United Kingdom•Europe

Open

Graduate Visa

Work Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1-56 days

Application Fee

7,264.5 GBP

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Allowed

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Post-study visa for international students who completed a UK degree, allowing 2-3 years of unrestricted work.

The UK Graduate visa lets international students stay and work after completing an eligible undergraduate, master's, or doctoral degree at a licensed UK higher education provider. No job offer is needed — holders can work in any sector, switch jobs, or be self-employed without sponsorship.

Stay is 2 years for bachelor's/master's graduates (applications by 31 Dec 2026), 18 months from January 2027, or 3 years for PhD holders. The visa cannot be extended and does not count toward ILR, but holders can switch to Skilled Worker or other routes from within the UK. Dependants may apply to join.

This visa is ideal for recent international graduates who want flexible, sponsor-free work experience in the UK before transitioning to a long-term visa route.

Fee Breakdown

Application fee	937 GBP
Immigration Health Surcharge (18-month visa)	1,152.5 GBP
Immigration Health Surcharge (2-year visa)	2,070 GBP
Immigration Health Surcharge (3-year PhD visa)	3,105 GBP

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing5-56 days

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Validity5 years

Processing15-21 days

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Innovator Founder Visa

Validity3 years

Processing14-28 days

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing3 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Student Visa

ValidityUp to 5 years

Processing15-21 days

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Scale-up Visa

Validity2 years

Processing14-28 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be in the UK at the time of application.

Must currently hold a valid Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.

Must have successfully completed an eligible course (e.g., bachelor's, master's, PhD, or specific professional qualifications like PGCE or law conversion).

The education provider must be a licensed sponsor with a track record of compliance.

Must have studied in the UK for the minimum required period (the full course duration if under 12 months, or at least 12 months for longer courses).

The education provider must have notified the Home Office of the course completion.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or other travel document.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from the original student visa application.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or online proof of immigration status (eVisa).

Proof of relationship for any dependants (if applicable).

Evidence of scholarship/sponsorship approval (if applicable).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Work in almost any job, sector, or occupation without restriction
Self-employment and freelancing permitted
Unpaid voluntary work for registered charities/statutory bodies allowed
Dependant partner and children (from original Student visa) may apply
May remain in UK during processing — no need to travel abroad
Can switch to Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or other routes from within the UK

Worth Knowing

Cannot be extended — must switch to another visa route to remain in the UK
Applications submitted from January 2027 will receive only 18 months (not 2 years)
Cannot travel outside UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man while application is pending
No access to UK public funds or benefits
Cannot pursue a professional sports career
No access to the State Pension
Study only permitted if the course is not eligible for a Student visa

Application Process

Complete eligible course at a licensed UK education provider

Await education provider's confirmation to the Home Office

Apply online from within the UK before current visa expires

Pay application fee (£937) and Immigration Health Surcharge

Await decision (up to 8 weeks); may remain in the UK during processing

Verified Claims (20)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Complete eligible course at a licensed UK education provider; Await education provider's confirmatio…	gov.uk
Dependent Visa	Dependents allowed	gov.uk
Fee Breakdown	Application fee: 937 GBP; Immigration Health Surcharge (18-month visa): 1152.5 GBP; Immigration Heal…	gov.uk
Fees	£937 application fee + £1,035/year IHS (£1,152.50 for 18-month; £2,070 for 2-year; £3,105 for 3-year…	gov.uk
Forms	—	gov.uk
Included Nationalities	—	gov.uk
Job Offer Required	false	gov.uk
Application Portal	https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/apply	gov.uk

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Check Eligibility

Overview

Post-study visa for international students who completed a UK degree, allowing 2-3 years of unrestricted work.

This visa is ideal for recent international graduates who want flexible, sponsor-free work experience in the UK before transitioning to a long-term visa route.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing5-56 days

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Validity5 years

Processing15-21 days

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Innovator Founder Visa

Validity3 years

Processing14-28 days

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing3 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Student Visa

ValidityUp to 5 years

Processing15-21 days

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Scale-up Visa

Validity2 years

Processing14-28 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be in the UK at the time of application.

Must currently hold a valid Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.

Must have successfully completed an eligible course (e.g., bachelor's, master's, PhD, or specific professional qualifications like PGCE or law conversion).

The education provider must be a licensed sponsor with a track record of compliance.

Must have studied in the UK for the minimum required period (the full course duration if under 12 months, or at least 12 months for longer courses).

The education provider must have notified the Home Office of the course completion.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or other travel document.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from the original student visa application.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or online proof of immigration status (eVisa).

Proof of relationship for any dependants (if applicable).

Evidence of scholarship/sponsorship approval (if applicable).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Work in almost any job, sector, or occupation without restriction
Self-employment and freelancing permitted
Unpaid voluntary work for registered charities/statutory bodies allowed
Dependant partner and children (from original Student visa) may apply
May remain in UK during processing — no need to travel abroad
Can switch to Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or other routes from within the UK

Worth Knowing

Cannot be extended — must switch to another visa route to remain in the UK
Applications submitted from January 2027 will receive only 18 months (not 2 years)
Cannot travel outside UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man while application is pending
No access to UK public funds or benefits
Cannot pursue a professional sports career
No access to the State Pension
Study only permitted if the course is not eligible for a Student visa