Graduate Route Visa: Complete Guide 2026
What you need to know
- •The Graduate Route gives you 2 years of unsponsored work permission (3 years for PhD graduates).
- •You must have completed a qualifying degree at a UK institution with a track record of compliance.
- •The visa costs £822 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year.
- •Time on the Graduate Route does NOT count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- •You can switch to a Skilled Worker visa at any point during the Graduate Route.
The Graduate Route is one of the most popular post-study visas in the world. It gives international graduates a 2-year (or 3-year for PhD holders) unsponsored work visa in the UK. You do not need a job offer. You can work in any role, at any level, for any employer. This guide explains exactly how it works in 2026.
Preparing a UK visa application?
Get a personalised document checklist and eligibility check — free.
What Is the Graduate Route?
The Graduate Route is a UK immigration route introduced in July 2021. It replaced the old post-study work visa (Tier 1 PSW) that was removed in 2012. The route allows international students who complete a qualifying UK degree to stay and work in the UK without needing a sponsor.
If you hold a bachelor's or master's degree, you get 2 years. If you hold a PhD or other doctoral qualification, you get 3 years. During this time, you can work in any job, start a business, or do freelance work. There is no minimum salary requirement and no skill level restriction.
The Graduate Route is a one-time visa. You cannot extend it or apply for it again. Once it expires, you must either leave the UK or switch to another visa route, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Graduate Route Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Graduate Route, you must meet all of the following conditions. For a detailed breakdown of each requirement, see our Graduate Route requirements guide.
You Must Hold a Valid Student Visa
You must be in the UK on a Student visa (or Tier 4 student visa) at the time you apply. You cannot apply from outside the UK. Your Student visa must still be valid or must not have expired more than the allowed period before your results were confirmed.
You Must Have Completed a Qualifying UK Degree
Your course must be at degree level or above (RQF level 6 or above in England and Wales, or the equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland). This includes bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, PGCEs, PhDs, and some other postgraduate qualifications.
The degree must have been studied at a higher education provider with a "track record of compliance" with immigration rules. Most UK universities have this status. Your university will confirm your eligibility by reporting your course completion to the Home Office.
Your University Must Confirm Your Course Completion
Your Student sponsor (your university) must notify UKVI that you have successfully completed your course. This is done through the Student sponsor system. You do not need to have physically received your degree certificate. The notification is enough.
You Must Meet the Study in the UK Requirement
You must have spent a minimum period studying in the UK. If your course lasted 12 months or longer, you must have spent at least 12 months in the UK. If your course was shorter than 12 months, you must have been in the UK for the full duration of the course.
There are limited exceptions for time spent outside the UK due to COVID-19 or approved distance learning arrangements. Check the GOV.UK Graduate Route page for details on exceptions.
How to Apply for the Graduate Route
The application process is straightforward. You apply online from inside the UK.
Step 1: Wait for Your University's Confirmation
Your university must report your successful course completion to UKVI. This usually happens automatically after your results are confirmed. Contact your university's international student support team if you are unsure about timing.
Step 2: Apply Online
Complete the online application on GOV.UK. You will need your passport, your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) number, and your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) reference number from your Student visa application.
Step 3: Provide Your Biometrics
If you have a biometric residence permit, you can reuse your existing biometric information. Otherwise, you may need to attend a biometric appointment. For more information on biometric enrolment, see our biometrics guide.
Step 4: Pay the Fees
You must pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge at the time of your application. See the costs section below for exact amounts.
Step 5: Wait for a Decision
Most Graduate Route applications are decided within 8 weeks. You can stay in the UK and continue working (if your Student visa allowed it) while you wait for a decision.
Graduate Route Costs in 2026
The Graduate Route involves two main costs. For a full breakdown of all UK visa fees, see our UK visa fees guide.
- Application fee: £822
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year. For a 2-year Graduate Route visa, this is £2,070. For a 3-year PhD Graduate Route visa, this is £3,105.
Total cost for a 2-year Graduate Route visa: approximately £2,892.
Total cost for a 3-year Graduate Route visa (PhD): approximately £3,927.
There are no additional sponsor fees or certificate of sponsorship costs because the Graduate Route does not require a sponsor.
What Can You Do on the Graduate Route?
The Graduate Route gives you broad work rights. For a detailed explanation of what you can and cannot do, see our Graduate Route work rights guide.
- Work in any job, at any skill level, for any employer
- Work full-time or part-time
- Work for multiple employers at the same time
- Be self-employed or freelance
- Start your own business
- Do voluntary work
The only significant restriction is that you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. This is the same restriction that applies to most UK work visas.
Graduate Route vs Skilled Worker Visa
Many graduates wonder whether they should use the Graduate Route or go straight to a Skilled Worker visa. The answer depends on your situation. We cover this comparison in full in our Graduate Route vs Skilled Worker guide.
Choose the Graduate Route if: you do not yet have a qualifying job offer, you want time to explore different career paths, or you want the flexibility to work in any role without sponsor restrictions.
Choose the Skilled Worker visa if: you already have a qualifying job offer from a licensed sponsor, you want time on your visa to count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or you want a route that can be extended indefinitely.
Many graduates use the Graduate Route first, then switch to a Skilled Worker visa once they find a suitable sponsored role.
Preparing a UK visa application?
Get a personalised document checklist and eligibility check — free.
Switching from the Graduate Route to Another Visa
You can switch from the Graduate Route to most other visa routes from inside the UK, including:
- Skilled Worker visa - the most common switch. See our switching guide.
- Innovator Founder visa - if you want to start a business.
- Family visa - if you have a qualifying UK-based partner.
- Global Talent visa - if you are recognised as a leader or emerging leader in your field.
You should plan your switch early. Do not wait until your Graduate Route visa is about to expire. Switching applications can take several weeks to process.
Does the Graduate Route Count Towards ILR?
No. Time spent on the Graduate Route does not count towards the 5-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
This is one of the most important things to understand about this route. If your long-term goal is to settle permanently in the UK, you need to switch to a qualifying route (such as the Skilled Worker visa) as soon as possible. Only then does the clock start ticking on your 5-year ILR qualifying period.
For example, if you spend 2 years on the Graduate Route and then switch to a Skilled Worker visa, you will still need 5 full years on the Skilled Worker visa before you can apply for ILR. Your 2 years on the Graduate Route do not reduce this requirement.
Bringing Dependants on the Graduate Route
The rules on Graduate Route dependants are restrictive. You can only include dependants who already had permission to stay in the UK as dependants on your Student visa.
You cannot add new dependants once you switch to the Graduate Route. If your partner or children were not already in the UK as your Student visa dependants, they cannot join you on the Graduate Route. They would need to apply for their own visa route (for example, a Skilled Worker dependant visa if you later switch to a Skilled Worker visa).
The Graduate Route Review: What It Means in 2026
The UK government asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the Graduate Route in 2024. The review examined whether the route was being used as intended and whether any changes were needed. For a detailed analysis, see our Graduate Route review 2026 guide.
The MAC recommended keeping the Graduate Route in its current form. As of March 2026, the route remains open with the same terms: 2 years for bachelor's and master's graduates, 3 years for PhD graduates.
However, immigration policy can change at any time. The government could introduce changes to the Graduate Route in the future, such as salary thresholds, skill level requirements, or limits on certain nationalities. Always check the official GOV.UK Graduate Route page for the latest information.
English Language Requirements
You do not need to take a separate English language test for the Graduate Route. Your English ability has already been assessed as part of your Student visa application. As long as you completed your degree in the UK, this requirement is automatically met.
If you later switch to a Skilled Worker visa or apply for ILR, you may need to prove your English level again. See our English language tests guide for details on which tests are accepted.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the most frequent errors we see with Graduate Route applications:
- Applying too late. You must apply before your Student visa expires. If your visa expires before you apply, you may lose your eligibility.
- Not checking your university's track record. Not all UK institutions qualify. Your university must have a track record of compliance.
- Assuming it counts towards ILR. It does not. Plan your long-term immigration strategy accordingly.
- Waiting too long to switch. If you want to move to a Skilled Worker visa, start looking for sponsored roles early in your Graduate Route period. Do not wait until the last few months.
- Not meeting the UK study requirement. If you spent too long studying outside the UK (for example, on a distance learning arrangement), you may not qualify.
Suggested Timeline for Graduate Route Applicants
Here is a recommended timeline to follow:
- 3 months before graduation: Check your eligibility. Confirm your university has a track record of compliance. Budget for the fees.
- On results day: Contact your university to ask when they will report your course completion to UKVI.
- As soon as completion is reported: Submit your online application. Pay the fees. Provide biometrics if needed.
- During the Graduate Route: Start looking for sponsored employment if you plan to stay long-term. Build your professional network. Consider your ILR timeline.
- 12 months before expiry: Have a clear plan for your next visa route. Begin the Skilled Worker visa process if you have a sponsor.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
Preparing a UK visa application?
Get a personalised document checklist and eligibility check — free.