non-extendable.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The Graduate route provides a 2-year post-study work permission (3 years for PhD graduates) to international students who completed an eligible UK degree. It is unsponsored but cannot be extended — holders must switch to Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or other routes before it expires.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian students are consistently the largest Graduate-route cohort. The 2-year window (3 for PhD) is typically used to s…
Nigerian applicants
Nigerian Graduate-route users frequently transition into Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker sponsorships. The 2024…
Chinese applicants
Chinese graduates commonly leverage the route to pivot from study into UK-based tech and finance sponsorship. Graduate r…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Successful completion of an eligible UK degree or qualifying course.
- ✓Valid Student visa at the time of application.
- ✓Application made inside the UK before Student visa expiry.
Common blockers
- !Studied at an institution not on the Higher Education Provider list with a track record of compliance.
- !Course completion not yet confirmed to Home Office by sponsor.
Typical evidence
- ·Confirmation of course completion from the higher education sponsor.
- ·Passport and BRP.
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 work flexibly
Work for any employer at any skill level; self-employment permitted. Dependants on Student visa 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.
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
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: Application fee (£880 as of recent cycles) plus Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. Verify on GOV.UK.. A decision then typically takes 6 weeks – 8 weeks. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
Does time on the Graduate visa count toward UK settlement?+
No. The Graduate route does not itself lead to settlement and time spent on it does not count toward the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain on most onward routes.
Can I work at any skill level on the Graduate visa?+
Yes. Unlike Skilled Worker, there is no occupation or salary minimum. You can work in any role, be self-employed, or start a business.
How long does the UK Graduate visa last after I finish my degree?+
The Graduate visa gives you 2 years of post-study work permission, or 3 years if you completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification. It cannot be extended, so you must switch to another route before it expires. Confirm the current terms on GOV.UK.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the UK Graduate visa?+
No. The Graduate route is unsponsored, so you do not need a job offer or employer sponsor. You qualify by completing an eligible UK degree and holding a valid Student visa when you apply from inside the UK. See GOV.UK for the eligibility rules.
Which visas can I switch to from the UK Graduate visa before it expires?+
Because the Graduate route cannot be extended, you must move to another route before it ends, commonly Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or Innovator Founder. Plan this switch before your Graduate permission expires. Check the current switching rules on GOV.UK.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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