United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · work unsponsored
Graduate visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 7 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
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
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the Graduate visa for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has typical processing of 6 weeks – 8 weeks. Sources: official United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.
What is the Graduate visa in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Graduate visa is an unsponsored United Kingdom route. Indicative government fees are Application fee (£880 as of recent cycles) plus Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. Verify on GOV.UK; indicative processing time is Typically within 8 weeks of a qualifying in-UK application; typical duration is 2 years (3 years for doctoral graduates); non-extendable. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against UK Home Office on 1 June 2026.
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.
Recent changes to this route
- UK: Graduate route shortened to 18 months for applications from 1 January 202714 October 2025
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.
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.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 BRP.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 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.
Matches these professions
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Related routes
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.
Find a regulated advisor in United KingdomHow 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: 1 June 2026