United Kingdom•Europe

Open

Graduate Visa

Work Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 day – 2 months

Estimated Cost

£2,090–£4,042 GBP

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

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 a qualifying 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.

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Cost Breakdown

Application fee£937 GBP

Immigration Health Surcharge (18-month visa)£1,153 GBP

Immigration Health Surcharge (2-year visa)£2,070 GBP

Immigration Health Surcharge (3-year PhD visa)£3,105 GBP

Total£2,090–£4,042 GBP

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Validity5 years

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Innovator Founder Visa

Validity3 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Student Visa

ValidityUp to 5 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Scale-up Visa

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED 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 a qualifying 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 qualifying for a Student visa

Application Process

Complete qualifying 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

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

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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 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Validity5 years

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Innovator Founder Visa

Validity3 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Student Visa

ValidityUp to 5 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Scale-up Visa

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED 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 a qualifying 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 qualifying for a Student visa