Graduate Route & Post-Study Work
How international students can stay in the UK to work after graduating — what the Graduate Route is, how long it lasts, the 2027 change, and what you can switch to afterwards.
Indicative guidance — verify on gov.uk. Immigration rules and fees change. The official gov.uk Graduate visa pages and UKCISA are the authoritative source; always confirm the current rules before you rely on them. (Last checked 3 June 2026.)
What is the Graduate Route?
The Graduate Route lets international students stay in the UK to work or look for work after they finish an eligible course. Its defining features:
- Unsponsored — you do not need a job offer or a sponsor, and no Certificate of Sponsorship is required.
- You can work at almost any skill level, including self-employment, while on the route.
- You apply from inside the UK, before your Student visa expires.
Official: gov.uk/graduate-visa
How long does it last?
Bachelor's or master's
2 years
Reduces to 18 months for applications on/after 1 Jan 2027 (see below).
PhD / doctorate
3 years
Unaffected by the 2027 change.
The 1 January 2027 change — who is affected
For Graduate visa applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the grant is reduced from 2 years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates. PhD and doctoral graduates are unaffected and keep 3 years. This was confirmed via the 14 October 2025 Statement of Changes and takes effect for applications from 1 January 2027.
Apply BEFORE 1 Jan 2027
Bachelor's/master's: 2 years · PhD: 3 years
Apply ON/AFTER 1 Jan 2027
Bachelor's/master's: 18 months · PhD: 3 years
It's the application date that matters, not your course dates. Because the cut is tied to when you apply for the Graduate visa, students finishing 12+ month courses (bachelor's, most master's) whose applications fall on or after 1 January 2027 are likely to get the shorter 18-month grant.
This is general information, not immigration advice. Timing can be complex and individual circumstances differ — check your specific situation with UKCISA or an OISC-registered adviser before making decisions.
Sources: UKCISA — changes to the Student and Graduate rules · gov.uk/graduate-visa
Eligibility & how to apply
- You must be in the UK on a Student (or Tier 4) visa when you apply.
- You must have successfully completed the eligible course you were sponsored to study, and your university must have reported your completion to the Home Office.
- You must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires — you cannot apply after it has ended.
Official: gov.uk — the course you studied · documents you'll need
What it costs
Application fee
£937
Indicative — verify on gov.uk
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
~£1,035 / year
Paid upfront for the whole period · indicative — verify on gov.uk
Your total depends on the length of the grant, so we don't quote a single figure here — use the official calculators for an exact amount.
Official: gov.uk — Graduate visa cost · IHS calculator
Dependants
You cannot add new dependants on the Graduate Route. A partner or child can apply to stay only if they were already your dependant on your Student visa. If you want to bring family who weren't previously your dependants, you'd need a different route.
Official: gov.uk/graduate-visa
After the Graduate Route: what you can switch to
The Graduate Route is not extendable and does not count towards settlement. To stay longer you switch to another route before your Graduate permission ends. The main option is:
Skilled Worker visa
If you find an eligible job with a licensed sponsor you can switch to the Skilled Worker route, which does count towards settlement. From 8 January 2026 the Skilled Worker English requirement rose from B1 to B2 (applies to new applications, including switching into the route).
Official: gov.uk — switch to Skilled Worker · English requirement · see our English requirements guide
Other routes some graduates research (check gov.uk for current eligibility): High Potential Individual and Innovator Founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the UK Graduate Route?
Currently 2 years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates, and 3 years for those who completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification.
Is the Graduate Route changing in 2027?
Yes. For Graduate visa applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the grant is reduced from 2 years to 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s graduates. PhD and doctoral graduates are unaffected and keep 3 years. This was confirmed in the Statement of Changes laid before Parliament on 14 October 2025.
Who is affected by the 2027 Graduate Route change?
It is based on your application date, not your course dates. If you apply for the Graduate visa before 1 January 2027 you can still be granted 2 years; if you apply on or after 1 January 2027 you get 18 months (PhD graduates keep 3 years either way).
Do I need a job offer for the Graduate Route?
No. The Graduate Route is unsponsored — you do not need a job offer or a sponsor, and you can work at almost any skill level, including self-employment, while you are on it.
Can I bring dependants on the Graduate Route?
You cannot add new dependants on the Graduate Route. A partner or child can only stay if they were already your dependant on your Student visa.
Can I extend the Graduate Route?
No. The Graduate Route is not extendable and does not count towards settlement. To stay longer you switch to another route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, before your Graduate permission ends.
Related guides
This page is general guidance for international students and is not immigration advice, nor is it affiliated with UKVI. Immigration rules and fees change — always confirm on the official gov.uk and UKCISA pages linked above, or with an OISC-registered adviser. (Last checked 3 June 2026.)