Quick answer
The Graduate route (also called the post-study work visa) lets you stay in the UK for 2 years after finishing an eligible undergraduate or master’s degree — 3 years for PhD holders. You don’t need a job offer. The application costs £937, plus £1,035 per year for the Immigration Health Surcharge. New applications from 1 January 2027 will only give 18 months.
What is the Graduate route?
The Graduate route and “post-study work visa” are the same thing — two names for the same visa. The UK government uses “Graduate route” in all official guidance; universities and student forums tend to use “post-study work visa”. Either term, same visa.
It lets you stay and work in the UK for a fixed period after finishing your degree. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, you don’t need a job offer or a licensed employer to sponsor you. You can job-hunt, freelance, change employers, or take any work at any salary.
Who can apply
You’re eligible if all of these apply:
- You held a valid UK Student visa (or Tier 4, the old name) when you completed your course.
- Your course was at a UK higher education provider listed as a licensed student sponsor by the Home Office.
- You studied in the UK, not online or at an overseas campus.
- You’re applying from inside the UK.
- You’ve never held a Graduate route visa before — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime route.
There’s no English language test, no minimum bank balance, and no minimum salary. UKVI’s one question is: did you finish an eligible course on a Student visa, in the UK?
How long it lasts
- Undergraduate or master’s: 2 years
- PhD or doctoral qualification: 3 years
Rule change from 1 January 2027: the Home Office has confirmed that applications submitted on or after that date will get 18 months instead of 2 years (or 2 years instead of 3 for PhD holders). If you’re finishing your course in late 2026, check the Graduate visa guidance on gov.uk before applying. The deadline for the current rules is the date you submit your application, not when your course ends.
What it costs (April 2026 rates)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £937 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), per year | £1,035 |
For a 2-year Graduate visa, the IHS comes to £2,070. Total upfront: around £3,007.
For a 3-year PhD Graduate visa: £937 + £3,105 in IHS = roughly £4,042.
These are the April 2026 rates. Fees have risen nearly every year. Check the current figures on the Graduate visa fees page before you apply — paying the wrong amount is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected.
Applying: what you’ll need
Applications go through the UKVI online portal — there’s no paper form. Have these ready:
- Your passport
- Your current eVisa details (or BRP if you still have one)
- A completion letter from your university confirming you’ve finished your course. Student Services usually issues this 2–4 weeks after results are formally confirmed — ask them as soon as your results are in.
- A UK address
UKVI aims to decide most Graduate route applications within 8 weeks, though many applicants hear back in 2–4 weeks. Check the Graduate visa page on gov.uk for current processing times.
Apply before your Student visa expires. If you apply in time but UKVI hasn’t decided by the time it expires, you stay legally in the UK under “section 3C leave” — your Student visa conditions carry over automatically until a decision is made. You cannot travel outside the UK during this period.
Working on the Graduate route
Almost no restrictions apply. On the Graduate route you can:
- Work full-time, part-time, or for multiple employers at once
- Change jobs without telling UKVI
- Be self-employed or freelance
- Do internships, paid or unpaid
- Work at any salary level
You won’t need a sponsor. The only restriction worth knowing: you can’t work as a professional sportsperson or their coach. This affects almost no students.
You keep full NHS access — the Immigration Health Surcharge you paid covers this.
What comes after
The Graduate route doesn’t lead directly to settlement. It’s a transition visa — the bridge between your studies and a longer-term route.
Most people use the Graduate route to find a role, then switch to a Skilled Worker visa before it expires. Time on a Skilled Worker visa counts towards the 5-year qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. Time on the Graduate route alone does not.
Keep track of your expiry date. The Graduate route cannot be renewed or extended. Once it expires, your right to stay ends.
Dependants
If you had dependants on your Student visa — a spouse, partner, or children — they can apply for the Graduate route at the same time as you. Each dependant pays their own application fee and IHS. Their leave will match yours in length.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply before I get my final results?
No. You must have completed your course — not just sat your exams. UKVI requires formal confirmation from your university. Most universities issue a completion letter 2–4 weeks after results are confirmed. Ask Student Services for your specific timeline.
Does time on the Graduate route count towards indefinite leave to remain?
Not directly. Time on the Graduate route alone doesn’t count towards the 5-year qualifying period for ILR. But if you switch to a Skilled Worker visa (or another qualifying long-term route), that time counts. You can’t apply for ILR directly from the Graduate route.
What if my Student visa expires while UKVI is processing my application?
If you applied before your Student visa expired, section 3C leave kicks in automatically. Your permission to stay continues on Student visa terms until UKVI decides. You cannot travel outside the UK while on section 3C leave — if you do, the protection ends.
Can I do a second Graduate visa after completing a second UK degree?
No. The Graduate route is once per person, ever. If you’ve already held it, you can’t apply again, even after another eligible UK degree.
Is the Graduate route the same as the old Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa?
No. Tier 1 PSW was a separate visa category closed in 2012. The Graduate route replaced it in 2021, but the rules are different. They’re not interchangeable.
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.
