Graduate Visa UK (Post-Study Work)

Graduate route: 2-year unsponsored work permission (3 for PhDs), CAS-completion reporting by your sponsor and switching into Skilled Worker before it expires.

Wesbridge Associates is an IAA-regulated UK immigration law firm. Our advisers support individuals, families and UK sponsors with skilled worker visas, sponsor licences, family routes, settlement (ILR), British citizenship, appeals and compliance — combining experienced legal advice with AI-powered self-service tools.

Reviewed by Wesbridge Associates' IAA-regulated immigration advisers. Last updated: July 2026.

The Graduate visa is an unsponsored post-study work route for international students who have successfully completed an eligible UK degree at a Student-sponsor institution with track-record status. It allows 2 years of unrestricted work (3 years for PhD holders), does not require a job offer or minimum salary, and is a common bridge to the Skilled Worker route. Wesbridge Associates advises graduates on the switch window, evidence pack and next-route planning.

Who qualifies

You must (a) currently hold a Student visa (or Tier 4) in the UK, (b) have successfully completed an eligible course — normally a UK bachelor's, master's, PhD or an eligible law/professional qualification — at a licensed Student sponsor with 'track record' status, (c) have your sponsor report course completion to the Home Office via SMS, and (d) apply from inside the UK before your current Student leave expires. There is no English test (already satisfied by your Student visa), no financial requirement, no sponsor, no job offer and no minimum salary.

What the visa allows

The Graduate visa is granted for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates), is unsponsored, permits full-time work at any skill level, self-employment, voluntary work and study of courses not otherwise available on the Student route. It does not permit work as a professional sportsperson. Time on the Graduate visa does not count towards Skilled Worker or ILR — it is a standalone bridge — so most applicants switch into Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder or Scale-up before the 2/3 years expire. Dependants can only be added if they were already your dependants on the Student route.

How it works with Wesbridge

Step 1 — timing check: your course must be reported as successfully completed by your sponsor (the SMS 'course completion' report) before you apply, and you must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires. Step 2 — fee and IHS: currently £880 application fee plus £1,035/year IHS for the full 2 or 3 years upfront (so £2,070 or £3,105). Step 3 — online application, biometrics via UKVCAS ID Check app or in-person, no interview in most cases. Step 4 — decision (standard 8 weeks; priority 5 working days where available). Step 5 — plan the onward switch: we advise on Skilled Worker CoS timing, salary thresholds, new-entrant discounts (available for up to 4 years and taper down after age 26), and how any time on Graduate cannot later be counted for ILR.

Common pitfalls

Applying before the sponsor has reported completion; applying after Student leave has expired (out-of-time applications are refused); relying on the route for settlement (it does not count towards ILR); missing the salary or SOC code rules when switching into Skilled Worker; and failing to pay the full IHS upfront (Graduate applications do not allow monthly IHS instalments). Distance-learning periods and unauthorised absences during the Student course can also break eligibility.

Frequently asked questions

Does time on the Graduate visa count towards ILR?

No. The Graduate visa is not a settlement route and its time is not counted towards Skilled Worker 5-year ILR or the 10-year long-residence route. You must switch into a qualifying route (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Scale-up, spouse/partner, etc.) to start accruing time towards ILR.

Can I apply from outside the UK?

No. The Graduate visa must be applied for from inside the UK while you still hold valid Student (or Tier 4) leave. If you leave before applying you lose the option.

Can I extend the Graduate visa?

No. The 2-year (3-year for PhD) grant cannot be extended. Your options at the end are to switch to another visa route with the correct sponsorship and eligibility, or to leave the UK.

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