Graduate Visa for Graduates of UK Universities
Eligibility
International students who have successfully completed a full course of study at bachelor’s degree level or above are eligible to apply for a Graduate visa. Successful applicants will have the right to legally reside in the UK and to work without being tied to a particular employer or to run their own business for up to two years if they apply on or before 31 December 2026, and for 18 months if they apply on or after 1 January 2027. Graduates who have completed a PhD programme are granted a Graduate visa for three years.
The key requirements for this type of visa are the successful completion of an eligible course of study and having a valid Student visa at the time of application. The course must have been completed at a UK higher education provider (except for permitted periods of study undertaken outside the UK as part of the relevant educational programme).
Application Process
• The application can only be submitted from within the UK.
• An application can be submitted as soon as the student has successfully completed their course and their education provider has notified the Home Office of this. There is no need to wait until the degree certificate is issued.
Visa Duration and Immigration Status
If the application is successful, the Graduate visa is granted for 2 years if the application is submitted on or before 31 December 2026, and for 18 months if the application is submitted on or after 1 January 2027. Applicants who have completed a PhD are granted a Graduate visa for 3 years.
Study is permitted while holding a Graduate visa, provided that the course is not one for which the applicant would be eligible for a Student visa.
A Graduate visa can only be granted once and cannot be extended. Before it expires, the applicant must switch to another available immigration category, such as a work, student or family route, or leave the UK. It is possible to switch to another immigration category at any time, provided the relevant requirements are met.
The Graduate visa does not itself lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain. However, time spent on this route can count towards the qualifying period for settlement based on 10 years of lawful residence in the UK.
Dependants
The main applicant’s dependant family members — their husband, wife or partner and children — may also be able to obtain permission as Graduate dependants, provided that they were already in the UK as the applicant’s dependants under the Student route. They will normally be granted permission for the same period as the main applicant, with the right to work, access state education for children and use NHS healthcare.
Since the changes to the Student route, most international students are no longer permitted to bring dependant partners and children to the UK. Exceptions apply to certain government-sponsored students and students studying eligible postgraduate research programmes, including PhD programmes.
Home Office Fees
The Home Office application fee for the main applicant is £937.
The application fee for each dependant family member is £937.
The Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per year per person.
