Graduate visa
Last verified 4 September 2026 against GOV.UK sources·Page updated 5 September 2026
| Who qualifies | Completed an eligible UK degree or other qualifying course while holding Student permission |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 years now; 18 months for applications from 1 Jan 2027 (PhD: 3 years) |
| Sponsorship | None — work for any employer, or be self-employed |
| Fee | £937 plus IHS £1,035 a year |
| Extension | Not extendable — switch to another route before it ends |
| Settlement | No — switch to a settlement route |
The Graduate visa lets international students stay and work in the UK after finishing their degree, with no sponsor and no salary requirement. It is the standard bridge between study and a long-term work visa.
The 2027 change
Applications made by 31 December 2026 receive two years (three for doctoral graduates). Applications made on or after 1 January 2027 receive 18 months instead — the three-year doctoral period stays. If you finish your course in late 2026, applying before the year ends locks in the longer period. You must apply from inside the UK while your Student visa is still valid.
What you can do
Almost any work: employed, self-employed, freelance, at any salary. The main exclusion is professional sportsperson roles. You can also travel in and out of the UK freely. Dependants cannot generally join you fresh on this route — family members who already held dependant permission during your studies can extend alongside you, and (since 3 August 2026) a child born in the UK during your Graduate permission can also apply as a dependant.
Using the time well
The Graduate visa cannot be extended, and the time does not count towards Skilled Worker settlement. Treat it as a runway: the usual goal is a job that meets the Skilled Worker eligibility requirements before the visa runs out. With the higher thresholds in force since 2025, starting the job search early matters more than it used to. High-achievers may also consider Global Talent.
Route to settlement and citizenship
- Graduate visa
- Skilled Worker visa
- Indefinite Leave to Remain
- British citizenship
The Graduate route does not lead directly to settlement. Most people use it to find sponsored work and switch to Skilled Worker, from which the five-year ILR period runs. Graduate time can count towards the 10-year Long Residence route.
Citizenship follows the normal path once you have ILR on a settlement route.
Related guides
- Student visa CAS, money requirements, work rights and who can bring family — the main route for courses with a licensed UK education provider.
- Skilled Worker visa Sponsorship, the £41,700 salary threshold, degree-level job requirement, B2 English and the path to settlement — the UK's main work visa explained.