UK Graduate Route Visa

The UK Graduate Route(formerly known as the Post-Study Work Visa) allows international students to stay and work in the UK for 2-3 yearsafter completing their degree.

UK Graduate Route Overview

Key Feature	Details
Visa Type	Temporary work visa
Duration	2 years(Bachelor’s/Master’s) or 3 years(PhD)
Work Rights	Full-time, part-time, self-employed
Eligibility	Must have completed a UK degree
Processing Time	8 weeks (standard)
Fee	£822 (plus £1,035 IHS surcharge)

Eligibility Requirements

For Applicants:

• Completed a degreeat a UK-recognised institution(Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD)
• Studied in the UKon a Student Visa (Tier 4)for at least 12 months
• Valid Student Visaat the time of application
• No criminal record(UK immigration compliance)

For Universities:

• Must be a UK government-approved Higher Education Provider
• Must confirm course completionto UKVI

Benefits of the Graduate Route

• No job offer required– work freely in any role
• No minimum salaryrequirement
• Switch employerswithout restrictions
• Can be self-employedor start a business
• Brings dependents(if already in the UK on a Student Visa)

Application Process

• Complete your UK degree (university must notify UKVI)
• Apply online(before Student Visa expires)
• Pay fees:
  • £822application fee
  • £1,035/yearImmigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• Verify identity via UK Immigration ID Check app (or biometrics)
• Receive decision(usually within 8 weeks)

Work Rights & Restrictions

• Work full-time or part-time(no restrictions)
• Switch jobsfreely (no sponsorship needed)
• Start a business(no investor requirements)
• Cannot work as a professional sportsperson
• Cannot extendbeyond 2/3 years (must switch to another visa)

Bringing Dependents

• Only if they were already dependentson your Student Visa
• New dependents cannot be addedafter switching to Graduate Visa
• Dependents can work full-time

Switching to Other Visas

After the Graduate Route, you can switch to:

• Skilled Worker Visa(if you get a sponsored job)
• Global Talent Visa(if eligible)
• Innovator Founder Visa(for entrepreneurs)
• Family Visa(if marrying a UK citizen/resident)

Comparison With Other UK Work Visas

Visa	Duration	Job Offer Needed?	PR Pathway?
Graduate Route	2-3 years	No	No
Skilled Worker	5 years (extendable)	Yes	Yes
Global Talent	5 years	No	Yes
Youth Mobility	2 years	No	No

Common Reasons for Refusal

• Applied after Student Visa expired
• University did not confirm degree completion
• Criminal record or immigration violations
• Did not study in the UK for at least 12 months