The Graduate Route visa lets you stay and work in the UK after completing your degree — with no job offer required, no sponsor needed, and no restriction on the type of work. Here is everything you need to know, including the changes coming in 2027.
Important change: Graduate Route reduced to 18 months from January 2027
Students completing degrees and applying for the Graduate Route from January 2027 onwards will receive 18 months instead of the current 24 months (Bachelor's and Master's). PhD graduates retain 3 years. If you plan to apply, doing so before January 2027 secures the full 2-year leave.
Duration
2 years
(3 yrs for PhD)
Visa fee
£937
+ IHS surcharge
Work limit
None
Any job, any hours
The Graduate Route (formerly called the Post-Study Work visa) is a UK immigration route that allows international students who have successfully completed a degree at a UK university to remain in the UK and work — or look for work — for 2 years after graduation (3 years for doctoral graduates).
It is one of the most straightforward UK visa routes: there is no minimum salary requirement, no sponsoring employer needed, and no restriction on the sector or level of job you can do.
You are eligible if you meet all of the following conditions:
Foundation year students and pre-sessional English language course students are not eligible — the qualification must be a full undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
The Graduate Route gives you full work flexibility — something the Student visa does not:
The reality most guides don't tell you
The Graduate Route gives you the right to work — but it does not give you a sponsorship. Home Office data shows that only 110,000–120,000 businesses out of 1.4 million UK employers hold an active sponsor licence — meaning 92% of companies cannot legally sponsor you when your Graduate Route expires. While you are on the Graduate Route you do not need sponsorship, so you have full access to the job market.
However, once the Graduate Route expires, staying in the UK requires switching to the Skilled Worker visa — which does require sponsorship. Start your job search on day one, not month 20.
For PhD graduates (3-year Graduate Route): IHS is £1,035 × 3 = £3,105, making the total approximately £4,042. For the 18-month route (applications from January 2027): IHS is £1,552.50, total approximately £2,489.50. All amounts must be paid at the time of application, not on arrival. Source: gov.uk/graduate-visa (fees as of 8 April 2026).
The application is entirely online. Allow 1–2 hours and have your documents ready before starting.
Confirm your degree has been awarded
Create or sign in to your UKVI account
Complete the online application form
Pay the application fee and IHS
Verify your identity
Submit and wait for a decision
Most students apply immediately after receiving their results in June or July — typically around 6–8 weeks before their Student visa expires.
The Graduate Route cannot be extended. To remain in the UK beyond its expiry, you must switch to another visa route — most commonly:
Skilled Worker visa
The main route for employed graduates. Requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor paying at least the minimum salary threshold (£41,700 for most roles from July 2025, or £33,400 if you are under 26 or a recent graduate — whichever is higher than the going rate for your occupation). Your employer applies on your behalf.
Global Talent visa
For those recognised as leaders or emerging leaders in academia, research, arts, digital technology or science. Requires an endorsement from a recognised body. No job offer needed.
Scale-up Worker visa
For fast-growing companies. Similar to Skilled Worker but with more flexibility after 6 months of employment.
Leave the UK
If none of the above applies, you must leave before your Graduate Route expires. You can re-enter on another visa in the future.
Start your job search now
Find visa-sponsoring employers in the UK
RealityCheck UK filters jobs to show only employers on the Home Office Skilled Worker sponsor register. Apply early — before your Graduate Route runs out.
Browse sponsoring employers →Sending money home during your Graduate year
Stop losing money on transfers
Most UK banks charge 3–5% hidden fees on international transfers. Wise uses the real exchange rate with a transparent fee — you keep more of what you earn.
Try Wise — first transfer freeYes — the graduation ceremony is ceremonial, not the legal point at which your degree is awarded. You can apply as soon as your university registers your award with UKVI, which typically happens 2–6 weeks after your final results. Contact your university registry to confirm when this registration takes place.
Yes. Your spouse, civil partner, and dependent children can apply to join you (or remain in the UK if already here as your dependants on your Student visa). They apply on the Graduate Route Dependent visa. The same work restrictions apply: they can work without restriction.
No — time spent on the Graduate Route does not count towards the 5-year qualifying period for ILR. Only time spent on qualifying routes (such as Skilled Worker, Global Talent, etc.) counts. This is one of the most common misconceptions.
Yes — you can study while working. However, you cannot study on a course that requires a Student visa (i.e., courses at a licensed student sponsor institution lasting more than 11 months). Short courses, online courses and CPD programmes are fine.
If refused, you typically have the right to an administrative review. The refusal letter will explain the reason and your options. Common refusal reasons include applying before the degree is formally awarded, or the university not being on the UKVI sponsor register. Given the high stakes, re-read all eligibility criteria carefully before submitting.
Only if you are currently in the UK on a valid Student visa and your degree was from a qualifying UK institution. There is no separate Graduate Route for people who have already returned to their home country. If your Student visa has expired and you are outside the UK, the Graduate Route is no longer available to you.
How to Get a National Insurance Number as an International Student
Apply online in 20 minutes. You need this before you can start working on your Graduate visa.
How to Open a UK Bank Account as an International Student
Your employer needs a UK account to pay you. Open Monzo or Wise in 10 minutes with just your passport.
How to Send Money Home from the UK Without Losing a Fortune
Compare Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit — fees, rates, speed for every corridor.