🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Work Visa
Graduate Visa
Post-study work visa for international students who have recently completed a UK degree. Allows 2 years of unsponsored work (3 years for PhD graduates).
- Scoring
- Employer-sponsored
- Timeline
- 15d–2mo
- Est. cost
- $2K
- Category
- Work Visa
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The Graduate visa is the UK's post-study work permit. If you completed an eligible UK degree on a Student visa, you can stay for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) to work for any UK employer, switch jobs freely, start a business, or job-hunt without restriction. No sponsor needed.
The route launched in 2021 and quickly became the default next step for international students leaving UK universities. There's no salary threshold, no skill-level requirement, and no occupation list, work in any role, including roles that wouldn't qualify under Skilled Worker. The main constraints: you must have held a UK Student visa immediately before applying, your sponsoring education provider must be on the Student sponsor list with track record status, and you must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa ends.
Graduate visa is non-extendable. It's a single-use bridge: 2-3 years to either find sponsored work (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, etc.) or to wind down and leave. About 60% of Graduate visa holders move to Skilled Worker or Global Talent before expiry; the rest leave the UK or shift to study/family routes.
Is this visa for you?
A strong fit if you…
- You're completing or just completed a UK bachelor's, master's, or PhD on a Student visa.
- You want unrestricted work rights in the UK to job-hunt or test the market without committing to a single sponsor.
- You're building a startup and want 2-3 years to validate the UK opportunity before applying for Innovator Founder.
- You're a PhD graduate and want 3 years to test the UK academic, research, or industry market.
Look elsewhere if you…
- You studied at a UK institution that's not on the Student sponsor list with track record status, some smaller private colleges don't qualify, even with valid Student visas.
- You're applying from outside the UK. Graduate visa requires you to be in the UK on Student visa status at the time of application.
- You want to extend beyond 2-3 years. The visa is non-extendable; you must switch to another route before it ends.
Key requirements
- Completed a degree at a UK higher education provider licensed by UKVI
- Held a valid UK Student visa immediately before applying
- Applied within the student visa leave period or within the permitted overlap window
- No UK job offer required
Eligibility, in plain English
Completed an eligible UK degree
You must have completed a UK bachelor's, master's, PhD, or other eligible qualification at a higher education provider with a Student sponsor licence and track record status. The course completion must be confirmed by the sponsor before you apply.
Held a UK Student visa immediately before applying
Your most recent UK visa must have been a Student visa (or Tier 4 General). You apply for Graduate visa from inside the UK while still on Student visa status, not after it expires.
Apply before Student visa expires
The application must be submitted before your Student visa ends. You can apply once your course completion is confirmed by your sponsor (typically a few weeks before the course officially ends).
2 years (bachelor's/master's) or 3 years (PhD)
Bachelor's and master's graduates get 2 years of Graduate visa. PhD graduates get 3 years. The duration is set at grant, no extensions, no top-ups.
Work for any employer, in any role
No employer sponsorship required. No salary threshold. No skill-level requirement. You can work for any UK employer in any role, including roles below RQF 6 that wouldn't qualify under Skilled Worker. Self-employment, freelancing, and starting a company are all allowed.
Not for doctors/dentists in training
One specific exclusion: Graduate visa holders can't work as a doctor or dentist in training. NHS speciality training programmes require a separate route. Most other healthcare roles are fine.
Non-extendable
Graduate visa cannot be extended. Before it expires you must either switch to another visa category (typically Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or Innovator Founder) or leave the UK. About 60% of Graduate visa holders successfully switch to Skilled Worker before expiry.
How the application actually goes
- 01
Confirm course completion with your sponsor
Once you've completed your degree, your UK education sponsor confirms completion to UKVI through the Student Sponsor Management System. You typically get notified your application can proceed.
Varies, close to course end
- 02
Online visa application
Submit the Graduate visa application via the Home Office portal while you're still in the UK on Student visa status. Pay visa fee and IHS upfront.
1 week
- 03
Biometrics (if required)
Some applicants need to attend a UKVCAS visa application centre for biometrics. Others can use the smartphone ID Check app to re-use existing biometrics, saves time and a trip.
Same day
- 04
Home Office decision
Standard processing for in-UK Graduate visa applications is 8 weeks. Priority service (£500) cuts to 5 working days. Most applications approve cleanly without RFE.
8 weeks standard
- 05
Start working
On approval, you can work for any UK employer immediately. No restrictions on job type, salary, or sector. Graduate visa duration starts from your existing Student visa expiry, so you don't 'gain' time by applying early.
- 06
Switch before expiry
Before the 2 or 3 years runs out, switch to Skilled Worker (with a sponsored offer), Global Talent (if eligible), Innovator Founder (with endorsement), or another route. Or leave the UK.
What it costs
Visa application fee
From inside the UK
£822
Immigration Health Surcharge
Paid upfront, £2,070 (2-yr) or £3,105 (3-yr)
£1,035 per year
Priority service (optional)
5 working day decision
£500
Super priority (optional)
1 working day decision
£1,000
Legal fees
Most Graduate visa applications are self-filed
£0-1,500
Total typical cost (2-year visa)
£3,000-3,500
Total typical cost (3-year PhD)
£4,000-4,500
Common pitfalls
- Applying from outside the UK. Graduate visa requires you to be in the UK on Student visa status at the time of application. Going home after graduation and applying from there doesn't work.
- Letting the Student visa expire before applying. Even one day late and you can't apply. Submit the Graduate visa application well before your Student visa ends, ideally within a few weeks of course completion confirmation.
- Treating Graduate visa as extendable. It's not. Plan the switch from day one, usually Skilled Worker.
- Forgetting the IHS is paid upfront. £2,070 or £3,105 (for 2 or 3 years) due at application, non-refundable.
- Choosing an unaccredited or non-track-record institution. Some private colleges don't qualify even with valid Student visas. Verify your education sponsor is on the track record list before counting on Graduate visa.
- Counting on a salary above £38,700 at the end of the Graduate visa for Skilled Worker switch. Many early-career roles pay less than the general threshold. Consider Immigration Salary List roles, new entrant thresholds, or building toward the £38,700 floor.
Consider these instead
UK
High Potential Individual (HPI)
If you graduated from a top-50 global university anywhere in the world (not just UK), HPI gives the same 2-3 years of unsponsored work without needing prior UK study.
Read more →
UK
Skilled Worker
If you've already found a sponsored UK role, switching directly to Skilled Worker leads to settlement in 5 years and gives long-term security.
Read more →
UK
Global Talent
If you've built up significant achievements during or after your degree (publications, awards, recognised work), Global Talent is renewable and leads to ILR in 3-5 years.
Read more →
Frequently asked
How long does Graduate visa last?
Two years for bachelor's and master's graduates; three years for PhD graduates. Non-extendable.
Can I work for any employer on Graduate visa?
Yes. No sponsor needed, no salary threshold, no occupation restriction (except doctor/dentist in training). Work for any UK employer in any role, switch jobs freely, freelance, or start a company.
Can I apply for Graduate visa from outside the UK?
No. You must be inside the UK on Student visa status when you apply. If you've left after graduation, you'd need to re-enter on another route first.
Does Graduate visa lead to ILR?
Not directly. Time on Graduate visa doesn't count toward Skilled Worker's 5-year ILR clock. You'd switch to Skilled Worker first, then start the 5-year ILR clock from that point.
Can my family come with me?
Only if they were already in the UK as your dependants while you were on Student visa. New dependants generally can't join you on Graduate visa.
How does Graduate visa compare to HPI?
Graduate visa is for UK-degree holders only; HPI is for top-50 global university graduates regardless of where they studied. Same duration (2 or 3 years), same flexibility. If you studied in the UK, Graduate visa is the right route. If you studied at a top global university outside the UK, HPI is your equivalent.
What if my Student visa is about to expire?
Apply for Graduate visa before it expires. As long as the application is submitted before Student visa ends, you maintain status while the decision is processed. Don't leave it until the last minute, administrative delays can cause problems.
Other United Kingdom visas
Work Visa
Skilled Worker
The main UK work visa for employer-sponsored roles. Requires a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor paying at least £38,700 (or the shortage occupation rate if lower).
Work Visa
Global Talent
No-sponsor visa for leaders and rising stars in digital technology, arts and culture, or science and research. Requires endorsement from a recognised body (e.g. Tech Nation, Royal Society, British Academy, UKRI).
Business / Investor
Innovator Founder
For entrepreneurs launching an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. Requires endorsement from an approved endorsing body. No fixed minimum investment since 2023 rule changes.
Work Visa
Scale-up Visa
Sponsored by a qualifying fast-growing UK company (registered scale-up sponsor). Salary ≥ £36,300. After 6 months, the holder can work for any employer without further sponsorship.
Work Visa
High Potential Individual (HPI)
No-sponsor visa for graduates of top-50 globally ranked universities (according to the UK government's approved list) awarded within the last 5 years. Gives 2-3 years to work in the UK.
Work Visa
Health and Care Worker
Fast-track, lower-cost variant of the Skilled Worker visa for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and adult social care workers employed by the NHS or a CQC-registered care provider.
Ready when you are
Find your immigration path.
Pick where you're headed. We score you against every visa we cover in that country.
1 of 4 selected.
Show me my matches, free→