UK Graduate Visa
Completed your studies in the UK? The Graduate visa can allow eligible students to stay and work in the UK after completing their course. We provide clear guidance and practical support with your application.
Is the Graduate Visa Right for You?
The Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK to work or look for work after successfully completing an eligible course of study in the UK. You don’t need a job offer or an employer to sponsor you, and you can work at any skill level. We help you check your eligibility, apply correctly and plan your next step after the Graduate route.
You Have Completed Your Course
You have successfully completed an eligible UK course while holding Student or Tier 4 permission.
You Want to Work in the UK
You want to stay in the UK to work or look for work after completing your studies.
You Want to Stay Without Sponsorship
The Graduate route is unsponsored, so you do not need an employer to sponsor you for this visa.
You Plan to Move to Another Route
You want to use your time on the Graduate route before potentially switching to another immigration route, such as Skilled Worker.
How we help
Key Things to Know
- No Employer Sponsorship Required: The Graduate route is an unsponsored immigration route.
- You Must Apply in the UK: You must be in the UK when you apply for the Graduate visa.
- Work & Self-Employment: Graduate visa holders can generally work in most jobs, look for work and be self-employed, subject to the route’s conditions.
- It Cannot Be Extended: You cannot extend a Graduate visa, but you may be able to switch to another immigration route if you meet its requirements.
How Long Can You Stay?
- Apply on or before 31 December 2026: 2 Years
- Apply on or after 1 January 2027: 18 Months
- PhD or other doctoral qualification: 3 Years
FAQs
No. You must be in the UK when you apply.
No. The Graduate route does not require you to have a job or employer sponsorship when you apply. It allows eligible graduates to work or look for work in the UK.
The Graduate visa generally allows work in most jobs, but there are restrictions, including not being able to work as a professional sportsperson.
Yes. Self-employment is permitted under the Graduate route.
Eligible dependants may be able to apply, subject to the dependant rules. Your partner or children need to make their own applications.
No. You cannot extend the Graduate visa itself. You may, however, be able to switch to another visa route if you meet its requirements.
The Graduate route itself is not a route to settlement. You may later be able to switch to another route that has a settlement pathway if you meet that route’s requirements.