Quick answer
The Graduate route — also called the post-study work visa — lets you stay in the UK and work after finishing your degree. You don't need a job offer. It costs £937 to apply plus £1,035 per year of Immigration Health Surcharge. The visa lasts 2 years (3 for PhD). New applicants from 1 January 2027 will get 18 months instead of 2 years.
What is the Graduate route?
The Graduate route is a UK visa that lets you stay and work after finishing your degree. There's no job offer requirement and no minimum salary — you can work in any role, for any employer, or be self-employed.
"Post-study work visa" is the informal name for the same thing. You'll see both terms used interchangeably online; they refer to the same visa route. The official name in UK immigration law is the Graduate route.
Who is eligible?
To apply, you must have:
- Completed an eligible UK degree or qualification
- Held a Student visa (or Tier 4 General visa) when your degree was awarded
- Studied physically in the UK — distance learning from overseas does not count
Your university must be a licensed student sponsor. Almost all UK universities are, but it's worth checking if you're at a smaller or specialist institution.
If you studied your final year or a significant portion of your course remotely from outside the UK, speak to an immigration adviser before applying. The Home Office can refuse applications where they consider the UK study requirement has not been met.
How much does it cost?
Two payments are due when you apply:
Application fee: £937
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year
For a standard 2-year Graduate visa, the IHS totals £2,070 upfront, making the combined payment £3,007. These are April 2026 figures from gov.uk/graduate-visa. Check the current IHS rate before you pay — both the application fee and the IHS can change.
Dependants (a partner or children) each pay their own IHS and a separate application fee on top.
How long does the Graduate visa last?
| Situation | Duration |
|---|---|
| Standard degree, applied before 1 January 2027 | 2 years |
| Standard degree, applied from 1 January 2027 | 18 months |
| PhD or doctoral qualification | 3 years |
The reduction from 2 years to 18 months was confirmed in 2025 as part of UK immigration reforms. PhD graduates are unaffected. If you're graduating soon, the timing of your application matters: getting your application in before 1 January 2027 gives you 6 extra months on your visa.
What can you do on the Graduate visa?
The Graduate route is deliberately flexible. You can:
- Work in any job at any salary level — there is no skills or pay floor
- Change employers or roles without notifying the Home Office
- Be self-employed or freelance
- Study at the same time
You cannot:
- Claim public funds (benefits, housing benefit, Universal Credit)
- Extend or renew the Graduate visa — it is a single-use route
- Apply for settlement directly on this visa
When and how to apply
You can apply from inside the UK once your degree is officially awarded. "Officially awarded" means your university has formally confirmed the degree — not just released your marks.
You must still hold a valid Student visa when you apply. If your Student visa has already expired, you cannot apply. Don't wait until the last moment.
The Graduate route is not an entry clearance visa. If you have already left the UK, you cannot apply from overseas.
Applications are made online via the official Graduate route page. You'll need your passport, current visa details, and your university's confirmation of your degree award. The Home Office standard processing time is 8 weeks, though many decisions come sooner. Priority processing is available for an additional fee.
Switching to a Skilled Worker visa
The Graduate route is a stepping stone. To stay in the UK long-term, you'll need to switch to a route that leads to settlement — most commonly the Skilled Worker visa.
To qualify for Skilled Worker, you need:
- A job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence
- The role to meet the skill threshold (RQF Level 3 or above)
- The salary to meet the minimum — £38,700 for most roles (April 2024 rate), or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher; some shortage occupations have lower minimums
- To apply before your Graduate visa expires
The years you spend on the Graduate route do not count towards the 5 years of continuous UK residence needed for Indefinite Leave to Remain. That clock starts when you switch to a qualifying route like Skilled Worker.
Start your job search early. Recruitment can take months, and submitting a visa application under time pressure is an application made poorly. Give yourself at least three months lead time; six is better.
For a full walkthrough of post-graduation options, see the Graduate route next steps guide on Luodi.
FAQ
Is "post-study work visa" the same as the Graduate route?
Yes. "Post-study work visa" is how most students refer to it; the official Home Office name is the Graduate route. Same visa, two names.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the Graduate visa?
No. You apply without a job offer, a sponsor, or a salary minimum. Once you have the visa, you can work in any role.
Can I extend the Graduate visa?
No. The Graduate route cannot be extended or renewed. It is a one-time visa. Before it expires you must switch to a different route — such as Skilled Worker — or leave the UK.
Can I bring dependants on the Graduate visa?
Yes, if they were already your dependants on your Student visa. They apply at the same time and each pay their own IHS and application fee.
Does time on the Graduate visa count towards settlement?
No. Time spent on the Graduate route does not count towards the 5 years of continuous UK residence required for Indefinite Leave to Remain. That clock starts when you switch to a qualifying route such as Skilled Worker.
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.