UK Graduate Visa and Post-Study Work
The Graduate visa lets an international student who has finished a qualifying course stay in the UK to work or look for work. Its duration changes from 1 January 2027, so timing matters. This page describes UK rules. Based on the official GOV.UK guidance, September 2026.
Who can apply
- You are in the UK and hold a Student (or Tier 4) visa.
- You have completed a qualifying course.
- Your institution has told the Home Office that you finished.
You apply before your Student visa expires. You cannot extend the Graduate visa, but you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa.
How long it lasts
| Apply on or before 31 Dec 2026 | 2 years |
| Apply from 1 Jan 2027 | 18 months |
| PhD | 3 years |
Fees
| Application fee | £937 |
| Health surcharge | £1,035 per year |
| 18 months | £1,152.50 |
| 2 years | £2,070 |
| 3 years | £3,105 |
Applying
- Apply online. Verify your identity with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a UKVCAS centre.
- A decision usually takes 8 weeks.
- If granted you get an eVisa; create a UKVI account to access it.
- Do not leave the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before a decision, or the application is withdrawn.
Documents
- A valid passport.
- Your CAS reference number.
- Your BRP — usable until 24 months after the card's expiry or 31 December 2026, whichever is sooner.
- Relationship evidence for dependants, and a consent letter from a scholarship sponsor where relevant.
- Non-English or Welsh documents need a certified translation.
After the Graduate visa
You can switch to a Skilled Worker visa: you need a Certificate of Sponsorship and to meet an eligible occupation and salary threshold. The fee is £819 to £1,865 depending on where and for how long you apply, the health surcharge is £1,035 per year, and maintenance is £1,270. A decision takes about 8 weeks inside the UK or 3 weeks outside. After 5 years you may apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Common pitfalls
- Applying before your institution has told the Home Office you finished.
- Missing your Student visa expiry date.
- Leaving the UK (or Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) before a decision — it withdraws the application.
- Miscalculating the duration: from 2027 it is only 18 months.
- An expired BRP or a lost CAS number.
- Uncertified translations of non-English documents.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Graduate visa?
You must be in the UK, currently on a Student (or Tier 4) visa, have completed a qualifying course, and your institution must have told the Home Office you finished.
How long is the Graduate visa valid?
If you apply on or before 31 December 2026 it is 2 years; from 1 January 2027 it is 18 months; a PhD is 3 years. It cannot be extended.
How much does it cost?
The application fee is £937, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year — for example £1,152.50 for 18 months, £2,070 for 2 years and £3,105 for 3 years.
Can I leave the UK while it is being decided?
No. If you leave the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before a decision, the application is withdrawn.
What documents do I need?
A valid passport, your CAS reference number and your BRP (usable until 24 months after the card's expiry or 31 December 2026, whichever is sooner). Non-English or Welsh documents need a certified translation.
Can I switch to a work visa afterwards?
Yes. After the Graduate visa you can move to a Skilled Worker visa, which needs a Certificate of Sponsorship and meets a salary threshold; after 5 years you may apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Related: the switching visa inside the UK guide, the UK immigration ID Check app, document translation and copies, and the UK visa documents checklist.
Source: GOV.UK, "Graduate visa" pages and "Skilled Worker visa" pages — retrieved 2026-09-29. Rules and fees change, so confirm the current position on the official page at the time you apply.