Graduate (Post-Study Work) Visa — stay and work after your studies

Graduate Visa — work freedom, switching options, and a clean, on-time application

Stay in the UK for 2 years (or 3 years if you completed a PhD) to work, gain experience, or start a business. We confirm eligibility, time your application, and prepare a decision-ready file.

At-a-glance

Apply after uni reports completion In-country application only 2 years (3 years if PhD) No sponsor required IHS payable Work rights in most jobs

Stay in the UK after successfully completing an eligible UK degree under a Student/Tier 4 visa. Apply once your education provider has reported completion to the Home Office. This route offers flexible work rights but cannot be extended; plan an early switch (e.g., Skilled Worker).

Eligibility & route

  • Be in the UK with a valid Student/Tier 4 visa at application.
  • Provider has reported successful course completion to the Home Office.
  • Completed a UK Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD with required in-UK study.
  • Length: 2 years (or 3 years for PhD/Doctorate).
  • Dependants: only if previously your Student-route dependants.

Evidence & process

  • Passport/ID and BRP (if issued); Student sponsor/CAS details.
  • Provider must have notified completion (keep transcript/letter).
  • Apply online, pay fee + IHS, verify identity (app or UKVCAS).
  • Decision times: typically weeks; availability of priority can vary.
  • Work in most jobs; no public funds; no professional sportsperson.

We time filing against expiry, prepare clean evidence, and plan your switch (Skilled Worker/Scale-up).

Eligibility

  • Be in the UK with a valid Student/Tier 4 visa when applying.
  • Your education provider has reported successful course completion to the Home Office.
  • Completed an eligible UK Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD with required in-UK study.
  • No suitability issues (e.g., breaches) that would make the application invalid/refusable.

Work rights

  • Can: Work in most jobs, be self-employed, and change employers freely.
  • Can: Volunteer or travel without restriction.
  • Can’t: Access public funds or work as a professional sportsperson.
  • Duration: 2 years (3 years if PhD/Doctorate) — cannot extend.

Costs & documents

  • Home Office application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) per year.
  • Passport/ID, BRP (if issued), and Student sponsor details.
  • Evidence that your education provider has reported completion.

After your Graduate visa

  • Switch to Skilled Worker, Scale-up, or Global Talent.
  • Time counts toward 10-year long residence (not ILR directly).
  • We align job offer, salary, and timing to prepare your next route.

How we help

From eligibility checks to a decision — we prepare a clean, decision-ready application and a plan for your next route (e.g., Skilled Worker) so you don’t lose momentum.

1

Eligibility & timing

  • Confirm your course is eligible and completion has been reported.
  • Check Student/Tier 4 permission and application window.
  • Flag any risks and deadlines early.
2

Document set

  • Passport/ID, BRP (if issued), sponsor/CAS details.
  • Completion confirmation (plus transcript/letter for reference).
  • Dependants’ relationship evidence (if applicable).
3

Application & IHS

  • Complete online forms precisely for main applicant & dependants.
  • Pay fees and Immigration Health Surcharge securely.
  • Upload evidence in a clean, indexed structure.
4

Identity & biometrics

  • Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app where eligible, or UKVCAS appointment.
  • Guidance on photos, scans and attendance.
  • We monitor confirmations and follow up if needed.
5

Decision & status

  • Typical decisions in weeks; we track progress and respond to queries.
  • Post-decision checks (digital status/BRC where issued).
  • Employer right-to-work guidance on request.
6

Next-step strategy

  • Plan switch to Skilled Worker/Scale-up/Global Talent before expiry.
  • Salary/role alignment and sponsor readiness.
  • Long-residence timelines and travel planning.

Fees & processing

Below are typical Home Office fees and common processing timelines. We’ll confirm the latest figures and service availability during your consultation.

Application fee

  • Main applicant: £880
  • Each dependant: £880

Paid online at the point of application.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

  • Per year: £1,035
  • 2-year Graduate visa: £2,070 total
  • 3-year (PhD): £3,105 total

Charged per applicant, for each year of permission.

Processing time

  • Standard: typically within 8 weeks after ID checks.
  • Priority/Super Priority: availability can vary.

We’ll advise on current service options and realistic timelines.

What our service includes

  • Eligibility review and timing plan.
  • Document checklist, templates and upload formatting.
  • Accurate online forms and IHS payment guidance.
  • ID verification support (app/UKVCAS) and follow-up.
  • Switching strategy (e.g., Skilled Worker) and timelines.

FAQs

Answers to common questions about the Graduate (Post-Study Work) Visa route.

Does time on a Graduate visa count towards settlement (ILR)?

It doesn’t lead directly to ILR, but time can count towards the 10-year long residence route. Many applicants later switch to Skilled Worker, Scale-up, or Global Talent.

When can I apply — do I need my degree certificate?

You can apply once your provider has reported successful completion to the Home Office. You don’t have to wait for your ceremony or paper certificate.

Can I be self-employed or change jobs freely?

Yes. You can work at any skill level, be self-employed, volunteer, and change employers without sponsorship. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson and you cannot access public funds.

Are dependants allowed on the Graduate route?

Only if they were already your Student-route dependants (or last granted as such) and continue to meet the rules. Each dependant makes a separate application and pays the fee + IHS.

How long does a decision take?

Standard decisions are commonly within several weeks from identity checks. Priority availability can vary. We’ll confirm current timelines when preparing your application.

Can I travel while my application is pending?

Travelling after submitting biometrics/ID can risk treating the application as withdrawn. We usually advise not travelling until a decision, unless we confirm it’s safe for your case.

Documents checklist

We’ll tailor this list to your situation. Keep originals handy and provide clear scans (front/back where applicable).

Identity & immigration

  • Passport/Travel document (valid).
  • BRP (if issued) or digital status details.
  • Previous visas/immigration history (if relevant).

Education / completion

  • Provider must have reported completion to the Home Office.
  • Transcript/letter of completion (for reference when needed).
  • CAS/sponsor details from your Student/Tier 4 route.

Contact & residence

  • UK address and contact details.
  • Travel history/absences (if requested).
  • Police registration (if applicable/legacy).

Dependants (if applicable)

  • Partner: marriage/civil partnership certificate or durable relationship evidence.
  • Children: birth certificates and proof of responsibility/residence.
  • Proof they were your Student-route dependants most recently.

Application & fees

  • Payment cards for application fee + IHS.
  • Identity verification: UK Immigration ID Check app or UKVCAS.
  • Photo/scan quality meets guidance (we’ll validate).

Optional / case-specific

  • TB certificate (only if specifically requested).
  • Any legal name change documents.
  • Evidence for future switching planning (job offer/salary draft).

Common pitfalls & how we prevent them

We time filing carefully, align evidence, and avoid errors that cause refusals or invalid applications.

Completion not reported yet

  • Applying before the provider has reported completion can invalidate the application.
  • We prevent: confirm reporting on the record; obtain confirmation emails/portal notes.

Late filing / status gap

  • Missing the window after course completion or near Student visa expiry.
  • We prevent: track deadlines; set file-ready dates; escalate if results are delayed.

Ineligible study pattern

  • Remote/overseas study or insufficient in-UK study time causing ineligibility.
  • We prevent: audit course record; check permitted time abroad and qualifying periods.

Dependants not eligible

  • Partner/children trying to join when they weren’t Student-route dependants.
  • We prevent: verify last grants; evidence of relationship/continuous residence.

Travel during a pending application

  • Leaving the UK after ID checks can be treated as withdrawing the application.
  • We prevent: travel check; advise safe windows; contingency if urgent travel is required.

Future switch left too late

  • No plan for Skilled Worker/Scale-up/Global Talent before the Graduate visa expires.
  • We prevent: map job offer, salary and timing; align with sponsor/licence readiness.

Ready to stay and work in the UK after graduation?

We’ll confirm your eligibility, prepare your Graduate visa, and plan your switch to the next route — keeping your status secure and your career moving.