Migration Overseas
Since 1998
Stay and work in the UK for 18 months (3 years for PhD graduates) after completing your degree, for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 get 2 years. No job offer required - work in any field, any role.
Key advantages of the UK Graduate Route visa.
No restrictions on the type of work. Take any job, freelance, or start a business. Full flexibility to explore career options.
Apply without a job offer. Take your time to find the right opportunity while legally staying and working in the UK.
Once you find a sponsored job, switch to Skilled Worker visa from within the UK. Path to ILR and citizenship.
Partners and children already in the UK on your Student visa can apply to stay as Graduate dependants. New dependants cannot be brought in on this route. Dependants can work, except as a professional sportsperson or coach.
Bachelors/Masters: 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027, or 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026. PhD: 3 years. Time to find sponsored work in the UK.
Unlike Skilled Worker visa, there's no minimum salary requirement. Work at any pay level you choose.
You must meet these requirements to apply for the Graduate Route.
You must be in the UK on a valid Student visa (or Tier 4) at the time of application.
Successfully completed an undergraduate degree, postgraduate degree, PGCE, or other eligible course at a UK university.
Your university must have a track record of compliance and hold a valid Student sponsor licence.
Must have studied in the UK under a Student visa for the full course if it lasts 12 months or less, or for at least 12 months of a longer course (apart from permitted study abroad programmes).
You must apply while in the UK. Cannot apply from outside the UK or after leaving.
Duration depends on your qualification level.
For applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 get 2 years
For doctoral degree holders
Major advantages of the Graduate Route visa.
Understand which visa suits your situation.
| Feature | Graduate Route | Skilled Worker |
|---|---|---|
| Job Offer Required | No | Yes |
| Minimum Salary | None | 41,700 GBP+ |
| Duration | 18 months from 1 Jan 2027 (2 years if applied by 31 Dec 2026; 3 years for PhD), fixed | Up to 5 years |
| Leads to ILR | No | Yes (10 yrs default) |
| Work Restrictions | None | Must work for sponsor |
| Switching Allowed | Yes | Yes |
How to apply for the Graduate Route visa.
Finish your eligible UK degree and receive your final results from your university.
Your university reports your successful completion to the Home Office and updates your Student record.
Submit your online application before your Student visa expires. You can apply while your course completion is pending confirmation.
Pay the visa fee (937 GBP) and Immigration Health Surcharge (1,035 GBP per year).
Attend appointment to provide fingerprints and photograph if required (or use the UK Immigration ID Check app).
Decision typically within 8 weeks. You can work on your new visa once approved.
Understanding the costs involved.
| Fee Component | Duration | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee | One-time | 937 GBP |
| IHS (18 months) | Bachelor's/Master's (from 1 Jan 2027) | 1,552.50 GBP |
| IHS (2 years) | Applications by 31 Dec 2026 | 2,070 GBP |
| IHS (3 years) | PhD/Doctorate | 3,105 GBP |
| Dependent Visa Fee | Per person | 937 GBP |
| Dependent IHS (2 yrs, applications by 31 Dec 2026) | Per person | 2,070 GBP |
The Graduate Route is often used as a stepping stone. Find a sponsored job and switch to Skilled Worker visa to begin your path to settlement (ILR) and British citizenship.
Use your Graduate visa period to secure a job with a licensed sponsor
No need to return home - apply to switch visa in the UK
Skilled Worker leads to ILR after 10 years by default, or 5 years above GBP 50,271
After 1 year with ILR, eligible for citizenship
Find answers to the most common questions about this visa.
The Graduate Route allows international students who complete eligible UK courses to stay and work (or look for work) in the UK without a job offer. The visa lasts 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026. Graduates with a PhD or other doctoral qualification get 3 years. Anyone starting a course now will normally apply under the 18-month rule.
You must have completed a UK bachelor's degree or above at a licensed institution, have a valid Student visa at time of application, and be in the UK when applying. You must also have studied in the UK under a Student visa for the full course if it lasts 12 months or less, or for at least 12 months of a longer course.
Yes, the Graduate Route is an unsponsored work visa. You can work for any employer in most jobs, look for work, or be self-employed during the visa period. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, and you cannot claim most public funds.
Time on the Graduate Route does not count towards settlement, and the earned settlement model confirmed by the Home Secretary on 2 November 2026 keeps it that way. It gives you time to find sponsored employment on the Skilled Worker route, where the default qualifying period for ILR is now 10 years, or 5 years for earners above GBP 50,271 in 3 of the last 5 years and specified public service roles. The detailed Immigration Rules are expected from the December 2026 Statement of Changes.
Apply after receiving your final results and completing your course, but before your Student visa expires. You must be in the UK to apply.
The visa fee is 937 GBP. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of 1,035 GBP per year, which is 1,552.50 GBP for 18 months, 2,070 GBP for 2 years or 3,105 GBP for 3 years.
Only partners and children who are already in the UK as dependants on your Student visa can apply to stay as Graduate Route dependants. New dependants cannot be brought in on this route, although they may be able to join you from outside the UK if you later switch to a visa such as Skilled Worker. Graduate dependants can work, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, but cannot claim public funds.
No, the Graduate Route cannot be extended. It is a one-time permission of 18 months (2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, or 3 years for doctoral graduates). You must switch to another visa category to remain in the UK.
Eligible courses include bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, PhDs, PGCEs, and other specified courses at licensed Higher Education Providers.
Yes, many graduates use the Graduate Route period to secure skilled employment and switch to Skilled Worker visa, which leads to settlement.
Apply for the Graduate Route visa and kickstart your UK career. We'll guide you through the application process.
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