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Who Can Apply for a UK Graduate Visa
The Graduate visa is for international students currently in the UK on a Student visa who want to stay and work after completing their course.
To qualify, you must:
Be in the UK with a valid Student or Tier 4 visa
Have successfully completed a graduate or postgraduate course
Have studied at a UK university registered as a sponsor with a good compliance record
Have studied in the UK for at least 12 months, or the full course length if shorter than 12 months
Have confirmation from your university that you completed your studies
There are no financial requirements, no need for a job offer, and you aren’t required to work during the Graduate visa period. You can also study on this visa, but check if extending your Student visa might be better since you can only use the Graduate route once.
Documents Required for Graduate Visa Application
Valid passport
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) showing current student leave
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number
If you received a scholarship, a letter from your sponsor confirming no objection to you staying on the Graduate route
If applying with partner and children, fresh evidence of relationship (previous submissions cannot be reused)
Dependants of a UK Graduate
If your dependants were with you during your Student visa, they can apply with you for further leave to remain on the Graduate route. If they were not in the UK while you studied, they must join you before your Student visa expires to stay with you during your Graduate visa period.
Graduate visa FAQs
How long the Graduate visa is for?
The Graduate visa duration:
2 years for bachelor’s or master’s degree graduates
3 years for PhD or doctorate graduates
What’s the earliest I can apply for the Graduate visa?
You can apply for the Graduate visa as soon as your university confirms you’ve successfully completed your course — no need to wait for graduation.
Usually, there’s no rush since your Student visa often lets you work outside term time. But if you plan to travel after finishing your course, it’s best to apply before leaving the UK.
What’s the latest I can apply for the Graduate visa?
The latest you can apply for the Graduate visa is on the day your Student visa expires. You must apply while you are still in the UK.
Qualifications required for the Graduate visa
Qualifications required for the Graduate visa include:
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
PhD or doctorate
Additionally, the following courses also qualify:
Law conversion course (GDL or PGDL) validated by the Joint Academic Stage Board in England and Wales
Legal Practice Course (LPC) in England and Wales, Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland
Bar Practice Course (BPC) in England and Wales, or Bar Course in Northern Ireland
Foundation programme in Medicine or Dentistry
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
Professional courses that qualify you to work in a regulated profession (confirmation from your education provider required)
What happens if I don't get my Graduate visa before my student visa expires?
If you apply for your Graduate visa and pay the Home Office fee before your Student visa expires, you can legally stay in the UK while your Graduate visa application is being processed—even if your Student visa expires during that time. So, as long as your application is submitted on time, you don’t need to worry about overstaying
Graduate visa application fees
Graduate visa application fees:
Application fee: £822
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £624 per year (£1,248 for 2 years, £1,872 for 3 years)
Dependants pay the same application fee.
Children under 18 pay a reduced IHS of £470 per year.
If you or your dependants work in public sector healthcare, you may be eligible for an IHS refund
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What can one do on a Graduate visa
What you can do on a Graduate visa:
Work in any job or start your own business with no restrictions.
You don’t have to work if you don’t want to and can spend your time in the UK as you wish.
Travel freely in and out of the UK.
Change jobs or try different roles as many times as you like.
Switch to other work visa routes, but you cannot return to the Graduate visa once you leave it.
The Graduate visa is granted only once and cannot be extended or reapplied for.
What opportunities are there after the Graduate visa
Opportunities after the Graduate visa:
You can switch to other UK immigration routes while staying in the UK or leave and return under a work visa.
Common options include Skilled Worker, Scale-up Worker, Global Talent, or Exceptional Promise routes.
As a Skilled Worker, you may keep “new entrant” status for 2 years after your Graduate visa expires.
If you find a job, your employer can sponsor you with a sponsor licence or certificate of sponsorship.
If you start a business during your Graduate visa, your business might sponsor you as a Skilled Worker, provided there is a settled senior worker responsible for the sponsor licence.