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Stay in the UK after you graduate

Many options are available for international graduates looking to stay in the UK after graduation. Below, we detail the UK government's Graduate Route visa and the Skilled Worker route specifically.

However, we recommend you do your research on the GOV.UK website to work out which visa best suits your current situation. There are lots of other options available, including short-term and long-term visas, and visas for specific types of employment, such as for healthcare workers.

What is the Graduate Route?

The UK’s Graduate Route welcomes international students to apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, upon graduation. International students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after their studies. PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to three years.

This is a fantastic opportunity for international students who want to take their next steps into employment in the UK.

What are the benefits of the Graduate Route?

The Graduate Route is unsponsored, meaning you can use the time after you graduate to work, or look for work, at any skill level. You will have the flexibility to gain work experience, undertake an internship or work as a freelancer in the UK.

There is no minimum salary requirement, and there is no limit on how many international students can have the opportunity to stay in the UK through the Graduate Route. Additionally, you are not tied to a specific job or employer and you can have multiple jobs at any skill level and can switch jobs during the course of the visa.

Once you have found suitable employment in the UK, you’ll have the chance to switch to a skilled work route and remain in the UK after your two or three years have come to an end.

'I decided to apply for the Graduate Route because I didn't need to have an employer sponsor my visa. This meant that although I was offered a job, which was part-time, I was still able to stay and work in the UK without any issues. The Graduate Route enabled me to build up experience in the UK and has acted as a stepping stone for my future success in the actuarial field.'

Lan, from China, studied Applied Actuarial Science at the University of Kent and graduated in 2022. Thanks to the Graduate Route, she lives and works in the UK.

How much does the Graduate Route cost?

Before applying for the Graduate Route visa, you should know the costs up-front. There is a one-off application fee of £822 , and you must also pay the full amount for the Immigration Health Surcharge . As of 6 February 2024, this will cost you £1035 annually.

Learn more about the Graduate Route

Learn more about the Graduate Route on GOV.UK and visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website for additional guidance on the Graduate Route, including where, when and how to apply, requirements and conditions, FAQs and more. Additionally, you can view the UK government's Graduate Route guide for further information.

It is worth being aware that if you impress your employer while working on the Graduate Route visa, your employer can switch you onto the Skilled Worker route if the requirements are met. But note: you cannot switch from a Skilled Worker visa to a Graduate Route visa.

What is the Skilled Worker route?

A Skilled Worker visa allows you to stay in the UK with an approved employer and eligible job. You must fulfil specific requirements to apply for this type of visa - including having a job offer with a minimum salary of at least £20,960, at least £10.75 per hour, or the 'going rate' for the type of work you'll be doing, whatever is higher. Additionally, your job needs to meet the minimum levels of skill requirements. The UK government provides a list of eligible jobs* on their website that meets this requirement.

Visit the UKCISA website for additional guidance on the Skilled Worker route, including where, when and how to apply, requirements and conditions, FAQs and more.

*The list of eligible jobs is in the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations. Table 1 includes most eligible jobs, with separate tables for some jobs in health and education.

How much does the Skilled Worker route cost?

In short, it depends, but employers will always incur costs when hiring a graduate on the Skilled Worker route. The standard fee ranges from £719 to £1,500, depending on your circumstances, for example, where the graduate is applying, the type of visa they are switching from, the employer's size, and whether the employer already has a sponsor license.

It is common for employers, especially larger organisations, to pay the cost of the fee. However, it is not a given, so if you are offered a job and want to go down this route, make sure to discuss this up-front with your employer.

Get more advice on working in the UK after you complete your studies

For advice on working in the UK after you complete your studies, read our 'international students guide to working in the UK after you graduate' and visit the UKCISA website .

Stay and work in the UK on a Graduate Route visa

The Graduate Route means that you can stay in the UK and explore your employment options without needing an employer to sponsor your visa.

Explore other UK visa options

Many options are available for international graduates looking to stay in the UK after they finish their studies. Do your research and work out which visa best suits your current situation.

Hear individual Graduate Route stories

'the graduate route was a fast and simple way for me to stay in the uk after my studies'.

Guy shares how the Graduate Route helped him stay in the UK after completing his postgraduate studies without being sure about what he was going to do next.

'Working in the UK has enabled me to grow my network and skills and gain international work experience'

The Graduate Route allowed Progress to apply what she learned during her studies, grow her network and gain relevant international work experience in the UK.

'The Graduate Route gave me time to explore my employment options without time pressure'

The Graduate Route made it possible for Rodney to explore his employment options and make the decision that was right for him without needing a sponsored visa.

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A Guide to the Graduate Route

The Graduate Route is a post-study work visa that will allow you to stay in the UK to work or look for work for 2 years after your degree has been awarded, or 3 years, if you have been awarded a Doctoral (PhD) qualification.

7 steps to success

You must not make your application before steps 1-4 are complete, or your application could be refused..

You must check that: 

You meet all of the eligibility criteria (see below) 

Your student record is fully up-to-date*, including:

your current Student/Tier 4 visa

*Note that Step 3 cannot be completed without this information 

​​​​​ Step 2

Your degree is awarded and is confirmed on your EUCLID student record (your student record will say ‘successfully completed an award’). 

If you are a research student, you will not successfully complete your award until you have done your viva and any required corrections have been approved.

The Student Immigration Service runs a report to UKVI to tell them that your degree has been awarded and that you qualify for the Graduate Route.  Please note that your eligibility will typically be reported within 2 weeks of your award being published on your student record, but this can vary.

The Student Immigration Service sends you an email to your student and personal email accounts confirming that we have made the report and reminding you what your CAS number is. If you think you should have received this email, but have not yet received it, please  contact us . 

Read our guide to applying for the Graduate Route visa:

You complete the online visa application, pay the application and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee. If you have a valid EU, EEA or Swiss passport, or hold a valid BRP, you will be able to apply using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. 

Apply for the Graduate route

You will need to prove your identity as part of the application process. If you can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you will be directed to scan either your passport, your BRP or both. 

If you are unable to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you’ll be asked to get your fingerprints and photograph taken at a  UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)  service point instead. 

You wait in the UK* for a decision about your application and, if you are a  visa nationa l, for your BRP to be delivered 

*if you leave the UK before you receive a decision, your application will be deemed withdrawn and you may lose the opportunity to get a Graduate Route visa. If you leave the UK before you get your BRP (where applicable), you will need to apply for a replacement vignette before you can return to the UK.

Things you must do to ensure your application is successful

Do not apply for the Graduate Route until after you receive a confirmation email from the University containing your CAS 

 Ensure that your Student Record is up-to-date with your current visa and address 

Apply before your Tier 4/Student visa expires 

Qualifying for the Graduate Route (eligibility criteria)

Validity requirements.

You must have a valid Tier 4 or Student visa 

You must make your application in the UK prior to the expiry of your Tier 4/Student visa* 

If you have, in the 12 months prior to your application, completed a programme for which you been awarded/received a full scholarship or sponsorship by specifically a Government or International Scholarship Agency, covering both tuition fees and living costs, (for example a Chevening or Marshall scholarship), you must provide a letter of consent from the scholarship provider. 

You must not have previously been granted a visa under the Graduate Route or the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) 

*Covid-19 - If your Tier 4/Student visa expired, but you were granted Exceptional Assurance, which is still valid, you may still be able to apply for the Graduate Route.  Contact us for advice . 

Qualification requirement

You must have been awarded a UK*  bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, or one of the following: 

A diploma in Professional Legal Practice 

A PGCE or a PGDE 

Other professional courses requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above in a profession with reserved activities that are regulated by UK law or UK public authority. Professional roles that have reserved activities include (but are not limited to) medical doctors, architects, lawyers, teachers, and nurses. 

You must have gained your qualification during the validity of your most recent Tier 4/Student visa (you cannot use a course that you completed before starting your most recent degree programme) 

*Please note, if you have studied at the University of Edinburgh as a visiting student and your degree qualification has or will be awarded by an overseas institution, you will not be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route. 

Study in the UK requirements

Requirement 1: You must spend a minimum amount of time physically present in the UK during your studies to qualify for the Graduate Route. 

Requirement 2: You must hold a valid Tier 4/Student visa for the duration of the qualifying period in the UK 

The minimum time you must spend depends on the length of your programme of studies:

 *(This does not include holidays taken outside of term time). 

Exceptions 

Any period of distance learning between 24 January 2020 and 27 September 2021, or remote study outside the UK up to 30 June 2022, as part of a course of study lasting longer than 12 months whilst you held permission as a Tier4/Student visa holder, will not prevent you from meeting the study in the UK  requirement  

• Time spent on permitted study abroad programmes: this is defined as a part of your programme which is completed at a partner institution, such as a University or research institute, outside the UK. The study abroad programme must be an integral and assessed part of the course which you have already started studying in the UK. An example of a permitted study abroad programme is a mandatory student exchange year.

Absences from the UK

There are a number of issues that you need to consider when leaving campus during term time – not just your eligibility for the Graduate Route:

• The University’s study regulations require you to be on campus during term time. You may apply for a Leave of Absence if you will be away for more than 30 days, but this can only be granted if you need the leave of absence for study purposes (such as data collection or a course-related work placement), and you continue to engage in your studies. You can ask your School if you wish to have an absence of 30 days or less, but it will be dependant on whether it is academically appropriate. You cannot miss any on campus engagement points.
• Your Student visa is granted to allow you to study in the UK. You are expected to carry out your studies on campus, and the UKVI’s expectation is that, if you don’t need to be in the UK, you don’t need a visa. We tell the UKVI that students need to be on campus to access the library and other facilities, even if they do not have classes. It is important, therefore, that you continue your studies in Edinburgh. However, whilst you should be based in the UK during term-time, there may be extenuating circumstances that require you to travel overseas for a short-period and for personal reasons, during which you would generally be absent from your studies.  For example, if you must return home for 1 to 2 weeks because of a family emergency.  If your absence is for a short period and you have informed your School, this should not impact your student visa.
• The Graduate Route rules currently state that, to qualify, you must be in the UK for all term time periods of your course, including the dissertation module. At present, this means that you must be in Edinburgh at all times except official vacation periods and weekends (Masters’ students do not have a summer vacation).

We recognise that the current rules about travel and the Graduate Route are unreasonably restrictive and we are working with UKCISA and  UKVI to make them more realistic.  However, we do not yet know what the changes will look like, and cannot confirm at this time whether your absence would exclude you from the Graduate Route.   W e understand from verbal discussions with UKVI that short absences are unlikely to affect Graduate Route eligibility as long as you remain fully engaged with your studies.  However, we cannot advise exactly how this works in practice until UKVI have published guidance which explains this.  We will update this webpage as soon as we receive any new information from UKVI on this issue.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

You will need your CAS number to be able to apply for the Graduate Route. The University will tell you your CAS number when they confirm (by email) that they have reported your award to the UKVI. 

You must have completed the same qualification that is stated on your CAS, unless you changed your programme as permitted by your Tier 4/Student visa. Find more information about what is permitted on our  website . 

Conditions of the Graduate Route 

What you can and can't do.

You are permitted to: 

Work in any profession, at any level, for any employer (including self-employment and voluntary work) EXCEPT work as a professional sportsperson 

Study on short or recreational courses  

You must not: 

Access  public funds  

Study with a Student sponsor on a course which would meet the requirements of the  Student visa route    

What you need to know

Things to look out for before and after applying.

If you have completed your course you can work full time until your student visa expires, but it must not be in a permanent role, unless you meet all of the below:

You submitted the visa application for your Student visa on or after 6 April 2022; and

You submit your Graduate visa application in-time before your Student visa expires; and

You submit your Graduate visa application after you successfully completed your course (i.e after you receive notification that the University has reported this to UKVI)

If all of the above applies to you, you can start a permanent full-time role whilst your Graduate visa application is pending

If you start a business while you have a Graduate Route visa, you will no longer qualify for the  Start-Up visa  

If your current Tier 4/Student visa will expire before your award is confirmed, you will need to  extend your Student visa  before you can apply for the Graduate Route. You can only extend your Student visa if you have not yet completed your studies. It is important that you seek advice about this as soon as you are aware.  Contact Us  

Your Graduate Route visa will be valid for 2 years from the date that your visa application is decided (which is normally about 8 weeks after you make your application). You should think carefully about when you should make your application. For example, many graduate work programmes start in September and last for 2 years, so you should plan to make your application around 8 weeks before the start of the programme.  

However, there is no guarantee of exact dates when your visa will start and finish. 

Frequently asked questions

Can i travel during my studies.

If you are on a programme of 12 months or more, travel should not affect your eligibility. If you are on a course of 12 months or less, then you must be on campus during term-time. This means you should only travel during your vacation periods. Masters students do not have a summer vacation, as you are expected to be working full time on your dissertation. As the rules stand, if you choose to travel during term time, we cannot guarantee whether this will have an impact on your Graduate Route eligibility.

Can I travel after my studies?

The period of time between your programme end date, and your current student visa end date, is known as your 'wrap up period'. Travelling during your wrap-up period should not affect your Graduate Route visa. However, you must be in the UK to make your Graduate Route visa application, and once submitted, you must remain in the UK until you receive a decision from UKVI.

Can I finish my dissertation in my home country?

You are expected to carry out your studies on campus, and the UKVI’s expectation is that, if you don’t need to be in the UK, you don’t need a visa. We tell the UKVI that students need to be on campus to access the library and other facilities, even if they do not have classes. It is important, therefore, that you continue your studies in Edinburgh. If you choose to go home for your dissertation period, we would withdraw sponsorship of your student visa and you would no longer be eligible for the Graduate Route visa.

Can I work/will working affect my Graduate Route eligibility?

As a student visa holder, during your studies you will typically have a work restriction of 20 hours per week. Working within this should not affect your eligibility. The time between your programme end date and your visa expiry date is known as your ‘wrap-up period’. During this time, students who have a standard work condition (limiting your work to up to 20 hours per week) are allowed to work full time on a fixed term basis. Please note, you cannot sign a full-time, permanent contract during this time. More information can be found here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-administration/immigration/at-the-end-of-your-studies

I’ve applied for the Graduate Route visa, can I stay in the UK?

If you have submitted and paid for your Graduate Route visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees, before the end date of your current student visa, then you can stay and work in the UK. You can remain, even if your student visa expires, until you receive a decision from UKVI. Please note, it is important that you do not travel outside of the UK while you are waiting for a decision, as this can negatively impact your application.

I’ve applied for the Graduate Route Visa, but haven’t heard back, can you help?

Unfortunately, we are not able to influence how quickly UKVI make a decision on your application.  As we do not sponsor this visa, we would not contact UKVI on your behalf.   You can read more about visa processing times on the UKVI website:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-inside-the-uk

How much does it cost to apply? 

To apply, you need to pay for the visa application fee and immigration health surcharge. As of February 2024, the application fee is £822 and immigration health surcharge is £1,035 per year of the visa. 

Further information

UKCISA guidance on the Graduate Route

Guide: the UK Post-Study Work Visa for graduates

Author: Patrick Atack

Patrick is an expert on international education. He studied American Studies and Journalism in the UK and the USA. His work has been published in, among others, the London Evening Standard, Euronews, and the PIE News.

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Permission to stay under the Graduate route will enable international students to work or look for work after their studies for 2 years, or 3 years for PhD students. The work can be in any sector and at any level without any minimum salary requirements or the need for visa sponsorship.

Students studying on a Tier 4/Student visa will need to make an application in the UK to be granted permission under the route after successful completion of their degree. There are specific eligibility requirements so you are advised to read the information on this page in full.

It is possible to work full-time on your Tier 4/Student visa after you have completed your course and whilst it remains valid, but with some restrictions on the type of work you can do. Information is outlined on our Working on a student visa webpage.

To be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa, you will need to:

• hold a current Tier 4/Student visa;

Not all courses at Cambridge are eligible for student visa sponsorship and therefore will not be eligible for the Graduate route. This includes most part-time taught courses which are supported under the visitor route.

• have studied a Bachelors, Masters, PGCE, or PhD at Cambridge;

Advanced Diploma, and other non-degree awarding qualifications except the PGCE, are not eligible to apply for a Graduate visa.

• have successfully completed your degree;

You are considered to have successfully completed your degree for the purpose of applying for the Graduate visa once you have received your final results and your record is updated to reflect completion. It does not mean you need to have attended a graduation ceremony. Completion for PhD students is unconditional approval, which is normally submission of the hardbound and e-thesis.

You need to have completed the degree for which your Tier 4/Student visa was granted, unless it is a change permitted under student visa policy. Students who have a Tier 4/Student visa for a four year Integrated Masters course are eligible to apply for the Graduate visa if they successfully complete their studies and exit with the Bachelors qualification and will not be proceeding to the fourth year, or after completing the fourth year. Integrated Master students are not able to apply for the Graduate visa based on successful completion of the Bachelors qualification if continuing studies in the fourth year

Following the update of your student record to reflect completion, you will need to wait until you have received an email from the International Student Office confirming UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has been notified of your successful completion before you can apply for the Graduate visa. Prior to the International Student Office notifying UKVI, your record will be reviewed to confirm you still hold a valid Tier 4/Student visa. Also see the section on 'When can I apply?'.

Masters students who do not complete all the required assessment (i.e. final submission or exam) by the original end date in their CAS should contact the International Student Office to check whether they are still eligible for the Graduate visa as this may depend on whether final results will be received prior to their current visa expiry.

• have studied for a minimum period of time in the UK on a Tier 4/Student visa;

The minimum period of study for the Graduate visa is at least 12 months OR the full length of your course, whichever is shorter. Permitted 'study abroad' activities (i.e. activities that are undertaken overseas as part of a course) or time spent overseas during permitted breaks from study such as during official vacation periods or at the weekend can be included in the minimum period.

The minimum period of study can be undertaken on more than one Tier 4/Student visa if granted to study the same qualification at the University.

If you switch to a student visa from another immigration category during your course, you would not be eligible for a Graduate visa unless you will have studied for the minimum required time as outlined above on the most recent Tier 4/Student visa prior to completion. If you are switching from another immigration category to start your studies at Cambridge, you can include the time whilst the application is pending in the minimum study period.

• provide a letter of consent if financially sponsored by a Government or international scholarship agency;

If in the 12 months before the date of application you have completed a course for which you had been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship by a Government or international scholarship agency covering fees and living costs, you must provide a letter of consent from the sponsor organisation to support the application.

• apply in the UK within the validity of your current Tier 4/Student visa.

You can only apply for the Graduate visa from within the UK, and should do so prior to your current Tier 4/Student visa expiring following the email from the International Student Office confirming your successful course completion has been reported to UKVI. Read the information for students on the marking and assessment boycott  to understand the potential implications of a delay to receiving confirmation of successful course completion and eligibility for the Graduate visa. 

Permission under the Graduate route will be granted subject to the following conditions:

• any work in the UK (including paid and unpaid, self-employment, engaging in business or any professional activity) is permitted. The only restriction is a prohibition on working as a professional sportsperson or coach;
• study is restricted on this visa and is only permitted on courses that would not meet the requirements for student visa sponsorship. If you are continuing to further study at Cambridge, or at another institution, and plan to apply for the Graduate visa, you should first check whether it will be possible for you to study on your chosen course under this visa;
• no access to public funds.

The permission granted under the Graduate route, 2 years for undergraduate and Masters students and 3 years for PhD students, will start from when the decision is made on the application.  

It is not possible to extend your permission under the Graduate route once granted. From the Graduate route, you would be able to switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK if you are offered a suitable job with an employer who holds a sponsor licence.

It is only possible to be granted permission under the Graduate route once. You cannot apply again, for example, if you were to undertake another course of study.

Whilst an application for the Graduate visa is pending, the working conditions of your student visa will continue to apply. The only exception to this is if you applied for your current student visa after 6 April 2022, in which case you are able to start a full-time permanent vacancy once you have successfully completed your course and submitted the new Graduate visa application. This is otherwise not possible as a student visa does not permit filling a full-time permanent vacancy. Students on a part-time student visa are not permitted to work until they have obtained the Graduate visa. 

You should only make your application once the University has notified UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that you have successfully completed your degree. This is in accordance with the Graduate route visa policy.  The International Student Office will make this report to UKVI after you have received your final results and your University record has been updated to reflect completion. Please note it can take several weeks after you have received your results for your University record to be updated. The International Student Office is not directly involved in the process of updating student records so we request that you do not contact our office to ask when this will happen unless it is close to your current visa expiry date. The International Student Office will confirm to you when the report has been made to UKVI and you will receive this by email to the email address on your student record. Do not submit your Graduate visa application until you have received this email .

You will need to apply in the UK whilst your current Tier 4/Student visa is still valid and cannot travel overseas until you have received the outcome of your application, and your new BRP if applicable (see section below titled eVisa).

If your visa expires after you have applied to the Graduate route, you will be permitted to remain in the UK whilst your application is being considered under the conditions of your Tier 4/Student permission until you have received the outcome of your Graduate visa application. 

The visa application fee is £822. In addition, the application will also require you to pay the immigration health surcharge and this is charged at £1035 per year the visa will be granted (£2070 for 2 years and, for PhD students, £3105 for 3 years).

You make an application online .

As part of the application you will need to confirm your identity. Most applicants will be able to do this using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app. Once you have created a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, you will be asked to download the app to a smart phone. The app will be used to confirm your identity by scanning your BRP, or if you are an EEA or Swiss national by scanning your passport. You will be given instructions on how to use the app in the application. It is free and compatible with Android phones and iPhone 7 or newer models. If you do not own a compatible phone, you can use the app from a friend’s mobile phone as no information is stored on the phone or app after you close it.

If you cannot use the app, you will need to book an in-person appointment for biometric enrolment. This includes students who applied for their current student visa in the UK and it was issued as a digital status with no BRP (this does not apply to EEA and Swiss nationals who can use their passport with the app instead of a BRP). 

As part of the application:

• You will need your passport and current Tier4/Student BRP to apply.
• You will need to know the CAS number you used to support your Tier 4/student visa application. This will be included in the email notification sent to you once the successful completion of your degree has been reported to UKVI. 
• You will need a letter of consent if you have been financially sponsored for your studies by a Government or international scholarship agency.
• There will be no requirement to provide financial evidence with the application.

The advertised decision timeframe is 8 weeks from when you submit your application.

Please note that once you have made your application, you cannot travel overseas until you have been notified of the decision.

When granted, the visa will be issued as a digital status, also called an eVisa.

The digital status will enable you to prove your right to live and work in the UK online .

Visa nationals (i.e. nationalities who require entry clearance prior to travel to the UK as a visitor) will also be issued a new Biometric Resident Permit (BRP). It is likely this will need to be shown in order to travel to the UK whilst your Graduate visa is valid. Visa nationals are therefore advised to wait to receive the new BRP once the visa has been granted before travelling overseas.

If you cannot use the app as part of the application, and need to enrol your biometrics at an in-person appointment, you will also be issued a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

When you set up your UKVI account to apply for this visa you will use your BRP to verify your identity, unless you are an EEA or Swiss national. UKVI advises that once you have received your eVisa, you should sign back into your UKVI account using the information on your BRP but then change the main ‘sign-in’ document to your current passport. This is to ensure you can continue to access your UKVI account easily and should also ensure that you avoid unnecessary delays when travelling in and out of the UK. If you renew your passport, you should sign in and update these details in your UKVI account.

Dependant family members in the UK who already have immigration permission as a Tier 4 or Student dependant can apply for further permission to stay as a dependant under the Graduate route.

Children born in the UK do not need to have been granted a dependant visa under Tier 4 or the Student route but they must have been born in the UK during the student’s most recent Tier 4 or student visa.

Further information about dependant eligibility is outlined on the  UKVI website .

Read the information on the  UKVI webpages  and their  Graduate immigration route guide .

If you have any questions about the Graduate route contact the  International Student Office.

Immigration rules and policy are subject to change. These webpages are updated as soon as possible following any changes but relevant pages of the Home Office website should be checked for the latest information. The International Student Office can only provide information and advise on current policy; it is not possible to speculate on future immigration changes or developments in relation to post-study visa options.

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How to apply for a Graduate visa – The UK’s Post-study work visa

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International students who graduate from a UK university can apply for a post-study work visa called the Graduate visa. We take an in-depth look at how you can use this visa to stay in the UK.

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If you’re studying in the UK and your graduation is on the horizon, you might find yourself wanting to extend your time in the country. The UK’s Graduate visa allows international students who are awarded a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree from a UK university to live and find work in the UK for a period after they have graduated.

The amount of time you’ll be able to stay depends on the degree you studied. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you will be awarded two years. Whereas if you have a PhD or other doctoral degree, you will get a visa for three years.

Are you eligible for the Graduate visa?

Graduate visa eligibility.

In order to be eligible for a graduate visa you need to satisfy all the following:

• You must be in the UK
• You must hold a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
• Your education provider must tell the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed your course
• You studied a UK bachelor’s or postgraduate degree or other eligible course while on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa

The course you studied must have been for a minimum:

• of at least 12 months, if your course’s total length is more than 12 months
• the total length of your course, if its total length is shorter than 12 months

Degrees eligible for the Graduate visa

You usually must have one of the following to apply:

• A UK bachelor’s degree
• A UK master’s degree
• A UK PhD or doctorate

What you can and can’t do on a Graduate visa

The Graduate visa gives you much more freedom than some other visas do. During your time in the UK on a Graduate visa, you can do any kind of work, even volunteer work. The only exception is that you cannot work as a professional sportsperson.

* At an institution that also holds a Student visa sponsor licence. You will have to apply for a Student visa instead.

The Graduate visa application process

Despite the name, you don’t have to wait to graduate before you apply. But the following two things must be true:

• Your education provider has communicated your final results to the Home Office.
• Your Student visa has not expired yet.

This means that your window to apply is after the university has let the Home Office know your passing results and before your Student visa expires. It’s very important to have all your documents ready to apply.

If your Student visa expires while you awaiting a decision on your Graduate visa application you will be protected by section 3C leave. Section 3C comes into play when you have made an in-time application to extend your leave to stay but are still awaiting a decision on that application. This prevents you from becoming an overstayer.

How much does a Graduate visa cost?

Graduate visa fees.

When you apply for a Graduate visa, you’ll need to pay the following:

*The IHS needs to be paid in full for the entire duration of the visa. The current IHS fee is £624 but is due to be increased soon .

Can I extend my Graduate visa?

The Graduate visa cannot be renewed or extended. You can, however, switch visas while you hold a Graduate visa. If you are able to secure a job that requires a sponsor, your employer can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship which allows you to apply for a Skilled Worker visa . You can also switch to a spouse visa or switch to a dependant on your spouse’s Ancestry visa .

Read more:  Switching visas in the UK – Our extensive guide

If you are interested in applying for a Graduate visa, please get in contact with one of our experienced immigration consultants who will help you every step of the way. Get in touch with us at [email protected] or call on +27 (0) 21 657 2180 or +44 (0) 20 7759 5330.

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Graduate route (post-study work)

The Graduate Route allows students who have completed a b achelor's or m aster ' s degree to stay for up to two years to work at any skill level, or to look for work. Those who have completed a PhD will be granted permission for three years. 

Please read our detailed guidance in the sections below to help you understand the eligibility criteria and how and when to apply.

The Immigration Compliance Team at Queen Mary deal with the administrative side of reporting successful completion to UKVI. If you have any questions about how this works, you can contact them on:  [email protected]    

Eligibility

International students who successfully complete an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree at Queen Mary with Student immigration permission at the time of application would be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route.

If you complete a course with a lower award than the one stated on your CAS, such as a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, you would not be eligible for the Graduate visa (exception for those leaving an integrated Masters course with a Bachelors award). These awards are not eligible qualifications for the visa route. 

We understand that certain programmes (normally leading to postgraduate taught awards) allow for the award of credit where a module is failed, subject to certain conditions. This is known as ‘condoned failure’. If despite the condoned failure, it is confirmed that you will be awarded the qualification you were studying for, you may still be eligible for the Graduate Route.

Normally if your total course length is 12 months or shorter, you should spend the full duration of your course in the UK with Student immigration permission, if your course is longer than 12 months you should spend at least 12 months in the UK with Student immigration permission ( but note the concession in 2021 ' Study in the UK (including Covid-19 concessions) ' ).

Absences from the UK

The Graduate Route information on the   Gov website   states the following about absences and provides an example relating to leaving the UK after you have arrived. It says:

"Studying your course in the UK means that you were in the UK when your education provider needed you to be there – for example, to go to lectures or meet with a tutor."

And provides the following example:

"If you were taking a 1 year master’s degree, but left the UK during term breaks or on weekends, that would still count as studying in the UK for 1 year."

Students who are on official vacation (no study required) eg: in summer

If you are in a period where you have no study activity scheduled (eg: over the summer if you are an undergraduate student who has successfully completed one academic year and will start the next academic year in September), then you are considered to be out of term time and you are officially in a vacation period. Absence from the UK during that official vacation period should not affect your eligibility for the Graduate Route.

Students who are not on official vacation (eg: dissertation / other study periods)

We understand from verbal discussions with UKVI that short periods of absence from the UK (other than during official vacations and weekends) should not impact on your eligibility for the Graduate Route as long as you remain engaged in your studies and QMUL continues sponsorship (your CAS). 

However, unless the Home Office provide clarity and certainty in written form (ideally in the immigration rules, in the guidance or in published concessions to the rules), there will be an element of risk in terms of eligibility for the Graduate Route if you choose to undertake a period of study activity/ do your dissertation / project while outside the UK or if you take a period of authorised absence in a required study period – even if you are permitted to do so by your school and QMUL continue to sponsor you for your student visa.

QMUL along with other organisations continues to lobby for clarity and certainty on this issue and we will update these webpages if and when there is any update.

One time only eligibility

You will only be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route visa once, even if you undertake more than one eligible course in the UK. Therefore, if you are planning to do an undergraduate and postgraduate course in the UK, think about when the best time would be to apply depending on your career plans. 

When & where to apply

You will only meet the eligibility criteria for the qualification , after the exam board for your programme has taken place , and your results have been officially confirmed. You must have  successfully completed  your course and your successful completion reported to UKVI to be eligible.  

Successful completion of your studies is when you have completed your programme and the Queen Mary programme boards have confirmed your award of qualification. Programme boards normally take place at Queen Mary one to two months after the end date of your course, however this may vary between Schools and Institutes  

The Immigration Compliance Team at Queen Mary will report your successful completion to UKVI and inform you by email when this has been done. You can only apply after this.  

Do not apply before you have received confirmation from the Immigration Compliance Team at Queen Mary that they have reported your successful completion of studies to UKVI.     

You must apply before your current Student immigration permission expires, or on the day it expires at the very latest.  

For further information about when to apply for the Graduate Route you can listen to our podcast  'When to apply for the Graduate Route' .  

Please note you can only in the UK . There is no provision to apply in any other country other than the UK.

How to apply

You will need to apply using an  online application form  which you can complete on your phone, laptop, PC or other device.  

The Graduate Route visa is  not  automatic and requires you to make an application.  

To make an application, you need to first check that you meet all of the eligibility requirements.  

Read the  Graduate Route guidance  

Once you have checked you meet all the eligibility requirements, you should follow all the steps to make a successful application. The Graduate Route Application Process is outlined on the  UK Government website: Graduate Route .  

The application process has a number of steps that include:  

• Proving your identity and nationality (in most cases by using the UK Immigration: ID Check app)  
• Completing the online application form (you will need to reference your studies and the conf o i rmation of acceptance for studies ( CAS ) issued for your studies in this section)  
• Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge, Visa Application Fee and submitting the application online  
• Submitting any documents in support of your application (if relevant)  
• Awaiting the decision of your application (this can take up to eight weeks)  
• Carefully read the  instructions about using the app  before starting your application.   

How much does it cost?

The application fee is £822 , and the Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per year of permission granted. Your eligible dependants will also have to pay an application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.   

Previously sponsored by government or international scholarship agency 

If you were sponsored by a government or international organisation for your studies or were sponsored during the 12 months before you make your application for the Graduate Route, then you will need to provide a letter of consent from your sponsor. The letter of consent should say that your sponsor agrees to you remaining in the UK. This is required if the scholarship covered both tuition fees and living expenses.   

As Queen Mary is not a government or international scholarship agency, you will not require a letter of consent if you have been sponsored by Queen Mary.   

We are aware that the visa application form currently asks you to provide a letter of consent if you have previously been sponsored by any official financial sponsor . , however ,  this is not in accordance with the Immigration Rules which only requires the letter of consent if you were sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency. If you previously received a scholarship from Queen Mary, you can write a cover letter to submit with your supporting documents to explain that a letter of consent is not required because you were not sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency.  

If you were sponsored by a government or international organisation for either your tuition fees or living expenses, or both, then please check if the terms and conditions of your sponsorship permit you to stay in the UK on completion of your course.   

If you made your Student visa application before 6 April 2022 y ou will be able to work in line with the Graduate Route conditions once your Graduate Route visa has been issued.   Until then, you should work in line with your Student conditions . This means that you should not work in a permanent job until your Graduate Route visa has been issued. This is different to full-time work, which you are permitted to undertake under your Student conditions after the end date of your course.     

If you are a part-time student, you are not permitted to work until your Graduate Route permission is issued.  

Once your Graduate Route visa has been issued, you can undertake most work, including employment and self-employment and you can also be looking for work. It is also permitted to start your own business. You are not permitted to work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

If you make your Student application on or after 6 April 2022, you will be able to start employment which is not usually allowed, including in a permanent job (with no end date) between making your Graduate route application and receiving a decision on it. However, you will not be allowed to start self-employment or work as an entertainer until you are granted Graduate permission.  

You are not permitted to work as a professional sportsperson even after you have been granted Graduate permission. The date on which you applied for Student or Graduate permission makes no difference.   

Existing dependants can extend, but you cannot bring new dependants under the Graduate Route.

Deadline to enter the UK – Covid concessions 

UKVI have confirmed that students will normally be expected to undertake their studies in the UK to be eligible for the Graduate route. However, there is a concession at this time, to allow students to remain eligible for the Route even if they have spent some time studying outside the UK as a result of the pandemic.   

Students who started a 12 month course in 2020 or Spring 2021  

Students who began a course of 12 months or less in 2020 or Spring 2021 via distance learning, and who had not previously entered the UK to study that course would be able to make a Graduate application if they made a successful Student visa application and arrived in the UK by 27 September 2021, or before their visa expired if this were sooner.   

If you already came to the UK under your current Student route permission but then you switched to distance learning from home, you just need to return to the UK before the end date of your Student permission in order to be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route.   

Students who start a 12 month course in Autumn 2021 or Spring 2022  

Students who begin a course of 12 months or less in Autumn 2021 or Spring 2022 via distance learning from overseas must enter the UK no later than 30 June 2022, and complete that course of study with permission as a Student to be eligible for the Graduate Route  

Students who started a course at any time that is longer than 12 months:   

Students sponsored for a course lasting longer than 12 months will not be prevented from being eligible for the Graduate route as a result of any distance learning that took place either in the UK or overseas between the period of 24 January 2020 and 27 September 2021, or overseas between 27 September 2021 and 30 June 2022. Remember that you must be in the UK with Student immigration permission at the time of application. If your Student visa expires before 30 June 2022, you must enter the UK before your visa expires rather than 30 June 2022.   

In all cases, you must meet all other eligibility criteria of the route in order to be able to apply.  

PhD students

PhD students will be eligible to apply after they have been awarded their PhD, and received the confirmation from the Immigration Compliance Team that they have successfully completed. They will be granted three years to stay and work in the UK.   

Support in looking for, and applying for, jobs

The Careers and Enterprise Service at Queen Mary can provide a range of support in helping you to find work or apply for a job or further study, including feedback on your job application, practice interviews, advice on making career choices and support with looking for work. See the  Careers and Enterprise website  for further details and follow their  blog  for useful information and case studies.   

You can watch recorded webinars on the  Careers and Enterprise Service web pages .   

You can access Queen Mary's Careers and Enterprise Service for two years after you graduate.   

Whilst your application is pending

Your previous Student conditions continue whilst you are waiting for a decision on your Graduate Route application, if you submit (pay for) your Graduate Route application by the date that your Student visa expires  at the very latest . Even if your application is still pending after the date that your Student visa expires, you are still in the UK legally as long as you have submitted your Graduate Route application before that date.  

If you travel outside the UK before you receive a decision on your application, your application will be automatically withdrawn.  

Resits and eligibility

As long as it is confirmed that you have successfully completed your course while you still hold valid Student immigration permission, you will be in time to apply for the Graduate Route (subject to meeting all of the other qualifying criteria).  

  If you are an Undergraduate student who has resits during the late summer resit period, we understand that your results should be released in September following the August resit and this should be before your student visa expires.   

If you are a Postgraduate Taught student who has to resit exams, or you need to resubmit your dissertation, you may only be eligible for the Graduate Route if the resit/resubmission takes place AND official results are released before your Student immigration permission expires.

Resits / reassessments in a defined assessment period

If you are undertaking an exam or submitting work in the relevant re-sit period, the university will consider sponsorship of your Student Visa (issuing a CAS) for the applicable re-sit period only. Your visa should cover the re-sit period. The Home Office should permit you to stay in the UK for up to another four months (depending), allowing your work to be marked and the following applicable board to consider your eligibility for an award.

When applying for a new student visa, you should be issued with additional time based on the overall length of your course (and not just for the new sponsorship period). Please see our website pages entitled Student Visa "Check your Visa"

Can I undertake a re-sit outside of the re-sit period?

If your School or Institute schedules a different submission or assessment date (e.g., an earlier date), QMUL will not be able to sponsor your Student Visa as it is not within the formal re-sit period. This usually means that you will not be eligible for the Graduate Visa. Your School or Institute may be trying to help you by allowing you to submit earlier, but if it is not possible for your work to be marked and your degree to be awarded before your current immigration permission expires, you would not be eligible for the Graduate Visa.

Can I apply for an extension?

Where there are relevant extenuating circumstances, your School or Institute may agree to grant you a short extension, provided it would still be possible for your work to be marked in time to be considered at the degree board and before your current student visa expires. However, your School or Institute should carefully consider whether they have the resources to support such a request.

If it will not be possible to mark your work in time and the extenuating circumstances are sufficient, you may be able to apply for a first-sit instead. You should then submit your work during the next applicable re-sit period and you may request a CAS for that period.

Please see the Immigration Compliance pages of the QMUL website for information on requesting a CAS to extend your student visa.

For further information about the exceptional circumstances in which you request a CAS for a dissertation resubmission after your visa expiry date, see our guidance   on r esitting a project or dissertation .

Interruption of study and eligibility for the Graduate Route visa

The university can only sponsor Student Visas for those undertaking exams or re-submitting work during these formal re-sit periods. In some cases this may mean that it will be possible for you to extend your student visa in the UK, but in other cases you may need to apply for a new student visa in your home country in order to return to the UK for the resit period.

For example, if you will be re-sitting out of attendance in order to complete your studies and there is a substantial gap between the expiry date of your current student visa and the assessment period, you may need to apply for a new student visa from outside the UK.  You should seek advice on this.

Even if there is a break in your studies and time in the UK as a result of this, you may still meet the Graduate Route requirement for study in the UK (minimum time required to be in the UK) because all the periods of student visa that you have held should count toward this requirement.

The Graduate Route caseworker guidance states " For the purposes of assessing the Study in the UK requirement, the caseworker must consider all periods of Student permission which were granted to study the eligible qualification that the applicant subsequently successfully completed. This means that an applicant who was unable to complete their studies in one period of Student permission, for reasons such as maternity leave or sickness, and who consequently deferred their studies and completed the course of studies at a later date with Student permission, will have all those periods counted."

When your visa is issued

If your application is successful, you will get either:  

• a biometric residence permit  - if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre or you are a visa national.   
• a digital immigration status which you can view and prove online  - if you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app and are a non-visa national. If you get a digital immigration status, you will not receive a BRP card.  

You will be able to generate a share code to prove your right to work in the UK.   

Part-time Students and eligibility

Students on part-time courses with Student permission at the time of application will be eligible for the Graduate Route, provided they meet all of the  other eligibility criteria.  

Please note, the  UKCISA information confirms  that you cannot start work until your Graduate Route permission is granted.  

If you need individual advice

Contact the UKCISA Student advice line

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)

For detailed information including money and fees, travelling in and outside the UK and starting work

Further advice

Find out how to look for a regulated immigration adviser.

Post Study Work (PSW) Visa UK: The Graduate Route

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Cruise into the graduate route

Students from all over the world migrate to the UK for the chance to study at some of the best universities in the world. Over 600,000 international students flock to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland every year to pursue their undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and PhDs. After completing their education, students often want the chance to work in the UK for a couple of years. The UK post study work visa offers you that chance and has a point-based immigration system to streamline the visa process for international students. Applying can seem daunting at first, but we’ve broken down every step of the process so you can start your journey with ease. 

What is the UK graduate route?

Before the UK’s new immigration system was introduced, it was incredibly difficult for international students to find work in the country after their courses. However, with the new visa, students can apply for a post study work permit that allows them to stay in the country for up to 2 or 3 years after completing their studies. 

This is an unsponsored visa, meaning that you do not need to have a job offer in hand to be eligible to apply. This visa cannot be extended and does not lead to permanent settlement in the UK. You do not need to show any English language proficiency, nor must you provide any proof of funds. 

What is the difference between a graduate and PSW Visa?

The United Kingdom has established the “Graduate Visa” (PSW Visa) or the “UK Graduate Visa” (Graduate Route). This visa  allows international students who have successfully completed their graduation at a UK higher education institution to stay and work in the UK for a set amount of time after theyv have completed their studies. The following  are the key differences between a graduate and a PSW visa:

1. Name and purpose

Graduate Visa : This is a catch-all name for visas issued by several nations that allow international graduates to stay and work after finishing their education.

UK Graduate Visa : This is a special visa category created by the UK government to keep talented international graduates and allow them to obtain work experience in the UK once they complete their education.

2. Eligibility Criteria

Graduate Visa : The requirements for a graduate visa may differ from one country to the next. In general, a degree or higher qualification from an accredited educational institution in the host nation is required.

UK Graduate Visa : Student smust have an approved or finished degree at a higher education institution with a track record of complying with UK immigration regulations may be one of the specified requirements.

3. Duration of Stay and Work Rights

Graduate Visa : The duration of stay and employment rights connected with a graduate visa are determined by the host country's immigration regulations.

UK Graduate Visa : As of my latest update, the UK Graduate Route enabled international students to stay and work in the UK for a maximum of two years (for undergraduate and master's degree holders) or three years (for Ph.D. graduates). During this time, visa holders were permitted to work or seek employment without the need for a sponsor.

UK Graduate Route Eligibility Requirements

Most international students will be eligible to apply. Some of the basic eligibility requirements are: 

• Qualification: You must have completed a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, or a Ph.D. from a recognised university or higher education institution.
• Study location: Your degree must have been awarded by a UK higher education institution with a track record of compliance with immigration requirements.
• Visa type: You must have a valid Tier 4 or Student visa at the time of application or have completed your course within the last two years.
• Course completion: You must have successfully completed your degree course and obtained your degree from a recognised UK university or higher education institution.
• Validity: You must apply for the UK post study work visa within two years of the date you completed your degree, or within two years of the date you were granted your Tier 4 or Student visa.
• English language proficiency : You must meet the English language requirements. You can do this by either passing an approved English language test or by having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher.
• Financial requirements: You must demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds. The amount of money you need will depend on your circumstances.
• Good character: You must not have a criminal record and must not have breached UK immigration laws.

Required degrees for applying for a PSW Visa

To apply for a PSW Visa you must have finished the following courses or degrees:

• A Bachelor’s Degree.
• A Master’s Degree.
• PhD or higher doctoral degree in any field.
• A law conversion course approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland.
• Legal Practice Course in England or Wales.
• Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or Bar Course in Northern Ireland.
• A professional legal practice diploma in Scotland.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
• Foundation program in medicine or dentistry.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
• Any course regulated by UK law or a UK public body.

Documents required to apply for the graduate route visa

The most important documents needed for your application are:

• A valid passport
• Your most recent CAS letter (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) 
• A biometric residence permit or BRP
• Documents from your education loan provider (if any)

If you want to travel in London like a localite, you can check out our ultimate guide to UK transportation blog.

What is a BRP?

BRP is a Biometrics Residence Permit used to confirm the identity of someone residing in the UK. It is also used to authenticate your right to study and ability to use any public services or benefits. Your BRP will include the following details:

• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• Fingerprints
• Photo of your face
• Immigration status
• Any additional benefits you have access to

Who can apply?

You’ll be eligible to apply for the PSW visa if you meet the following requirements:

• If you have been staying in the UK with a student visa.
• If you’ve studied a UK course(bachelor degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible courses) for a minimum of 12 months with your student visa.
• If your college or university can offer proof to the Home Office that you’ve successfully graduated.

How can you apply for the graduate route visa

The process has been made entirely digital and can be completed online. If your application goes smoothly and is approved, you will be issued an eVisa. 

Steps to apply:

• Visit GOV.UK  and click on “Start Now”
• Go through the guidelines carefully and create your account
• Verify your identity with your BRP or biometric passport
• Fill out the application form
• Upload your documents 
• Pay an application fee
• Pay a healthcare surcharge

When to apply?

Before your student visa expires, you must apply for the PSW Visa. You can apply once your university or college has informed the Home Office that you have completed the course you were enrolled in with your student visa. You must prove your identity and give your documentation as part of your application. 

Associated Costs

When you apply for the Post study work visa, you have to pay the following fee:

Check to see if you’re qualified for the Health and Care Worker Visa instead if you’re a doctor or nurse, or if you work in health or adult social care. It is less expensive to apply for, and there is no annual immigration health surcharge.

Processing Time

After you’ve successfully submitted your application, it will be assessed by the UKVI and they’ll get back to you within 4-8 weeks of biometrics processing. Many students are being contacted a week early during the lean processing times, so you can surely expect to get an answer soon. If you’re

Switching to a Different Visa

If you find a job, you’ll have to meet the eligibility criteria of the specific work visa if you’re planning to switch visas. Then you simply need to apply for another visa through the UK Government Website and UKVACS.

Terms and conditions for the PSW Visa

Once you’ve graduated and received your UK graduate work visa, you’re bound to follow these listed conditions:

• You are permitted to pursue additional education, but you’re not allowed to study with a student sponsor on a degree that would meet the requirements of the UK student visa, nor are you permitted to attend a public school
• You cannot bring new dependents 
• You’re not allowed to apply for the state pension or public funds
• Permission under the graduate route can only be granted once
• You’re not allowed to work as a sportsperson

How does Post Study Work Visa UK work?

The UK post study work visa is a type of visa that allows international students to stay in the UK for up to 2 years after completing their degree. It was introduced in 2020, and it is aimed at attracting the brightest and the best international students to study and work in the UK. 

• Duration: The UK post study Work Visa is valid for up to 2 years or up to 3 years for Ph.D. graduates.
• Work: During the validity of the UK post study work visa, you can work in any job or profession, including self-employment. You do not need a job offer to apply for a visa.
• Switching: If you are in the UK on a different visa, such as a Tier 2 Visa or a Student Visa, you can switch to the UK post study work visa if you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Settlement: The PSW visa UK does not lead to a settlement or permanent residency in the UK. However, it can provide you with valuable work experience and enhance your career prospects.
• Dependents: You can bring your dependents, such as your spouse or children, to the UK on a UK post study work visa.

What are the benefits of the UK post study work visa?

• Opportunity to gain work experience: The PSW  visa UK allows international students to work in the UK after they have completed their studies. This provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in their field of study, which can be beneficial for their future career prospects.
• Time to find a suitable job: The PSW visa allows international students to stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies, giving them ample time to find a suitable job. This is particularly beneficial for students who may not have secured a job offer before completing their studies.
• Chance to earn money : The PSW visa UK allows international students to work in the UK, which gives them an opportunity to earn money to support themselves financially. This can be especially beneficial for students who may have taken out loans to finance their studies.
• Opportunity to explore other career options: The PSW visa UK allows international students to explore other career options in the UK. They may discover new fields of interest or find a job that allows them to use their existing skills in a different way.
• Pathway to settlement: The PSW visa UK is a pathway to settlement in the UK. If international students are able to find a suitable job and meet the requirements for a work visa, they may be able to apply for permanent residency in the UK.

Kickstart your journey post-study with the UK PSW Visa!

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 What to do after the UK Post Study Work Visa Ends?

• Switch to a different visa category: You could switch to a different visa category if you are eligible. For example, if you have a job offer from a UK employer, you could apply for a Tier 2 visa. Alternatively, if you are married to a UK citizen or have a partner who is settled in the UK, you could apply for a Spouse or Partner visa.
• Extend your current visa: If you are eligible, you may be able to extend your current visa. For example, if you are on a Tier 4 (General) student visa, you may be able to extend it if you have an offer from a licensed Tier 2 sponsor or a start-up endorsed by an authorized endorsing body.
• Apply for a graduate job: If you are interested in staying in the UK, you could apply for a graduate job. If you find a job with a licensed Tier 2 sponsor, you could apply for a Tier 2 visa.

There’s everything you need to know about the graduate visa UK! We hope you’ve found this helpful and can now confidently begin your application. This visa offers up a world of possibilities for any international student currently in the UK. You can check out our blog to know more about student discounts in the UK . Grab this opportunity while you can! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you work on a post study visa uk, is uk removing psw in 2024, who is eligible for 2 year post study work visa uk, what happens after 2 years post study work visa in uk, what is the new rule for psw in uk.

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UK Post Study Work Visa Options

• Anne Morris
• 19 July 2023

IN THIS SECTION

If you’re an international student in the UK, there are a number of visa routes for you to consider that will allow you to remain in the country after you graduate.

Your UK post study visa options will depend largely on your circumstances and your plans for after you finish your course. For example, do you want to find a job or start a business in the UK, or do you want to return home and come back to the UK later?

It will be important to consider all of the options available to you, and if you do make an application, ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria, have the correct documentation and follow the correct process, since refusal rates for points-based visas are high.

You will also need to ensure you factor in all the costs of making a Home Office application, such as the Immigration Health Surcharge,  which you have to pay for each year of your grant of leave. Some visas will also require you to go through an endorsement process before you can apply for the visa, which can add time and cost to the process.

It is also your responsibility to avoid overstaying  and ensure you do not let your visa expire before making an application to remain in the UK.

UK post-study visa options for international graduates 

Under the current rules, international students could consider the following post-study visa options:

UK graduate route & post study work visa 

International students in the UK may be eligible to apply under the Graduate route to extend their stay for up to two years after graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or three years if studying a PhD.

The route is intended to open up the UK job market to international graduates and employers are expected to adjust their entry-level recruitment and graduate programmes to take full advantage of the new rules.

To be eligible, students will have to have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a UK higher education institution, and they must be able to evidence a clear and compliant immigration record. The visa is open to students of all subjects and disciplines and there is no cap on the number of post-study work visas available.

Graduates will be free to use the two (or three) years to find a job and to work, with no restrictions on the type or skill level of the role during this period of leave.

The Graduate route application costs £715. It is not possible to extend the Graduate visa, but you can apply for leave to remain under a different, longer-term visa category, such as finding sponsored work and switching to the Skilled Worker route .

Skilled worker visa

There continues to be no shortage of employers willing to sponsor graduates who bring specialist skills. The Skilled Worker Visa replaced the Tier 2 General visa in December 2020. It is open to individuals who attain the requisite number of points based on skill, language and salary requirements . You will also need to have a job offer from a licensed sponsor. You can find a list of those organisations with a sponsor licence on the government’s list of registered sponsors . Employers without a sponsor licence are able to apply for a licence to hire sponsored workers, provided they meet the eligibility and compliance criteria.

Note that you will only be able to apply to switch from the Student visa straight into this visa if you have either completed the course you were sponsored to study; or you have been studying for a PhD for at least 24 months; or if the course is full-time and degree-level or above at a provider with a track record of compliance, you can apply if the course has not yet completed and the job will start no earlier than the course completion date.

The Skilled Worker visa lasts five years – provided you continue to meet the conditions of your visa such as having sponsored employment – and it offers a direct route to UK indefinite leave to remain . You can also be accompanied in the UK by your dependants.

Innovator Founder visa 

The Innovator Founder visa allows foreign nationals to set up and run their own business in the UK. It replaced the Innovator route  and  Start up visa , and is now the primary visa category for foreign entrepreneurs.

You will only be able to apply to switch into this visa if you have either completed the course you were sponsored to study or you have been studying for a PhD for at least 24 months.

The visa lasts up to three years, at which stage, provided you meet the relevant requirements, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain , otherwise known as settlement.

Applicants applying from overseas must pay £1,036, or the cost is £1,292 if applying from within the UK to switch status.

Global Talent route 

The Global Talent route is aimed at those who can evidence status as a leader or potential leader in one of the fields covered by the visa. These include:

• academia or research
• arts and culture
• digital technology

Global Talent visa holders do not need to have secured employment, nor do they need to be sponsored. Global talent applicants must either have been awarded a ‘prestigious prize’ – as specified in Appendix Prestigious Prizes’ – or secure endorsement from an approved institution before making the Home Office visa application.

You will only be able to apply to switch into this visa as an international student if you have either completed the course you were sponsored to study or you have been studying for a PhD for at least 24 months.

The Global talent visa costs £623 to apply.

Scale up visa 

The Scale Up route is designed for high-growth employers to recruit international talent more easily. It is a new type of hybrid visa, which initially requires sponsorship for the first six months of employment, after which the employee can change employers or role without the need to be sponsored .

The Scale up visa lasts for two years and can lead to indefinite leave to remain.

Applications cost £715 and can be made from inside or outside the UK.

Global Business Mobility visas 

Depending on your circumstances, such as being employed by an non-UK employer, you may need to look at the Global Business Mobility visas . These five visa categories are for specific types of workers coming to the UK to undertake specific, short-term work. These are:

• Graduate trainee visa
• Senior or specialist worker visa
• UK expansion worker visa
• Secondment worker visa
• Service supplier visa 

Each visa has its own rules and requirement, although one common requirement is that the worker has to be sponsored by a qualifying employer. In addition, you will only be able to apply to switch into this visa if you have either completed the course you were sponsored to study or you have been studying for a PhD for at least 24 months.

Long-term relationship or family basis

If you met your partner while studying in the UK, you may be eligible to remain on the basis of your relationship. A number of options may be available to you based on your relationship to a family member or under the long-term relationship rules such as civil partnership and spouse visas . The rules are strict however to deter fraudulent applications, and eligibility will depend on your personal circumstances including meeting strict financial requirements .

Temporary work visas 

There are a number of UK temporary work visas  to consider, including the Creative Worker visa , which provide short-term permission to carry out certain types of work in the UK. Each visa has its own requirements and rules. Again, you will only be able to apply to switch into temporary work visas if you have either completed the course you were sponsored to study or you have been studying for a PhD for at least 24 months.

Youth Mobility scheme

Nationals of certain countries between the ages of 18 and 30 can apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme to come to the UK for up to two years. You must however apply from outside the UK.

High Potential Individual visa 

The High Potential Individual visa is for graduates from non-UK institutions to come to the UK for up to two years, or three years with a PhD equivalent. It costs £715, with additional fees to check the application.

Need assistance?

DavidsonMorris specialise in UK immigration . Contact us with any queries about your visa options to remain in the UK after study, or if you are an employer looking to hire international graduates.

UK post study work visa FAQs

Who is eligible for post study work visa uk.

International graduates who have completed an undergraduate degree, or a Master's degree, or a PhD can apply under the Graduate route to remain in the UK on a short-term basis. Other work visa options may also be available depending on your circumstances, such as the Skilled Worker visa.

What is post study work visa in UK?

Eligible students can apply to remain in the UK for a further two years after graduating, or three years if they have a PhD. Graduates can use this period of leave to work or look for a job. There are no restrictions on the type of work that must be undertaken by PSW visa holders, and there is no cap on the number of PSW visas that can be issued.

Can you get PR in the UK after study?

Eligibility for UK indefinite leave to remain will depend on the individual being on a route that leads to ILR and meeting the ILR requirements. For example, if you apply for the PSW visa and then secure a sponsored job under the Skilled Worker route, you may become eligible for ILR after five years as a sponsored worker.

Last updated: 19 July 2023

About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

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Graduate Route visa

We have a long history of welcoming international students into the #LboroFamily and look forward to growing our vibrant and diverse community of students.

The Graduate route provides an opportunity for eligible international students with Tier 4 or Student visas, who have been awarded their degree, to stay in the UK and work, or look for work for 2 years, or 3 years for doctoral students.

The visa is open to international students commencing their studies in any recognised programme at an approved UK university. This applies to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Graduates will then be able to transfer to a skilled work visa if their employment matches the skill requirement of this route. Loughborough University (including Loughborough University London) is one of the recognised institutions for the international graduate route visa. Ranked as number one in the UK for student-employer connections*, we see this as an exciting opportunity for those who wish to build their career here in the UK.

If you would like further information about eligibility for the Graduate Route visa, please visit our International Student Advice and Support pages.

*QS 2020 Graduate Employability Rankings

Why study in the UK?

Find out about why studying in the UK is a great option for international students

Graduate Route information

For more information on the Graduate Route visa

Visa information

For more information about international student visas and application advice

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Information about the new Graduate Route

Route overview and basics.

Important :  If you are hoping to apply for the Graduate Route post study, it is your responsibility to ensure that you pass your course on time. If you have a suspension, resits or resubmissions you may not be able to meet the UKVI eligibility requirements. You should also note that the University cannot support applications for students who are carrying University debt or who have unresolved academic, or other, misconduct allegations.    

The UK government launched a 2-year (or 3-year for PhD) Graduate visa on 1st July 2021.

To qualify for the visa, students must:

• Have successfully completed an eligible qualification
• Have received formal email notification from the University Compliance Team confirming that it has reported the course completion to the UKVI
• Have spent a minimum period of time studying in the UK using a Tier 4 or Student visa
• Be in the UK with a valid Tier 4 visa or a valid Student visa at the time of application to the Graduate visa
• If in the last 12 months the student has received a scholarship or financial sponsorship from a Government or international scholarship agency covering tuition fees and living costs, consent must get be given by that sponsor for that student to remain in the UK under the Graduate visa.
• Must not have ever previously held either a Graduate Route or Doctoral Extension Scheme visa 

Except for babies born in the UK, eligibility for dependants is restricted to those already in the UK as dependants of a Student. See ‘Dependants’ section below.

Note: You are still under the immigration regulations relating to your Student/Tier 4 visa until your have received a decision on a Graduate Route application. This means there are restrictions on the type of work your can do. Please carefully read the section at the bottom of this page called 'Working while waiting for a Graduate Route decision (or pre application)'

Basics of the Graduate visa application:

• Can only be made from within the UK
• Can only be made by someone who currently has a valid Tier 4 or Student Route visa and has had that visa for at least 12 months (for courses of 12 months of more) or for the whole of their course (for courses of 12 months or less), unless Covid-19 concessions on distance learning apply
• Can only be made after an eligible course has been successfully and formally completed, formal results produced,  and the University Compliance Team has reported the completion to the UKVI
• Must not have previously held a visa under either the Graduate visa or the Doctoral Extension Scheme
• The University Compliance Team will automatically send an email , including the individual CAS number needed for the Graduate visa application, to all eligible students once degree results have been reported to the UKVI
• You cannot apply to the Graduate visa until you get that email/number from the Compliance Team. If you do, your visa application may be refused. Reporting will take place after degree results are confirmed by the relevant award board
• The course completed must be the same one as the one on the student's initial course CAS unless exempt. Please see the section ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies CAS’ below
• Will be made online using the UKVI IDV app or online and by attendance at a visa center
• Will cost £822 for the application (plus £822 each for any dependants)
• There is no additional maintenance requirement
• Consent from a Government or international scholarship body will be needed if the student has received financial support for tuition fees and living costs in the last 12 months.
• Will be subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge , which will be a total of £1,248 for graduates of a Bachelor or Master's degree, and £1,872 for PhD and doctorate graduates. This must be paid at point of application and if applying with dependants, this charge also applies to all dependant applicants. PLEASE NOTE: The IHS is due to increase to £2,070 for UG/PG and £3,105 for PhD/doctorate graduates.  This change will come into force on 6th February 2024.
• Bachelor and Masters graduates will automatically be granted a Graduate visa for 2 years
• PhD and Doctorate graduates will automatically be granted a Graduate visa for 3 years
• Only dependants who already have permission to be in the UK as the dependants on the main applicant's Tier 4 or Student Route visa may apply. You cannot switch the main applicant or add new dependants under the Graduate visa route
• Cannot be renewed or applied for again even after another period of study
• Does not count towards settlement
• Further study is restricted
• Permits switching into other work categories from within the UK

Eligibility requirements

Valid Tier 4 or Student permission   

You will need to be in the UK with valid Tier 4 or Student permission in order to apply for the Graduate visa.

You can also apply if you have held valid Tier 4 or Student permission, but this expired and you have been granted a period of Exceptional Assurance - provided you have not overstayed this period.

Successful completion requirement

You must have successfully completed the course of study which took place during your last grant of Tier 4 or Student Route permission. In the case of Student Sabbatical Officers, the course must have been completed during the last grant of leave prior to taking up the role of Sabbatical Officer.

The course completed must be the same course that was listed on your CAS used to obtain your current Tier 4 or Student permission. If you have changed course, it must have been a permitted change that didn’t require a new Student Route application.

If you changed course and are not sure if you are now eligible for the Graduate visa, please contact [email protected] for more advice.

Sponsor notification requirement

Swansea University must have informed the UKVI of your successful course completion before you apply for the Graduate visa.

The Compliance Team will automatically make a report to the UKVI confirming that you have successfully completed your course and then email you to confirm this has taken place.

It is important that you wait until you have received the notification email from the Compliance Team confirming that they have completed the reporting process before applying for the visa.

Making an application before receiving notification from the Compliance team may result in your visa application being refused.

Eligible qualification requirement

The course students must have successfully completed would usually be:

• A UK Bachelor degree
• UK Master's degree
• UK PhD or Doctorate degree

The full degree award (Bachelor, Master's, PhD) must be awarded in order to be eligible for the Graduate Route. Lower exit qualifications such as Diplomas and Certificates will not be eligible for Graduate Route. 

You can also apply if you have successfully completed:

• A law conversion course approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
• A Legal Practice Course
• A Bar Practice Course
• Foundation Programme in Medicine or Dentistry
• A Postgraduate Certificate in Education ( PGCE  and NOT a general PGCert in any other subject)
• A course that makes you eligible for a job that is regulated by UK law or public authority

Previous time spent on the Graduate Route visa

The Graduate Route visa is a one-time only visa.  This means you can only ever apply for and be granted the Graduate visa once in your lifetime.

For example if you are granted a Graduate Route visa following the successful completion a Bachelor degree level course, but at some later date you also complete a Master's and/or PhD course, you won't be able to re-apply for the Graduate Route after completing those later postgraduate courses. 

The same limit would apply if you had ever held immigration permission under the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES).

Study in the UK requirement

Please see the section below.

UK study requirement

The Graduate Route includes a requirement for students to have studied in the UK for a certain amount of time. This time is: at least 12 months or the full length of your course, whichever is shorter. Students who start their course in Autumn 2022 or later will need to meet this requirement.

NB: This 12 month UK requirement does not count for dependants, who can wait at home and join you during the last month or two of your course and still apply for Graduate Route as your dependants (see Dependants section below). However, due to the COVID pandemic, and students having been permitted to undertake periods of study from overseas, there are currently a series of concessions around this. These concessions state that rather than being in the UK for a certain amount of time, student must arrive in the UK by a certain date/have a student visa to be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route. Once they have arrived in the UK, students then need to stay in the UK to complete their course. These concessions are outlined in the  UKVI COVID-19 Guidance for Student Sponsors. These concessions are covered on paragraphs 3.23- 3.27 and are reproduced/explained below for you: 3.23 Students who began a course of 12 months or less in 2020 or Spring 2021 via distance learning, and who have not previously entered the UK to study that course will be able to make a Graduate application if they make a successful Student visa application and arrive in the UK either before their visa ends or by 27 September 2021, whichever is sooner. 3.24 Students who began a course of 12 months or less in 2020 or 2021 who have existing permission as a Student to study that course, and who have already travelled to the UK during that period of permission, will be able to make a Graduate application as long as they are present in the UK before the end date of their permission.

3.25 Students who commence a course of 12 months or less in Autumn 2021 or Spring 2022 via distance learning from overseas must enter the UK no later than 30 June 2022 and complete that course of study in the UK with permission as a Student to be eligible for the Graduate Route. Students should travel once they are able to do so. 3.26 Students who would normally only be sponsored to study in the UK on the Student route for the last year of a longer course, such as those on articulated degree programmes, will be considered as being on a course of 12 months or less for the purpose of this requirement. 3.27 Students sponsored for a course lasting longer than 12 months will not be prevented from being eligible for the Graduate route as a result of any distance learning that took place either in the UK or overseas between the period of 24 January 2020 and 27 September 2021 or any distance learning which took place overseas between 27 September 2021 and 30 June 2022. If a Student’s current permission expires prior to 30 June 2022, they must enter the UK prior to the expiry of their Student permission rather than 30 June 2022.

If you have not yet applied for your visa and need information about what the end date granted is likely to be, see the ‘Visa Lengths’ section in the Student Route information here .

Application Timing, Process and Costs

Timings and format of applications The Graduate Route application will be made online and is usually a quick and easy application to submit. The UKVI intend you to be able to verify your identify and make the application using an ID Check App which you download to your phone as part of the application process. You should not usually need to submit any documents (unless you were a sponsored student - see the Consent to Remain section below) but you will need your most recent CAS number to include in your application - see below.

Timings and application  You will not be able to make a Graduate Route application until formal results have been released and verified to the Home Office. This process will happen automatically at the earliest point possible according to UKVI Sponsor requirements. Once this process has taken place, all students who are eligible to apply for Graduate Route will be sent a notification email by the Student Compliance team telling them that they are now eligible to apply for the Graduate Route. This email will also contain the relevant CAS number you will need to include in your application. IMPORTANT : Students will not need to request this email/CAS number or tell the University they wish to apply for the Graduate Route. All eligible students will be sent the information and then it is your personal choice whether you wish to apply. You cannot make the process go any quicker, so expect to receive the Graduate Route notification email within 2-3 weeks of your results. All students within an examination cohort will receive the information at the same time via a bulk communication. You do not have to make your Graduate Route application straightaway but you will have to make the application before your student visa expires.

All applications are made online and information on the process, as well as the link to start the application process can be found on the  Gov.UK website here.

There is also a very informative and useful  Home Office Graduate Route information sheet

The process will be slightly different depending on whether you have a valid biometric passport or biometric residence card (BRP).

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland who hold a biometric passport and non-EU citizens holding a valid BRP will complete an online application form and will then be invited to verify their ID document and submit supporting documents via the UK Immigration: ID Check App.  You will need a UKVI account or to create a new one. You won’t have to attend any visa centre appointments, everything will be done online via the ID Check App.

Students who cannot use the App, either because they don’t have the correct biometric document (e.g. the BRP has been lost, the biometric chip is damaged or who cannot download the App to their device) will be able to complete the online application form and then attend a visa application center to submit documents and provide biometric information (digital photo and signature, fingerprints).

Finance information

Applicants will not need to evidence up front living costs but they will need to pay for both the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and the visa application fee at the point of submitting the application.  You will need a valid debit or credit card and you may need to contact your bank to check any payment limits or your card and to let them know you will be making these payments (or they could be refused).

Current fees are outlined in the table below:

Further information Once you have submitted your Graduate Route visa application, you and any dependants should not travel outside the UK while the visa application is being decided. Doing so will automatically withdraw your application.

Students who are granted their Graduate visa after having applied using the ID Check App will receive an email with a PDF of their decision letter and a digital status which can be accessed via the UKVI portal ‘View and prove your immigration status’. 

Visa nationals will also receive a new biometric residence permit (BRP).

Only dependants who are already in the UK with valid permission as your Tier 4 / Student Route dependant can apply for Graduate Route with you.

When your dependants apply to come to the UK depends on your personal, financial and practical situation and you should pay particular attention to the information about finances, accommodation and responsibilities listed on our pages. Some students believe that if they want to apply for the Graduate Route after they have studied, then  their families must be here in the UK with them for the duration of their course in order to be eligible.   This is not true -  only the  student  must have been in the UK for the whole length of the course, a dependant just has to be a  Student Dependant  (and have arrived in the UK)  by the time you make the Graduate Route application . Therefore, it is possible for dependants to  apply for their visas at the same time as you and then stay at home and join you later  (by obtaining a Dependant's visa via your Tier 4/Student Route visa) in the last month or so of your course (e.g. perhaps July/August 2024 for courses that start in September 2023). We know that lots of students are not aware of this and so are bringing it to your attention.

Why would I want to bring my family to the UK towards the end of my studies instead of the beginning? There are several reasons why you may want to do this: •  Cost of living and rental prices  are very high in the UK, especially for family accommodation, you may want to save this additional expense until both parents can legally be working full time in the UK to help cover these costs • You may want to live close to family and friends,  who are not in the Swansea area  to help with accommodation or childcare costs (the University does not hold any responsibilities relating to these). While you are studying, you and your family are restricted to living a  maximum of 50 miles from the Campus . Under the Graduate Route, you can live and work where you like. • Family accommodation is  very scarce in Swansea and can be very expensive , your family coming later allows more time to look for suitable/affordable accommodation in the Swansea area or, after your course is finished, to look elsewhere in the UK if you so wish! • Single person accommodation is plentiful and reasonable in Swansea and so this could save both money and stress! • Coming as a student and bringing your family later allows you to truly focus on your studies, to get great grades and to complete within time Of course, it will be a  personal choice  on what you decide to do in relation to bringing your dependants. However, we just wanted to ensure that you were fully informed about your options in relation to Graduate Route and the timings of this.

The only exception to the need for a dependant to already have a Student Route Dependant visa in order to switch to Graduate Route dependant is for babies born in the UK during your last grant of Tier 4 / Student Route permission .

How will my dependants apply under the Graduate Route

How your dependants will apply will depend on whether they have their own BRPs. If your dependant does have a BRP of their own, they will be able to make their own individual applications using the ID Check App. Please use the UKVI  Graduate Route partner and children application links. 

Unfortunately it isn't possible to add the dependant applications if you used the ID Check App to submit your Graduate Route visa application.

If you didn't use the ID Check App yourself but will attend an appointment at a visa centre instead, your application form will allow you to add your dependants to your own application form and you would then book and attend an appointment at the visa centre together as a family at the same time.  

Family relationships should be subsisting and you should intend to live together in the UK throughout time spent the Graduate visa holder is living in the UK.

There are some additional requirements for child dependants who are aged 16 and above at the time of application. Please contact International@CampusLife for more information if any of your child dependants are 16 years or over. 

A child born in UK during your last grant of Tier 4 / Student and who does not have their own student dependant visa can apply but you will need to submit the child’s full UK birth certificate with the Graduate visa application.  

Changes to your study (inc. extensions, resits and repeats)

You must have been awarded the qualification for the course listed on the Tier 4 / Student Route CAS unless you made a permitted course change that did not require you to re-apply for new permission.  

A permitted change of course includes:

• undertaking a different course at degree level or above, where the University confirmed to the UKVI at the time of change that the previous and new courses are related or support the student’s career aspirations
• adding or removing a work placement to the course
• adding or removing a study abroad programme
• leaving an integrated PhD or master’s programme with the lower-level qualification e.g. leaving an integrated master’s programme with a bachelor’s qualification
• intercalating students on medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine and science courses
• completing a course where the University changed the title of your course title or the course contents after issuing the CAS, but without the need to make a new visa application

If you changed your course at any time and you are unsure how this might affect your eligibility to apply for the Graduate visa, please contact [email protected]

 It is also important to note that if you have an extension to a module, resits or repeats, this may affect your ability to apply for the Graduate Route . In order to apply, you need to have completed your course and received your formal results before your Student visa expires. Always ask your College about when your results will available if you have, or are thinking about, a change to your course end date. Do not assume that you can get an extension to your Student visa in order to 'wait' for results in the UK.

Consent to remain in the UK

If in the last 12 months you have received a scholarship or financial sponsorship from a Government or an international scholarship agency covering tuition fees and living costs for your study in the UK you will need to get your sponsors written consent giving you permission to stay on in the UK. You will need to submit this to the UKVI as part of your Graduate visa application.

Graduate Route Visa Conditions

Once your Graduate Route visa has been granted you can do any type of work you like, for any employer.  The employer does not have to have a UKVI licence to employ you if you hold a Graduate Route visa.  You can take a permanent full-time job and you can be self-employed.   

The only job you cannot do is work as a professional sports person or coach. The UKVI defines what it means by a professional sportsperson or coach within the immigration rules .

If you have submitted an application for the Graduate Route visa but you have not yet received an outcome to that application, your working rights while you wait for the visa to be granted will differ depending on when you applied for your most recent Student visa.  Please see the section below ' Working while waiting for a Graduate Route decision (or pre-application)' . 

Study is restricted under the Graduate visa. You cannot study a course for which in theory a Student Route visa could be obtained.

Study that is permitted include: evening classes or recreational courses, study at a college/provider that doesn’t hold a Student sponsor licence, some professional courses. Please check with the course provider.

If the course required ATAS clearance you would need to obtain this before commencing study.

Working while waiting for a Graduate Route decision (or pre application)

Working before you have applied for the Graduate Route visa

As long as you have completed your course (this would be either the end date of the course as stated on your orignal CAS OR a later end date if you have had a course extension/resit - whichever is the later ) you are able to work full time whilst waiting to apply for the Graduate Route or while waiting for a decision. However, until you have formal notification from UKVI stating your Graduate visa has been granted, you are still bound under the working regulations of your previous Student or Tier 4 visa.

Under the Student/Tier 4 visa regulations, there are certain types of work that you cannot do. These include:

• self-employment and business activity
• professional sportsperson including as a sports coach, though there is an exception from 1 October 2019 for students at higher education providers doing  work placements  on a degree-level course
• entertainer, which includes actors, musicians, dancers and other performers, though there is an exception for students doing  work placements  on degree-level dance, drama and music courses 
• permanent full-time job

You should not be undertaking any of this type of work while still on your Student visa, before having applied for the Graduate Route visa. 

We have been seeing students signing ongoing contracts of future employment on the basis that they are going to apply for the Graduate Route - this should not be happening. You should not sign (nor should an employer be giving you) a contract of employment based on a potential and future visa status and this is putting both you and them at risk.

You need to make it clear to your employer that you cannot start a permanent  job (or sign a contract to that effect) until after you have submitted your Graduate Route application (and in some cases have your Graduate Route visa in hand - see below). To do so means you are in breach of your immigration status and they are at risk of breaking employment law.

Working after having applied for the Graduate Route visa but while still waiting for a decision

If you made your most recent Student visa application before 6th April 2022 you must wait for the Graduate Route visa to be granted before you commence any of the following:

• full-time permanent job role
• self employment
• work as an entertainer

If you made your most recent Student visa application on or after 6th April 2022 you can start a full-time permanent job while you wait for the Graduate Route visa to be processed but you must wait until the visa has been granted before you start any self-employment or work as an entertainer. 

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UK announces 2-year post-study work visa for international students

In a major boost for Indian students, the UK government has today announced a new two-year post-study work visa, expanding opportunities for talented international students to build successful careers in the UK.

The new ‘Graduate’ route will be open to all international students – including those from India – who have valid UK immigration status as a student and have successfully completed a course of study in any subject at undergraduate level or above at an approved UK Higher Education Provider. The visa will allow eligible students to work, or look for work, in any career or position of their choice, for two years after completing their studies.

This builds on UK government action to help recruit and retain the best and brightest global talent, as well as opening up opportunities for future breakthroughs in science, technology and research and other world-leading work that international talent brings to the UK.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

The new Graduate Route will mean talented international students, whether in science and maths or technology and engineering, can study in the UK and then gain valuable work experience as they go on to build successful careers. It demonstrates our global outlook and will ensure that we continue to attract the best and brightest.

Sir Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India, said:

This is fantastic news for Indian students, who will now be able to spend more time in the UK after completing their degree, allowing them to gain further skills and experience. The UK is home to some of the best higher education institutions in the world and continues to welcome international students. I’m delighted that numbers of Indian students coming to study in the UK are constantly increasing, having doubled over the last three years. Last year alone we saw a massive 42% increase. This exciting announcement will help ensure that the UK remains one of the best destinations for students across the world.

The UK welcomes genuine students from India and the rest of the world for the positive contribution they make to the UK. Indian student numbers have significantly increased over the last three years, reaching almost 22,000 in the year ending June 2019. This was a 42% increase on the previous year – and almost 100% higher than three years ago. In addition, 96% of all Indians who apply for a UK visa are successful – meaning the vast majority of those who wish to come to the UK are able to do so.

This announcement follows the creation of a new fast-track visa route for scientists and the removal of the limit on PHD students moving into the skilled work visa route, which collectively aim to cement the UK as a science superpower and a world-leader in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) sector. Almost half of all Indian students (almost 130,000 since 2008/9) heading to UK in the last ten years chose a STEM subject.

Further information

Often referred to as a ‘Post-Study Work visa’ in India, the new Graduate route will launch for the 2020/21 intake of students to university. After the two years, they will be able to switch onto the skilled work visa if they find a job which meets the skill requirement of the route. Further details will be announced in due course.

The visa will offer opportunities to work or look for work after graduating. However, unlike the route which closed in 2012, this new route will also include safeguards to ensure only genuine, credible students are eligible.

The status of each higher education institution will be shown in the register of licenced sponsors, which is publicly available on the GOV.UK website .

This follows a shake-up of immigration rules announced by the Prime Minister in August to encourage the world’s top scientists to move to the UK.

The UK has seen a strong increase in Indian student numbers in recent years. The latest available statistics are on the Home Office website . Specifically, in the year ending June 2019:

Almost 22,000 student visas were granted to Indian nationals – a 42% increase on the previous year and almost 100% higher than the year ending June 2016.

In addition, over 500,000 visit visas were granted to Indian nationals – more than 1 in 5 of all visit visas.

More than 56,000 Indians received skilled work visas – a 5% increase compared to the previous year, which is also the largest increase for any country.

The numbers of Indian students studying STEM subjects in the UK were provided by British Council from the HESA Student record 2007/08 - 2017/18. Data in original format is available on the HESA website .

UK announces two-year post-study work visa for international students

For media queries, please contact:

Sally Hedley, Head of Communications Press and Communications, British High Commission, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 Tel: 24192100; Fax: 24192400

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