Graduate Route After Study

To be eligible for the Graduate Route visa, you must:

• Have successfully completed a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, PhD, or other qualifying course (check the full list on GOV.UK) at a UK higher education institution that holds a Student sponsor licence
• Have been studying in the UK on a Student visa (or Tier 4 visa) when you completed the course — you cannot apply on a Visitor visa or other route
• Apply before your current Student visa expires
• Not have previously been granted the Graduate Route
• Be in the UK when you apply

The application is made online and does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship. Your institution will confirm your successful completion of the course to UKVI. You do not need to wait for your official degree certificate before applying — most universities can provide a completion letter for immigration purposes.

The Graduate Route is one of the most flexible UK visa routes available. During your Graduate Route leave you can:

• Work in any type of job — There are no occupation restrictions, and no minimum salary requirement. You can work in roles that would not qualify for the Skilled Worker visa.
• Work for any employer — Without the need for a sponsor licence. You can change jobs freely.
• Be self-employed — Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the Graduate Route allows self-employment.
• Study — Although you do not need to study, you can do so.
• Bring dependants — Your partner and children can also apply for dependent visas on the Graduate Route, provided they were your dependant on your Student visa immediately before you applied.

The Graduate Route does not lead directly to settlement (ILR). Time spent on the Graduate Route can count toward the 5-year qualifying period for ILR only if you subsequently switch to a visa route that counts toward settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa.

The application process for the Graduate Route is simpler than most other UK visa routes:

• Apply online through the UKVI portal before your current Student visa expires
• Pay the visa fee — currently £700
• Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge — £1,035 per year (so £2,070 for a 2-year Graduate visa)
• Provide biometrics if you do not already have a BRP or have not enrolled your fingerprints previously
• Provide evidence of your successful completion of your qualifying course (your institution will usually provide a letter)

Decisions are typically made within 8 weeks for applications from within the UK. Once granted, your leave begins from the date of the decision, not from your graduation date. It is important to apply promptly after completing your course to maximise the time available to you.

The Graduate Route cannot be extended. As it approaches its end date, you must either leave the UK or switch to another visa route. Common options include:

• Skilled Worker visa — If you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor at the required salary threshold, switch to the Skilled Worker route. This will begin building time toward ILR.
• Global Talent visa — For those who are recognised as leaders or potential leaders in fields such as science, engineering, humanities, medicine, arts, or digital technology.
• Start-Up or Innovator Founder visa — For those who have been assessed by an endorsing body as having an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea.
• Family route — If you have a qualifying relationship with a British citizen or settled person.

Many Graduate Route holders use the two or three years to build their UK career and gain experience that helps them meet the salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa. Planning ahead and understanding the requirements of your intended next route is essential.