Have you completed your degree, and is your Student visa nearing its expiration date? The UK Graduate visa may allow you to remain in the UK to work or look for work after completing an eligible course. It is a separate visa application, not a renewal or extension of your Student visa, and you must apply from inside the UK before your current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires. Although the process may initially seem complicated, this guide provides the information you need to apply.
Whether you have already completed your course or are still planning for the future, this guide to getting a Graduate visa in the UK can help you understand the application process and prepare for the next stage of your career.
Steps on Applying for a UK Post-Graduation Work Visa
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a Graduate visa in the UK.
Step 1. Cross-Check Your Documents
Before starting your application, make sure you have the required documents. The standard documents include a valid passport or other travel document and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your Student visa application. You will also need to prove that you have valid immigration status by providing online proof of your eVisa status, such as a share code, or your biometric residence permit (BRP), where applicable.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need evidence of your relationship with any dependents applying with you, certified translations of documents that are not in English or Welsh, or a letter from your scholarship or sponsorship provider. The sponsor’s letter is required if a government or international scholarship agency paid both your course fees and living costs during the 12 months before you apply.
A bank statement and separate English-language test results are not part of the standard document requirements for the Graduate visa. Your education provider must notify the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. Check the current document requirements on the UK government website before applying.
Step 2. Fill out the Application Form
You must apply online through the UK government’s Graduate visa application service. 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 degree certificate. However, you must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
The application must be submitted while you are in the UK. After applying, you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man before receiving a decision, as doing so will cause your application to be withdrawn.
Step 3. Pay the Fee
The Graduate visa application fee is £937. You must also pay the immigration health surcharge, which is usually £1,035 for each year covered by the visa.
- The health surcharge for an 18-month Graduate visa is £1,152.50.
- The health surcharge for a two-year Graduate visa is £2,070.
- The health surcharge for a three-year Graduate visa is £3,105.
The application fee is charged in addition to the health surcharge. Check the current Graduate visa fees before submitting your application, as immigration fees may change.
Step 4. Biometric Appointment
As part of the application, you must prove your identity. Depending on your nationality and the type of passport or residence document you have, you will either use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your identity document or attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment to provide your fingerprints and photograph. You will be told which method to use when you apply, so not every applicant must attend an in-person biometric appointment.
Step 5. Wait for the Decision
Once you have applied online, proved your identity, and provided the required documents, you will usually receive a decision within eight weeks. You may remain in the UK while waiting for the decision, but you should not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.
Your application may take longer if your supporting documents need to be verified or because of your personal circumstances. If your application is successful, you will receive an email or letter explaining the decision and how to access your eVisa.
FAQs: Post-Graduation Work Visa for the UK
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Visa in the UK?
The main requirements for applying for a Graduate visa in the UK are as follows:
- You must be in the UK when you apply.
- Your current visa must be a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
- You must have successfully completed a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or another eligible qualification while holding your Student visa.
- Your education provider must be a licensed Student sponsor with a track record of compliance.
- Your education provider must have notified the Home Office that you successfully completed your course.
- You must meet the relevant UK study requirement. Generally, you must have studied in the UK for at least 12 months if your course was longer than 12 months, or for the full duration of the course if it lasted 12 months or less.
- You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
The Graduate visa does not have a separate maintenance-funds requirement or a separate English-language test requirement. You therefore do not need a particular IELTS or TOEFL score solely for a Graduate visa application. Further details about eligible qualifications and study periods are available on the Graduate visa course requirements page.
What Are the Requirements to Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Visa in the UK?
Once you have checked your eligibility, prepare the following documents and information:
- A valid passport or another travel document confirming your identity and nationality.
- Online proof of your immigration status if you have an eVisa, such as a share code, or your biometric residence permit where applicable.
- The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number you received when you applied for your Student visa.
- A letter approving your application from your government or international scholarship provider if it paid both your course fees and living costs during the 12 months before your application.
- Proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they are applying with you.
- Certified translations of any required documents that are not in English or Welsh.
What is the Process for Extending a Post-Graduation Work Visa in the UK?
You cannot extend a Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to another immigration route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you meet its requirements.
- You must apply online before your current visa expires.
- You must have a confirmed job offer for an eligible position from a UK employer approved by the Home Office.
- Your employer must issue you a certificate of sponsorship.
- You must meet the Skilled Worker English-language requirement.
- Your salary must meet the applicable threshold and the going rate for your occupation.
The usual Skilled Worker salary requirement is at least £41,700 per year or the standard going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. Different thresholds apply to certain applicants and occupations. For example, some recent graduates may qualify under the lower-salary rules if they are paid at least £33,400 and the required percentage of the occupation’s going rate. Always check the current job and salary requirements.
The main documents required for a Skilled Worker visa include:
- Your certificate of sponsorship reference number.
- Proof that you meet the English-language requirement.
- A valid passport or other identity and nationality document.
- Your job title, annual salary, and occupation code.
- Your employer’s name and sponsor license number.
When switching from inside the UK, the standard Skilled Worker application fee is £943 for a visa lasting up to three years or £1,865 for a visa lasting more than three years. Lower fees of £628 and £1,235 apply when the job is on the immigration salary list. You will usually also pay the immigration health surcharge of £1,035 for each year of your stay.
You will prove your identity either by using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by attending an appointment to provide your fingerprints and photograph. If you have been in the UK with valid immigration permission for less than 12 months, you may also need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself, unless your employer certifies your maintenance.
When switching to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK, you will usually receive a decision within eight weeks. Processing may take longer if your supporting documents need to be verified, you need to attend an interview, or your personal circumstances require further checks.
How Can You Find a Job in the UK as an International Student?
Finding a job in the UK as an international student or recent graduate can be challenging, but several resources are available. One effective starting point is your university’s career services department, which may provide job listings, application support, career fairs, and connections with potential employers. Online job boards such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor can also help you identify suitable opportunities.
You can also use the government’s Find a job service to search for full-time and part-time positions. Demand varies by occupation, location, and economic conditions. If you need employer sponsorship, check whether the position is eligible for the Skilled Worker route and whether the employer is an approved sponsor.
Because the UK job market can be competitive, tailor your resume and cover letter to each position. Highlight the qualifications, experience, and transferable skills that are most relevant to the employer’s requirements.
The Graduate visa can provide valuable time to gain work experience and explore the UK job market after completing an eligible course. It lasts for two years if you apply on or before December 31, 2026. For most non-doctoral applicants who apply on or after January 1, 2027, it will last for 18 months. Applicants with a Ph.D. or another doctoral qualification continue to receive three years.
The Graduate visa cannot be extended and is not itself a route to permanent settlement. However, you may be able to switch to another visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you meet the relevant requirements. Review the latest Graduate visa guidance before applying because immigration rules and fees may change.
We hope this article on how to get a post-graduation work visa in the UK was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Study in the UK and Programs in Europe for International Students!
