The UK Graduate visa allows eligible international students to stay and work, or look for work, after successfully completing an eligible UK course. You must apply from inside the UK after your education provider has reported your successful completion to the Home Office, and before your Student visa expires. No job offer or employer sponsorship is required. The visa lasts two years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, or three years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification.
The UK Graduate visa, also called the Graduate route, is a temporary, unsponsored immigration route for eligible students who have successfully completed a qualifying course in the UK. It allows graduates to work in most jobs, look for employment or become self-employed, subject to the visa conditions. It cannot be extended and is not a route to settlement. Graduates who want to remain in the UK longer may be able to switch to another visa, such as Skilled Worker, if they meet that route’s requirements.
Last updated: 27 September 2026 Breadcrumb: Home → Study in UK → UK Graduate visa
For Indian students planning to study in the UK, the Graduate visa can be an important part of post-study career planning. However, eligibility depends on more than simply graduating from a UK institution: the course, qualification, sponsor status, study period and application timing all matter. Global Edge, counselling from Green Park, New Delhi, can help students review these factors during a SPEC9 profile evaluation. For work conditions during the course, see Working in UK After & During Study.
Who qualifies for a UK Graduate visa?
Who qualifies for the UK Graduate Route visa?
You may qualify if you are in the UK, have or last had permission as a Student, have successfully completed an eligible UK course, and your education provider has notified the Home Office of your successful completion by the date you apply. Your last Student sponsor must be a higher education provider with a track record of compliance. You must also meet the relevant qualification and UK study-period requirements and must not have previously been granted a Graduate visa or permission under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
| Eligibility check | What the rules require |
|---|---|
| Location | You must be in the UK when you apply. |
| Current or most recent permission | You must have, or have last had, permission as a Student. |
| Education provider | Your last Student sponsor must be a higher education provider with a track record of compliance on the application date. |
| Successful completion | You must have successfully completed the course undertaken during the relevant Student permission, and the sponsor must have notified the Home Office by the application date. |
| Qualification | Usually a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or a specified relevant qualification listed in Appendix Graduate. |
| UK study period | For a course lasting 12 months or less, you must have studied in the UK for the full course. For a longer course, you must have studied in the UK for at least 12 months, subject to the rules and permitted exceptions. |
| Previous Graduate permission | You must not previously have been granted permission as a Graduate or under the Doctorate Extension Scheme. |
Appendix Graduate sets out the route’s validity, suitability and eligibility requirements. Applicants must apply online from within the UK, have or have last had Student permission, meet the successful-course-completion and qualification requirements, and satisfy the UK study-period rules. Their Student sponsor must be a higher education provider with a track record of compliance and must have notified the Home Office of successful completion by the application date.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate | GOV.UK — Appendix Graduate
The route generally covers UK bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees, as well as specified relevant qualifications. These include certain law courses, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), and certain professional courses requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above in regulated professions. Check the exact qualification against the current rules rather than assuming every diploma, pathway or foundation course qualifies.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate, GR 5 | GOV.UK — Appendix Graduate
Before paying a deposit, check that the provider and course meet the Graduate route requirements. The register of licensed student sponsors can help you verify a provider’s status, but the relevant question is whether your last sponsor meets the Graduate route’s track-record requirement at the time of application. For a step-by-step provider check, read How to Verify a UK University.
There is also a scholarship-consent requirement in specific circumstances. If, during the 12 months before applying, you completed UK studies funded by a government or international scholarship agency covering both tuition fees and living costs, you must provide written consent from that government or agency.
When to apply for a UK Graduate visa
When can I apply for the Graduate visa relative to finishing my course?
You can apply after your education provider has notified the Home Office that you successfully completed your course. You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony or final certificate, but you must apply before your Student visa expires and while you are still in the UK. GOV.UK says applications usually receive a decision within eight weeks after the online application, identity checks and document requirements are completed.
“You can apply after your education provider has told the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed the course.”
Source: UKVI — Graduate visa | GOV.UK — Graduate visa
- Contact your university and confirm when it expects to report your successful course completion to the Home Office.
- Check your Student visa expiry date and ensure you apply before it expires.
- Make the Graduate visa application online through GOV.UK while you are physically in the UK.
- Pay the application fee and the applicable Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Prove your identity and provide the documents requested as part of the application.
- Remain in the UK while waiting for a decision if you have applied in time and are relying on your pending application. Check the rules before travelling, as leaving the UK, Common Travel Area or other relevant territory while an application is pending can affect it.
- After a decision, review your eVisa and the conditions of your new permission before starting work or making further plans.
The application date determines whether the standard Graduate visa lasts two years or 18 months. An application made on or before 31 December 2026 receives two years; an application made on or after 1 January 2027 receives 18 months. The duration for a PhD or other doctoral qualification is three years. For the change and its implications, see UK Graduate Visa Changes: 2 Years vs 18 Months.
If your UK studies were funded by a government or international scholarship agency that covered both fees and living costs, you may need written consent from that funder before applying. This requirement applies in the circumstances specified in Appendix Graduate GR 1.5.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate, GR 1.5 | GOV.UK — Appendix Graduate
How much does a UK Graduate visa cost?
What is the Graduate visa application fee and healthcare surcharge?
The published Graduate visa application fee is £937. Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is usually £1,035 per year for this route. The total depends on the length of permission granted: the published IHS amounts are £1,152.50 for 18 months, £2,070 for two years and £3,105 for three years. Check the official cost page before submitting your application, as fees may change.
| Graduate visa duration | Application fee | Published IHS amount |
|---|---|---|
| 18 months | £937 | £1,152.50 |
| 2 years | £937 | £2,070 |
| 3 years | £937 | £3,105 |
The UK government’s Graduate visa cost guidance lists a £937 application fee, plus the healthcare surcharge. The surcharge is usually £1,035 for each year of permission, with the amount adjusted for the visa duration. Applicants are shown the amount due during the application process.
Source: UKVI — Graduate visa: how much it costs | GOV.UK — Graduate visa costs
Include the Graduate visa fee and IHS in your post-study budget rather than treating them as part of the original Student visa payment. You should also plan for accommodation, travel, job-search expenses and any period between course completion and starting employment. For a wider financial overview, see Cost of Studying in UK.
Work rights on a UK Graduate visa
Does the Graduate visa let me switch employers freely?
Yes. The Graduate route is unsponsored, so you do not need an employer to sponsor your visa and can generally work in most jobs, change employers, look for work or become self-employed. However, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson and cannot access most public funds. The Graduate visa cannot be extended. If you want to remain in the UK after it expires, you must qualify for another immigration route.
| Generally permitted | Not permitted or restricted |
|---|---|
| Work in most jobs | Work as a professional sportsperson |
| Change employers without needing sponsorship for the Graduate permission | Extend the Graduate visa |
| Look for employment without having a job offer when applying | Access most public funds |
| Become self-employed | Study a course that meets the Student visa requirements on the Graduate route; an eligible Student visa application may be needed instead |
| Travel abroad and return while the visa remains valid | Assume the Graduate visa itself leads to settlement |
Appendix Graduate GR 8.2 sets out the conditions of grant. Work, including self-employment and voluntary work, is permitted except work as a professional sportsperson. Public funds are not permitted. Study is allowed subject to restrictions, including the relevant Student-route qualification and sponsor provisions and any applicable ATAS condition.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate, GR 8.2 | GOV.UK — Appendix Graduate
Myth: I need a graduate job offer before I can apply for a UK Graduate visa.
Reality: A job offer is not a requirement for the Graduate route. Applicants must meet the route’s eligibility and application requirements, including successful course completion, the required sponsor notification and applying from inside the UK before their Student permission expires.
Can my partner or children stay with me on a Graduate visa?
Some partners and children may be eligible to apply as Graduate dependants, but the rules are specific. In general, the route permits certain family members who already hold, or last held, qualifying dependant permission as the Student’s dependants, as well as certain children born in the UK in the circumstances set out in Appendix Graduate. A person cannot assume that a spouse or child who has never held qualifying dependant permission can automatically join the Graduate route.
Student dependant eligibility also depends on the student’s course and circumstances. For many international students starting taught postgraduate courses on or after 1 January 2024, dependant eligibility is restricted, with exceptions such as qualifying research-based higher degrees and government-sponsored students. Check the current Student and Graduate dependant rules before making family plans.
For official details, consult GOV.UK — Graduate visa and Appendix Graduate.
If you want a course checked against UK Graduate visa eligibility before paying a deposit, Global Edge can help you review the provider, qualification and study plan through a SPEC9 profile evaluation.
What Indian students should check before choosing a course for a UK Graduate visa
Course selection is an important part of Graduate route planning. Confirm the final qualification you will receive, the institution that will sponsor your Student permission, and whether the provider meets the Graduate route’s track-record requirement. A course advertised by a college or pathway provider may not itself lead to an eligible qualification. If the programme includes a pathway, transfer or progression arrangement, ask the university to confirm in writing which institution will sponsor you and which qualification will be awarded.
Check the UK study-period requirement as well. For a course lasting 12 months or less, the general rule requires the full course to have been studied in the UK. For a course longer than 12 months, the general requirement is at least 12 months of UK study. Specific provisions and exceptions may apply, including certain historic distance-learning arrangements; do not assume that an offshore or online study period will count without checking the rules for your circumstances.
Plan the Graduate visa application cost separately from your Student visa budget. The application fee and IHS are additional costs after successful completion. You should also consider how much time you will have to search for work under the applicable Graduate visa duration. For Indian students planning a UK master’s, compare course length, tuition, living costs and career objectives before committing. See Masters in UK for Indian Students and Cost of Studying in UK.
Before accepting a pathway or college offer, verify the final award and the sponsor responsible for your Student permission. A course name or marketing description alone does not establish Graduate route eligibility. Ask the institution to confirm the award, study location and sponsor details in writing, and compare that information with the current Immigration Rules before paying a non-refundable deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a UK job to get a UK Graduate visa?
No. The Graduate route is unsponsored, and a job offer is not required. You must meet the eligibility requirements, including successful completion of an eligible course, the required sponsor notification and an in-UK application before your Student permission expires.
Can I apply for a UK Graduate visa from India?
No. You must be in the UK when you apply. You also need to apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) permission expires and after your education provider has notified the Home Office of your successful course completion.
How long does a UK Graduate visa decision take?
GOV.UK states that applicants usually receive a decision within eight weeks after applying online, proving their identity and providing the required documents. Some applications may take longer, for example if further checks or information are needed. You can generally remain in the UK while waiting if you have applied in time and meet the relevant conditions.
How much does a UK Graduate visa cost?
The published application fee is £937, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. The surcharge is usually £1,035 per year, with the total depending on the length of the visa. GOV.UK lists IHS amounts of £1,152.50 for 18 months, £2,070 for two years and £3,105 for three years. Check the official cost page when applying.
Can I do a second master’s on a UK Graduate visa?
You can study on a Graduate visa only if the course is not eligible for a Student visa, subject to the route’s study conditions and any applicable ATAS requirement. If the course is eligible for a Student visa, you may need to apply for or extend Student permission instead.
Is the UK Graduate visa the same as a Skilled Worker visa?
No. The Graduate visa is an unsponsored route that allows eligible graduates to work in most jobs without an employer sponsoring the visa. The Skilled Worker route has separate requirements, including an eligible job with an approved sponsor and applicable salary and occupation criteria. A Graduate visa does not automatically convert into a Skilled Worker visa.
How long is the UK Graduate visa after 2027?
For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the standard Graduate visa lasts 18 months. For applications made on or before 31 December 2026, it lasts two years. Applicants with a PhD or other doctoral qualification can receive three years.
Can I extend my UK Graduate visa?
No. The Graduate visa cannot be extended. However, if you qualify, you may be able to switch to another immigration route before your Graduate permission expires. Check the requirements and timing for the alternative route well in advance.
Can my dependants stay in the UK after I receive a Graduate visa?
Some dependants may qualify, particularly those who already hold or last held qualifying dependant permission as the Student’s dependants, and certain children born in the UK under the rules. Eligibility is not automatic for every spouse or child. Review the current Graduate dependant rules and your family’s immigration history before applying.
The Bottom Line
- Takeaway 1: A UK Graduate visa requires an eligible qualification, a qualifying higher education provider with a track record of compliance, successful course completion and a Home Office notification from the sponsor.
- Takeaway 2: You must apply online from inside the UK after your provider reports completion and before your Student permission expires.
- Takeaway 3: The Graduate route is unsponsored and allows most work, but it cannot be extended and does not lead directly to settlement.
- Takeaway 4: The standard duration changes to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027; doctoral graduates can receive three years.
- Takeaway 5: Verify the final award, sponsor status, UK study period, fees and family eligibility before making course or relocation decisions.
Global Edge can help students review course choices, sponsor status and study-abroad planning in Green Park, New Delhi. Universities report successful course completion to the Home Office, and UKVI makes the immigration decision under the applicable rules.
Interested to Study Abroad?
Book a free counselling / SPEC9 profile evaluation with Global Edge — study abroad consultants in Delhi. Our team has counselled 57,000+ students across 21+ countries and assists with university shortlisting, applications, SOP & LOR, scholarships, education loans, visa file preparation, and pre-departure briefing.
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Will my UK course qualify me for a UK Graduate visa?
It may qualify if the award, sponsor, successful completion and UK study-period requirements meet the current Immigration Rules.
You are on track when:
- Your last Student sponsor is a qualifying higher education provider with a track record of compliance.
- Your final award is a UK bachelor’s, postgraduate degree or listed relevant qualification.
- You meet the required UK study period and your provider will report successful completion.
- You plan to apply from inside the UK before your Student permission expires.
- You have budgeted for the application fee and healthcare surcharge.
Check your plan carefully when:
- Your offer is for a pathway or diploma and you have not confirmed the final eligible award.
- You plan to leave the UK before applying for the Graduate visa.
- You have previously held Graduate permission or Doctorate Extension Scheme permission.
- Your plan assumes every family member can automatically join as a Graduate dependant.
- You are relying on a two-year Graduate visa for an application made on or after 1 January 2027.