Graduate visa route

Last updated 4 January 2024

Overview 

The Graduate visa gives permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK.

The graduate visa will start from the day the application is approved and lasts for 2 years, or 3 years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification.

It is an unsponsored visa route, therefore, the individual can switch employers and there are no restrictions on working hours.

There is no option of extending the Graduate visa and therefore if an individual wishes to remain in the UK, they will need to look at switching to a different visa category, for example, a Skilled Worker visa. Please view the Skilled Worker visa information page for further information on eligibility for this visa type.

Eligibility

For a student to be eligible for a Graduate visa, they must meet the criteria below:

  • Currently in the UK
  • Current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (general) student visa
  • They studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time on their Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
  • The education provider (e.g. university or college) has confirmed successful completion of the course

The UKVI website provides further information on whether the course studied is eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

The application fees are available below and as part of the visa application, you must pay an NHS Surcharge. 

You can find all the documents you require below.

If your partner and / or children joined you in the UK as ‘dependents’ on your current Student visa (or Tier 4 General student visa) then they can apply to stay as dependents on your Graduate visa.  For more information on eligibility for the dependents Graduate visa and the link for them to apply, please visit the UKVI Graduate visa webpage. Everyone will need to complete a separate application form and pay the fee. 

Once you have completed the application process, including proving your identity and providing your documents, the decision will be received within 8 weeks. While you await the decision you can stay in the UK. 

This depends on the individual’s situation and the role that the individual is applying to or been offered. It is advisable that prior to applying for a job the applicant ensures that they investigate whether they would have leave to remain beyond the graduate visa to fulfil the open-ended contract. For example, at the end of the graduate visa would they and the role meet the criteria to switch into the Skilled Worker visa. If the applicant is not sure they can contact the Recruitment and Resourcing Team.  As a recruiting manager, please ensure you discuss with Human Resources if the role you wish to offer is open-ended and the applicant is on a Graduate visa, prior to making the offer where possible.  

Useful information

UKVI Graduate visa page