Quick answer
The Graduate route (also called the post-study work visa) lets you stay in the UK for two years after finishing an eligible degree on a Student visa. You don't need a job offer, sponsor, or minimum salary. As of April 2026, the application costs £937 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. PhD graduates get three years instead of two.
What is the Graduate route?
The Graduate visa — called the post-study work visa by most students — lets you stay in the UK after finishing your degree without needing a job offer or employer sponsor. You apply from inside the UK, and once approved you can work in any role at any salary. There's no minimum income requirement.
It replaced the Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa in 2021 and is currently the main route international students use to buy themselves time to find work before switching to a longer-term visa.
Who qualifies?
You need to meet all four of these conditions:
- Studied in the UK on a valid Student visa (or Tier 4 for older courses).
- Your course was at degree level or above (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD) at a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.
- You completed the course and received your award. You cannot apply before your result is officially confirmed.
- You're inside the UK when you apply. Applications from abroad are not accepted.
Distance-learning-only students do not qualify. If you left the UK for a significant stretch during your studies, check your eligibility carefully before applying. Full conditions are at gov.uk/graduate-visa.
How long does it last?
- 2 years for Bachelor's and Master's graduates
- 3 years for PhD graduates
One important change coming up: for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the standard length drops to 18 months for non-PhD graduates. If you can apply before that date, you'll get the current two-year grant.
What does it cost?
As of April 2026:
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £937 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) | £1,035 |
| Total for a 2-year visa | approx. £3,007 |
PhD graduates pay the same £937 application fee plus £3,105 in IHS (3 years × £1,035), bringing the total to around £4,042. The IHS is paid upfront in full when you apply, not annually.
Check the current figures on gov.uk/graduate-visa before applying — fees have changed more than once in recent years. Most digital banks work fine for the payment, but check your daily spending limit beforehand. A sum of £3,000 routinely triggers fraud alerts.
No job offer required
The Graduate visa is unsponsored. You can use the full period to search for work, change jobs, freelance, or set up a company. There's no minimum salary and no employer to report to.
The only restrictions: you cannot work as a professional athlete, and there are limits on working as a doctor or dentist in training. See the Luodi work rights guide for a complete list of permitted activities.
This is what separates the Graduate visa from the Skilled Worker visa, which requires a job offer from a licensed employer at a qualifying salary before you can apply.
When to apply
You can submit your application up to 3 months before your expected course end date, but only once your university has confirmed you've met all requirements to graduate — including any resit results.
Most students apply once their final results are officially released. Don't let your Student visa expire before you apply. You need to be in the UK with valid leave when you submit — there's no grace period for late applications.
Standard online processing takes around 8 weeks. A priority service is available that aims to resolve applications within 5 working days. See gov.uk/graduate-visa/apply to add it when you apply.
Switching to Skilled Worker before your Graduate visa runs out
The Graduate visa cannot be extended and does not count towards the 5-year continuous residence needed for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Most people use it as a bridge to the Skilled Worker visa, which does count.
To switch, you need a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor at the relevant salary threshold. You can do this from inside the UK without leaving. Starting the job search early is the only reliable strategy — sponsored roles take time to negotiate and the visa switch adds more weeks on top.
Aim to have an offer lined up before your Graduate visa enters its final 3 months. That leaves room for delays without falling out of legal status.
For a step-by-step plan on the switching timeline, see the Luodi Graduate route guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Graduate route the same as the post-study work visa?
Yes, exactly the same thing. "Post-study work visa" is the informal name that students and employers use. The official UKVI name is the Graduate route (or Graduate visa). If you hold a Graduate visa, you hold what most people call a post-study work visa.
Can I bring dependants on the Graduate visa?
Yes. Dependants who were on your Student visa can apply to switch to Graduate visa dependant status at the same time as you. They apply separately and pay their own application fee and IHS.
Does the Graduate visa count towards settlement?
No. Time spent on the Graduate visa does not count towards the 5 continuous years needed for Indefinite Leave to Remain. You need to be on a qualifying route — Skilled Worker is the most common — for that clock to run.
What if my Student visa expires before I apply?
You'd lose permission to stay in the UK and cannot apply from abroad. Apply before expiry. Set a reminder at least 12 weeks before your Student visa runs out so you have time to get your degree confirmed and gather documents.
Can I work as a doctor on the Graduate visa?
There are restrictions. You can work as a doctor or dentist in training if you're waiting on the outcome of an application to a postgraduate training programme. A permanent clinical post requires a Health and Care Worker visa.
General information — not advice
This article provides general information about UK rules for international students. It is not financial, tax, legal, immigration or medical advice. Rules, fees and deadlines change — always confirm against the latest gov.uk guidance or speak to a qualified adviser before acting.