What Is the UK Graduate Visa?
The UK Graduate Visa โ commonly referred to as the Post-Study Work (PSW) visa โ is the immigration route that allows international students to remain in the United Kingdom after completing their degree. It is one of the most significant benefits of studying in the UK, and one of the primary reasons international students choose British universities over institutions in the United States, Canada, or Australia.
In 2026, the Graduate Visa provides 2 years of unrestricted work and living rights for undergraduate and master's graduates, and 3 years for PhD graduates. There is no minimum salary requirement, no employer sponsorship needed, and no restriction on which roles or industries you can work in.
Who Is Eligible for the Graduate Visa?
To qualify for the Graduate Visa, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You studied at a UKVI-approved university in the United Kingdom (the vast majority of UK universities hold this status)
- You completed your degree in the UK โ online-only programmes or courses completed abroad do not qualify
- You hold a valid UK Student Visa at the time of application
- You have not previously been granted a Graduate Visa
- Your university has confirmed your graduation to UKVI (this happens automatically when your degree is awarded)
Crucially, the Graduate Visa is not available to distance learners or students who completed their course entirely outside the UK. You must have physically studied in the UK.
How Much Does the Graduate Visa Cost?
The Graduate Visa application fee in 2026 is ยฃ822. This is a one-time, non-refundable payment made when you submit your application. There is no Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to pay โ NHS access continues from your Student Visa period without additional charge.
There is no priority service available for the Graduate Visa โ standard processing is typically 8 weeks from the date of application.
How Long Can You Stay?
- Undergraduate and master's graduates: 2 years
- PhD and doctoral graduates: 3 years
The Graduate Visa cannot be extended. Once it expires, you must switch to another immigration route โ most commonly the Skilled Worker visa โ or leave the UK.
What Can You Do on the Graduate Visa?
The Graduate Visa gives you broad freedom to work and live in the UK:
- Work in any job, in any sector, at any salary level
- Work any number of hours โ there is no weekly limit
- Switch employers as many times as you wish
- Work for multiple employers simultaneously
- Be self-employed or start your own business
- Study further (as a self-funded student)
- Travel in and out of the UK freely
What You Cannot Do on the Graduate Visa
- Claim most public funds (benefits, housing allowance, tax credits)
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
- Bring dependants (spouse, children) โ since January 2024, taught master's and undergraduate students can no longer bring family members on the Graduate route. PhD and government-sponsored students may still be eligible.
How to Apply
The Graduate Visa application is made entirely online through the UK Visas and Immigration portal. The process is straightforward:
- Receive official confirmation of your degree award from your university
- Ensure your Student Visa is still valid (you cannot apply from outside the UK)
- Submit your online application and pay the ยฃ822 fee
- Provide your biometric residence permit details and passport information
- Wait for your new Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa confirmation
You must apply within the UK โ you cannot apply for the Graduate Visa from abroad. Apply within 3 months of graduating, before your Student Visa expires.
Important: Apply Before Any Policy Changes
The UK government has conducted several reviews of the Graduate Visa route in recent years. The route has been maintained but modified โ most recently restricting dependant rights from January 2024. The duration for undergraduates and master's graduates is also set to reduce from 2 years to 18 months for students graduating from January 2027 onwards.
If you want to benefit from the full 2-year Graduate Visa, you need to complete a course that finishes before 1 January 2027. Students starting a 1-year master's in September 2025 or January 2026 are well-positioned to graduate before this deadline.
From Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker Visa
Most Graduate Visa holders who wish to remain in the UK long-term use their 2 years to secure employment and switch to the Skilled Worker visa. To do this, you need:
- A job offer from a UK employer with a valid UKVI Sponsor Licence
- A salary meeting the minimum threshold (currently ยฃ38,700 for most roles, or the going rate for the occupation if higher)
- The role must be at RQF Level 3 or above (roughly A-level equivalent)
With 2 years to job search and build your UK career, the Graduate Visa creates a genuine pathway to long-term UK residence โ and ultimately Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years on the Skilled Worker visa.