The Graduate visa allows eligible international students to remain in the UK after successfully completing a qualifying UK course. It provides an opportunity to work, seek employment or become self-employed without employer sponsorship.

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At a glance

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Where to apply: Inside the UK only.

Previous status: Normally current Student or Tier 4 (General) permission.

Job offer: Not required.

Length of stay: Two years for qualifying non-doctoral applications made by 31 December 2026; 18 months from 1 January 2027. Qualifying doctoral graduates receive three years.

Extension: Not available; a later switch to another route may be possible.

Settlement: No direct route.

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Main eligibility requirements

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You must normally apply before your Student permission expires. Your education provider must be a licensed higher education provider with a track record of compliance and must have notified the Home Office of successful course completion before you apply.

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You must have completed a qualifying UK bachelor's or postgraduate degree, or another qualification expressly recognised under the Graduate rules.

 

Examples include specified professional legal courses, PGCE and PGDE qualifications.

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You must normally have studied in the UK for the whole course if it lasted 12 months or less, or for at least 12 months if it lasted longer. The rules contain provisions for permitted study abroad and historic COVID-19 arrangements.

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You must not previously have held Graduate permission or permission under the Doctorate Extension Scheme. Suitability requirements and any necessary consent from an official scholarship sponsor must also be met.

 

English, finance and work

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There is no new English language test, fixed maintenance-funds requirement, sponsored job offer or minimum salary requirement for this application. The application fee and healthcare surcharge normally apply.

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You can work in most roles and undertake self-employment. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach or claim public funds.

 

Restrictions apply to study on courses eligible for the Student route.

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Confirmed change from 1 January 2027

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For qualifying non-doctoral graduates, the application date determines the grant:

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Applications made on or before 31 December 2026: two years.
Applications made on or after 1 January 2027: 18 months.

Qualifying PhD and other doctoral graduates: three years.

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The course start date and graduation-ceremony date do not determine which period applies.

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Partners and children

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Existing eligible Student-route dependants can normally apply to continue as Graduate dependants. A new partner cannot normally join through this route for the first time.

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There are specific provisions for children born in the UK. The rules now also cover eligible children born in the UK during a parent's current Graduate permission, following the August 2026 change.

Evidence commonly required

Passport and current immigration-status details; the CAS reference from the relevant Student application; confirmation that the provider has reported successful completion; any required official scholarship consent; and relevant dependant documents.

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Application process

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1. Confirm successful completion has been reported to the Home Office.
2. Check the qualification, UK study period and visa-expiry date.
3. Apply online from inside the UK and complete payment and identity checks.
4. Remain within the permitted travel area while the application is pending; leaving the Common Travel Area normally withdraws the application.

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Common issues

Applying before the provider's notification, after permission expires or from overseas can prevent approval. Completing a second degree does not provide a second Graduate visa.

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Frequently asked questions

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Must I wait for my graduation ceremony?

No. You can apply once successful completion has been reported and the other conditions are met.

 

Does Graduate time count towards Skilled Worker settlement?

It does not count towards that route's ordinary five-year qualifying period. It may be relevant to a separate long-residence assessment.

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