Graduate Route Requirements UK
The Graduate route allows international graduates of UK universities to stay and work in the UK after completing their degree. This guide explains who is eligible, what courses qualify, and how to apply.
- Section
- Student & Graduate
- Reading time
- 9 min
- Last checked
- 22 March 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- You must have completed an eligible UK course on a Student visa, and be in the UK when you apply.
- 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027; 3 years for a PhD or other doctorate.
- Work in most jobs, including self-employment. No sponsor, no salary threshold.
- It cannot be extended.
The Graduate route is available to international students who complete an eligible UK course. It gives 2 years of work rights if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. A PhD or other doctorate gives 3 years. This guide covers the published requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Graduate route, you must meet all of the following requirements. Full details are on the GOV.UK Graduate visa page.
1. Valid Student Visa
You must currently hold a valid Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) student visa), and you must apply before it expires. You must also be in the UK when you apply.
2. Eligible Course
GOV.UK says you usually must have completed one of the following in the UK:
- A UK bachelor's degree
- A UK master's degree
- A UK PhD or doctorate
You can also apply if you completed one of these:
- A law conversion course approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- The Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland
- The Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland
- A Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- A Postgraduate Diploma in Education
You may also be able to apply if passing your course made you eligible for a job that is regulated by UK law or by a UK public authority. Your education provider can tell you whether your course counts.
3. Your Education Provider
GOV.UK says your education provider must be a licensed sponsor with a "track record of compliance". You can check this on the register of licensed student sponsors — the provider will have "Student Sponsor - Track Record" in the Status column.
4. Study in the UK
You must have studied in the UK for either:
- At least 12 months, if your course lasts more than 12 months
- The whole length of your course, if it lasts less than 12 months
Studying in the UK means you were in the UK when your education provider needed you to be there, for example for lectures or meetings with a tutor. Separate rules let you count study outside the UK between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2022 if you could not travel because of coronavirus.
5. Successful Completion
Your education provider must tell the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. You do not have to wait until you have graduated or been given a certificate. If you are not sure whether they have done this, ask them.
Duration
- Apply on or before 31 December 2026: 2 years
- Apply on or after 1 January 2027: 18 months
- PhD or other doctorate: 3 years
The shortening to 18 months was set out in the immigration white paper of 12 May 2025 and made law by the statement of changes HC 1333 of 14 October 2025.
Your visa starts on the day your application is approved. The Graduate route cannot be extended. Before it ends, you must switch to another visa or leave the UK.
How Long a Decision Takes
GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 8 weeks of applying online, proving your identity and providing your documents. You can stay in the UK while you wait.
Work Rights
See our Graduate route work rights guide. In summary, you have full, unrestricted work rights with no minimum salary or job type restriction.
Costs
- Application fee: £937, for you and for each family member
- Healthcare surcharge: usually £1,035 for each year you will be in the UK. GOV.UK lists £1,152.50 for 18 months, £2,070 for 2 years and £3,105 for 3 years
See the UK visa fees guide.
English Language
GOV.UK sets out no separate English language test for the Graduate visa. The requirement was met when you were granted the Student visa for the course you completed.
Dependants
See our Graduate route dependants guide. Dependant access has been restricted.
What You Cannot Do
- Claim most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension
- Work as a professional sportsperson
- Extend the Graduate visa
- Study a course that is eligible for a Student visa — if your course is eligible for one, you extend your Student visa instead
- Count this time toward settlement (see Graduate route and settlement)
Next Steps After the Graduate Route
- Switch to Skilled Worker
- Switch to another work visa
- Consider the Global Talent visa
The Graduate Route Review
The Migration Advisory Committee reviewed the Graduate route in 2024. See our Graduate route review guide for what the review said and what changed afterwards.
Next Steps
If you are about to complete your degree, apply for the Graduate route before your student visa expires. Apply through GOV.UK.
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Who is eligible for the Graduate route?
You must have completed an eligible UK degree (undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD) at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance. You must apply while your student visa is still valid.
How long does the Graduate route last?
GOV.UK says a Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. If you completed a PhD or other doctorate it lasts 3 years. It cannot be extended.
Can I work in any job on the Graduate route?
GOV.UK says you can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed and do voluntary work. There is no sponsor and no minimum salary. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, and you cannot claim most benefits or the State Pension.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.