You must currently be in the UK on a valid Student visa (formerly known as the Tier 4 visa). Applications must be made from inside the UK, and your most recent visa must be the one issued for your studies. You cannot apply from overseas or while on a different type of visa.

You must have successfully completed a UK degree at the bachelor’s level or higher, or another eligible qualification, during your time on a Student or Tier 4 visa. This includes undergraduate, postgraduate (Master’s), or doctoral (PhD) degrees from a recognised UK higher education provider. Some courses like certain postgraduate diplomas may not qualify—so it’s important to check with your university if you’re unsure.

You must have studied in the UK for at least the required minimum period for your course. For example:

• Courses longer than 12 months: You must have spent at least 12 months studying in the UK.
• One-year Master’s courses: You must have been physically present in the UK for the full course duration.

Exceptions were made for some students affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions, but degrees completed mostly outside the UK are not generally eligible.

Your education provider must have officially notified the Home Office that you successfully completed your course. Most universities do this automatically after final results are issued. You don’t need your physical diploma or certificate at the time of application—as long as the Home Office has been informed, you can proceed.

Before applying, you must have successfully completed your degree. Your university or college must also notify the Home Office that you have officially finished your course. Most institutions do this automatically once final results are issued.

You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony or diploma. What matters is the university’s confirmation. You must apply before your current Student visa expires.

Before starting your application, prepare the following documents:

• Your valid passport or travel document
• Your original CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number from your student visa
• Proof of current immigration status (Biometric Residence Permit or digital status)
• Relationship documents for any dependants (if applicable)
• A consent letter from your sponsor (only if fully funded in the past 12 months)

There is no requirement to show financial funds or English language evidence for the Graduate visa.

Visit the UK Government’s Graduate visa application page and select “Start now.” You’ll need to sign in or create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The online form will ask for your personal details, passport number, CAS, and current visa status.

You can save your progress and return later. Double-check that all information exactly matches your official documents.

You’ll need to prove your identity using one of two methods, depending on your documents:

• Using the UK Immigration: ID Check app – Scan your passport or BRP and take a selfie using your phone.
• Booking a UKVCAS appointment – If the app isn't available to you, you’ll need to attend an appointment to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo).

Most students with a valid BRP can use the app. The system will guide you based on your details.

As of 2025, you must pay:

• Graduate visa application fee: £880
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year

This means most applicants will pay £2,950 in total for a 2-year visa. Payment is made online by debit or credit card.

Once your payment is complete, you can submit your application. You will receive a confirmation email from UKVI. Most applications are processed within 8 weeks. You must not travel outside the UK while your application is being processed.

You are allowed to stay in the UK legally during this period, even if your Student visa expires while you wait.

If your application is successful, you will receive your Graduate visa digitally as an eVisa. Some applicants may also receive a new Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

Your Graduate visa will start from the date of approval and be valid for 2 years (or 3 years if you completed a PhD). If your application is refused, you’ll receive instructions on what to do next, including possible review options.

The application fee for the Graduate visa is £880 per person. This is charged for each applicant, including any dependants. The fee increased in late 2024 (it was £715 in 2021 and £822 in early 2024).

Every dependant, such as a spouse or child, must pay this fee separately when applying.

The IHS is a mandatory charge that allows visa holders to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). As of 2025, the IHS is £1,035 per year of your visa.

• 2-year visa (Bachelor’s or Master’s): £2,070
• 3-year visa (PhD graduates): £3,105

The full IHS must be paid upfront for the entire visa duration.

For a single applicant with a 2-year visa, the combined cost is:

• £880 (application fee) + £2,070 (IHS) = £2,950

If a spouse applies with you, the total would double. For a family of three (main applicant + partner + one child), the total cost could exceed £9,000.

While most applicants only need to pay the visa and IHS fees, you may face other optional or case-specific costs, such as:

• Premium biometrics appointment slots (if you don’t choose a free time)
• Translation of documents if not in English
• Immigration advice or legal assistance (optional)

There is no requirement to show financial maintenance or bank statements for this visa, which helps reduce the paperwork burden.

You must pay the fees online during your application using a debit or credit card. Make sure your card has enough available balance or limit, especially if using a foreign bank card.

Let your bank know about the upcoming charge to avoid payment blocks or fraud alerts.

Visa application fees are usually non-refundable—even if the application is refused. However, if your visa is refused, the Immigration Health Surcharge is refundable since you won’t be using the NHS.

If you switch to a different visa (like Skilled Worker) before your Graduate visa expires, you may receive a partial refund of the unused IHS months automatically or by request.

The UK government typically reviews and updates visa fees once a year, often in April. Fee increases may be introduced with little notice, especially for the IHS, which saw a significant jump in 2024.

Always check the most up-to-date fees before submitting your application to avoid surprises.

While the cost may seem high, the Graduate visa offers the chance to work full-time in the UK without sponsorship—something many other visa routes don’t allow. For many international students, this is a valuable investment in their UK career journey.

To get the most from your visa, start preparing early for the job market. Strong English skills and communication can help you land better roles—consider joining an IELTS communication skills workshop to boost your employability.

Only those who were officially dependants on your Student visa can apply to stay with you on the Graduate visa. This includes:

• Your spouse or partner – Must have been listed on your Student visa. You must prove the relationship is ongoing and genuine, through a marriage certificate or cohabitation evidence (such as 2+ years of joint residence).
• Your children – They must have also been listed as dependants on your Student visa. This includes children born in the UK during your studies, even if they didn’t hold a visa before. Children over 18 can remain only if they already had dependant status and are still part of your household.

You cannot bring in new dependants on a Graduate visa. For example, if you marry after your studies and your spouse was not previously your dependant, they cannot join you under this route. The only exception is for children born in the UK during your Student visa period.

Each dependant must apply separately online using the official Graduate Dependant application form. They can apply at the same time as you or after, but must do so before their current visa expires.

They will need to provide:

• Proof of identity (e.g. passport)
• Proof of relationship to you (e.g. marriage or birth certificate)
• Evidence that they continue to meet eligibility (e.g. cohabitation for partners or education details for older children)
• Your application reference or visa number

All dependants must already be inside the UK to apply. Applications cannot be made from abroad. If your family was not in the UK under your Student visa, they cannot join you through the Graduate visa route.

Each dependant pays the same fees as the main applicant:

• Application fee: £880
• IHS (2-year visa): £2,070
• IHS (3-year visa): £3,105

A family of three (main applicant, partner, and one child) could expect total costs to exceed £9,000 including fees and IHS.

Dependants’ applications are usually processed at the same time or shortly after the main applicant. If successful, they will receive the same visa end date as you.

For example, if your Graduate visa runs from August 2025 to July 2027, your partner and child will have the same expiry date.

Spouses or partners can work in most jobs except as professional athletes or doctors/dentists in training. Children can attend school. However, dependants cannot access public funds and their visa cannot be extended beyond the main visa holder’s.

Maria was a Master’s student with her husband and young son as dependants. After graduating, she applied for a Graduate visa and her family applied as her dependants. Since they were already on her Student visa, they were approved and now have the same visa duration as her. If Maria had a new baby after switching to the Graduate visa, the baby would not automatically have visa status and a different route would need to be considered.

You can work full-time at any skill level—including graduate jobs, retail roles, hospitality, or temporary positions. There is no restriction based on salary or sector, and the job doesn’t have to relate to your degree.

Graduate visa holders are allowed to start their own business or work as freelancers or consultants. This includes online businesses, creative services, tutoring, or other self-employed work—so long as it's legal and tax-compliant.

This visa is unsponsored, which means you can switch jobs, employers, or industries without reporting to the Home Office. You can even work multiple jobs at once if you choose.

You do not need to have a job when applying for the Graduate visa. Once granted, you can spend time job hunting or taking a break before starting work, as long as you stay within the visa period.

You are permitted to engage in unpaid voluntary work with charities or non-profit organisations. This can be a great way to gain UK experience, network, and improve your CV while job searching.

If your partner and children were dependants on your Student visa, they can continue with you on the Graduate visa. They’ll have similar work and education rights. However, new dependants are not allowed unless born in the UK during your Student visa.

You are allowed to leave and re-enter the UK during the validity of your Graduate visa. Just make sure your travel does not interfere with any pending application or planned visa switch.

• You cannot claim public funds or welfare benefits.
• You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach.
• You cannot extend the Graduate visa once it expires.
• You cannot study a new course that would normally require a Student visa.
• You cannot add new dependants from abroad who weren’t on your Student visa.

This visa is not a settlement route, but it allows you to gain UK work experience and later switch to a longer-term visa like the Skilled Worker visa. Many graduates use this time to build their career and secure a sponsored role for the future.

If English proficiency is affecting your job search, consider improving your communication skills through professional or IELTS-focused training—this can boost your employability.

The Graduate visa is officially categorised as a non-settlement route. This means time spent on this visa does not count toward the 5-year ILR eligibility under work-based visas like the Skilled Worker visa. You must switch to a settlement route and start your ILR clock from there.

To qualify for ILR on a work route, you must switch to a Skilled Worker or similar visa and complete 5 continuous years on that route. Time spent on a Graduate visa won’t count towards this 5-year requirement—it’s seen as a temporary transition period.

There is one route where the Graduate visa counts—ILR via long residence. If you spend 10 years lawfully in the UK on a combination of visas (e.g. Student + Graduate + Skilled Worker), you may qualify under the Long Residence rule. All lawful time, including on Graduate visas, is counted.

When switching from a Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa, your 5-year ILR clock begins from the day your Skilled Worker visa is granted. Even if you switch after one year on Graduate visa, you'll still need to complete 5 years on the Skilled Worker route.

If you studied for 4 years, completed a 1-year Master’s, spent 2 years on a Graduate visa, and then got a 3-year Skilled Worker visa, you'd complete 10 years of lawful residence and could apply for ILR via long residence. But for Skilled Worker ILR, you'd still need 5 more years from the visa switch.

The UK government proposed in 2025 to increase the ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years for most routes. This isn’t law yet, but it may affect long-term plans. Always check for the latest updates before planning your immigration pathway.

Even if you complete the full 2 (or 3) years on a Graduate visa, you cannot apply for ILR based on that alone. You must switch into a qualifying visa like the Skilled Worker route or Family route to begin your settlement journey.

The Graduate visa is best seen as a stepping stone. It gives you time to find a job, build experience, and prepare for a long-term stay through another visa route. Many graduates use this time to improve their skills, especially English, to boost their employability.

Once you start your application, UKVI sends a registration email with a link tied to your specific session. You must use that email link to return to your application. If you don’t see it, check your spam/junk folder.

Lost the link? You can try the official GOV.UK “sign in to your visa application” page to retrieve it or contact support.

Some visa types (including those using the ID Check app) involve creating a full UKVI account. This is different from the simple emailed application link.

If you verified your identity digitally, you can also log into the View and Prove your immigration status portal using your UKVI login credentials.

• Use the correct email address you submitted in your application.
• Don’t wait too long—saved forms may expire after 10 weeks.
• If you started multiple applications, only one link will work at a time. Use the most recent.

Once your Graduate visa application is submitted, UKVI will send email updates. There is no live tracking system for in-country Graduate visa applications. If approved, you’ll be issued a digital visa or a new BRP, and receive a confirmation by email.

After your visa is granted, you can check or prove your immigration status via the official UKVI status service. Use this to:

• Get a share code to prove your right to work or rent in the UK.
• See your visa’s expiry date and conditions.

Visit: gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

If you're stuck or worried about your application login, reach out to the UKVI contact center (charges may apply). Alternatively, our blog offers guides on setting up UKVI accounts and avoiding common login issues.

International students may also find help through their university’s visa support team or our IELTS Training Camp guidance section.

The Graduate Route was launched in July 2021 to boost the UK's appeal to international students post-Brexit. It lets students remain and work after their studies without needing sponsorship. The goal was to retain skilled talent and compete with countries like Canada and Australia.

Since its launch, the route has seen tens of thousands of successful applicants, particularly from India, Nigeria, and China. Most applicants are approved, with a rejection rate under 1%. Many graduates later switch to long-term work visas or return home with valuable experience.

In May 2025, the UK government proposed reducing the Graduate visa duration from 2 years to 18 months for Bachelor’s and Master’s holders (possibly 2.5 years for PhDs). This hasn’t yet been implemented but may affect future applicants.

Although some media outlets speculated about a job offer requirement, the official 2025 proposals do not include this. The visa remains unsponsored—graduates do not need a job to apply, which continues to make it accessible and flexible.

The UK government is considering raising the ILR (settlement) timeline from 5 years to 10 years for many work visas. This may impact those switching from Graduate visa to Skilled Worker visa. Watch this space as these changes are still under review.

The Graduate Route is part of the UK’s International Education Strategy, targeting 600,000 international students annually. Education bodies and universities continue to support the route as a major incentive for studying in the UK.

Make the most of your time on this visa: seek out work experience, build your CV, and strengthen your English communication skills. Our IELTS Training Camp offers support with workplace English, presentation skills, and job interview prep.

The Graduate visa offers a launchpad into the UK workforce. It’s your chance to gain experience and build a future, whether in the UK or internationally. Keep up with updates—but for now, it remains a golden opportunity for UK graduates.

The Graduate Visa (Graduate Route) is a post-study work visa that allows international students who have completed a UK degree to stay and work for up to 2 years (3 years for PhD). It is unsponsored, so no job offer is required.

You must hold a valid Student or Tier 4 visa, have successfully completed a UK bachelor’s degree or higher, and your university must have reported your completion to the Home Office.

No. The Graduate visa is unsponsored and designed to give you time to find work or gain experience after graduation—no job offer is required at the time of application.

You apply online once your university confirms you passed your course, and before your current visa expires. You must be in the UK when applying.

The visa costs £880 plus £1,035 per year for the Immigration Health Surcharge. A 2-year visa typically costs £2,950 in total.

Yes, if they were already dependants on your Student visa. You cannot add new dependants except for babies born in the UK during your student visa.

You can work in any job, at any skill level. You can also be self-employed or freelance. You cannot claim public funds or work as a professional sportsperson.

No, it does not count toward the 5-year ILR clock, but it does count toward the 10-year Long Residence rule.

No. It’s a one-time, non-extendable visa. After it ends, you must switch to another route or leave the UK.

You are allowed to remain in the UK for the duration of the visa even if unemployed. But you must leave or switch visas before it expires.

A proposal exists to reduce it to 18 months, but as of now, the 2-year duration still applies. Watch for official updates.

Yes. You can switch at any point during the Graduate visa if you meet the Skilled Worker requirements. You cannot switch back to Graduate after that.

No. Your UK degree is assumed proof of English, so no IELTS or language test is needed for this application.

Use the unique link sent to your email by UKVI when you began your application. After approval, use the “View and Prove” service to check your visa status.

No. You must be physically in the UK to apply. If your visa expires and you’re abroad, you’ll no longer be eligible.

No. It’s a one-time route. Even if you do another degree, you cannot get a second Graduate visa.

No. You can apply once your university confirms completion. The ceremony date is not relevant.

No. It is considered lawful stay and is a common path to a Skilled Worker visa. It does not negatively impact future immigration prospects.