The Graduate Visa allows international students who have successfully completed an eligible UK qualification to stay in the UK to look for and undertake work without sponsorship.
How long you can stay
- Bachelor’s or Master’s: 2 years
- PhD or doctorate: 3 years
Important: from 1 January 2027, new Graduate visa applications will receive 18 months of permission instead of the current 2 years. PhD and doctorate holders will continue to receive 3 years. Applications made before that date receive the current grant.
Eligible study must have been at an approved UK Higher Education Provider (opens in new tab).
Eligible qualifications
- A UK bachelor’s degree
- A UK master’s degree
- A UK PhD or doctorate
- An SRA-approved law conversion course
- The Legal Practice Course (England & Wales), Solicitors Course (Northern Ireland), or Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Scotland)
- The Bar Practice Course (England & Wales) or Bar Course (Northern Ireland)
- A foundation programme in medicine or dentistry
- A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE) or Diploma (PGDE) in Education
What you can do on a Graduate visa
Any kind of work — paid or unpaid employment, voluntary work, self-employment — except working as a professional sportsperson. There is no requirement to work at all.
Family members
Your partner or child can apply only if they are already in the UK on your current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. They can also work.
Switching afterwards
When your Graduate visa expires you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you meet its conditions.
The Graduate visa does not count toward the 5-year settlement route to Indefinite Leave to Remain, but it can count toward the 10-year long-residence route if combined with other UK visas. Note that from April 2026, the standard qualifying period for settlement under the earned settlement framework has increased to 10 years; transitional provisions apply to existing visa holders.
The IHS for the Graduate visa is currently £776 per year (reduced student rate).
Regulated UK immigration advice is provided through our associated firm, Kaya Legal Consultancy Ltd, registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA ref F202100331).
Contact us to book a 10-minute eligibility call.