The Graduate Route visa is one of the most valuable immigration pathways available to international students in the UK. Introduced in 2021, it allows you to remain in the UK for two years after completing an eligible course (three years if you completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification), working or looking for work without any restriction on the type of job or number of hours.
Who Is Eligible?
To apply for the Graduate Route visa, you must: have successfully completed an eligible course at a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance; have held a valid Student visa (or Tier 4 visa) at the time of completion; be in the UK when you apply; and apply before your current visa expires.
The course must be at degree level or above (Level 6 or higher on the Regulated Qualifications Framework). Foundation years, HNDs, and pre-sessional English courses do not qualify on their own — but if you subsequently complete a degree at the same or a different institution, that degree qualifies.
What Can You Do on the Graduate Route?
Unlike the Student visa, the Graduate Route has no restriction on the type of work you can do or the number of hours you can work. You can take up full-time employment, switch jobs freely, be self-employed, or set up a business. The only restriction is that you cannot extend the Graduate Route — it is a fixed-term permission, and you must switch to another route (such as the Skilled Worker visa) if you wish to stay longer.
How to Apply
You must apply online through the UKVI portal. The application fee is £822 as of 2026. You will need your passport, your current BRP, your university completion letter or transcript confirming that you have completed your course, and your UKVI online account details.
Apply before your Student visa expires — typically around the time of your graduation ceremony or shortly after results are released. Most universities communicate this timeline clearly to final-year students.
Planning Your Next Step
The Graduate Route is not a long-term solution — it is a runway. Use the two years wisely: gain work experience, build your professional network in the UK, and identify an employer who may be willing to sponsor you for a Skilled Worker visa when the time comes.
UK employers with Skilled Worker sponsor licences can hire Graduate Route visa holders without needing to carry out a Resident Labour Market Test. Many graduates use the Graduate Route to transition into full-time sponsored roles in technology, finance, healthcare, and engineering.
