UK Graduate Route Visa Explained

What the Graduate Route is

The Graduate Route is a post-study immigration route operated by the UK government that lets eligible international students stay in the UK after they have successfully completed an eligible course at an approved higher-education provider. It is a way to remain in the country to work, look for work, or gain experience after graduating.

It is an unsponsored route, which means you do not need a job offer or an employer sponsor to apply for it. The full eligibility conditions, the current fee, and the period it grants are set by the Home Office and published on GOV.UK — verify them on the official source before you act. This is general information, not immigration advice.

Who is eligible

In broad terms, the Graduate Route is for people who are in the UK on a Student visa (or Tier 4) and have successfully completed an eligible course at a provider with a track record of compliance, who can be confirmed by their education provider to the Home Office. You normally must apply from inside the UK while your Student visa is still valid.

The precise list of eligible qualifications, the requirement that your provider report your successful completion, and any other conditions can change. Check the current criteria on GOV.UK and with your university's international student office.

• You hold (or recently held) a valid UK Student visa
• You have successfully completed an eligible course at an approved provider
• Your provider confirms your completion to the Home Office
• You apply from inside the UK — confirm the current rule on GOV.UK

How long it lasts

The Graduate Route grants a fixed period of permission to stay after your studies. It is commonly stated as two years for those who complete an undergraduate or master's degree, with a longer period for those who complete a relevant doctoral (PhD) qualification.

Because these durations are set by the Home Office and can be revised, treat the figures above as a general guide only and confirm the current period on GOV.UK before relying on it. The Graduate Route cannot normally be extended; many people move onto another route, such as the Skilled Worker route, if they meet its separate requirements.

What you can and cannot do on it

The Graduate Route is flexible: it generally allows you to work in most jobs, work at most skill levels, be self-employed, change jobs, and look for work, without needing a sponsor. It is designed to give graduates time to find a role and gain experience in the UK.

However, it does not lead directly to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) on its own, and there are some activities it does not permit — for example certain restrictions apply. Always read the current list of what the route allows and excludes on GOV.UK, because the conditions can change.

• Work in most jobs and at most skill levels
• Be self-employed or change employers freely
• Does not require a job offer or sponsor
• Does not by itself lead to settlement — confirm onward options on GOV.UK

Costs and applying

Applying for the Graduate Route involves an application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), both payable to the Home Office. The amounts are set by the government and are published on GOV.UK; do not rely on quoted figures elsewhere, as fees are updated periodically.

You apply online through the official GOV.UK service and will usually need to prove your identity and provide supporting details. Apply before your current Student visa expires. For exact fees, processing information, and the application link, use the official GOV.UK Graduate visa page and verify everything there.