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Study visa

Graduate Visa

Post-study work — now 18 months (from May 2025 reform).

Sourced from GOV.UK · Updated April 2026
The short answer

For international students who have completed an eligible UK degree. Duration reduced from 2 years to 18 months (3 years remains for PhDs) as part of the May 2025 Immigration White Paper reforms.

£937Application fee from
£1,035IHS per year
N/A — apply inside UK onlyDecision (outside UK)
2 years if apply by 31 Dec 2026Initial leave

Who can apply

  • Currently holding a Student (or legacy Tier 4) visa in the UK
  • Successfully completed a bachelor's, master's or PhD at a track-record HEP sponsor
  • Your sponsor has reported course completion to the Home Office
  • Apply before your Student visa expires

How to apply

  1. Complete your coursePass your qualification and have it confirmed by your institution.
  2. Apply from inside the UKSubmit the application on GOV.UK before your Student visa expires.
  3. Pay fee + IHS upfrontOne-off fee covering the full 18 months (or 3 years for PhD).
  4. Receive decisionTypically within 8 weeks. No sponsor or salary requirement.

Documents you’ll need

  • Passport or current BRP / eVisa link
  • CAS reference number used for your Student visa
  • Confirmation your sponsor has reported completion

Good to know

Duration reduced from 2 years to 18 months from May 2025 (3 years retained for PhD).
Cannot be extended — switch to Skilled Worker before expiry to remain longer.
No minimum salary; any work (including self-employment) is permitted.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

  • Bachelor's and Master's graduates get 18 months. PhD and other doctoral qualifications get 3 years. The duration cannot be extended — you must switch to another route or leave the UK before it ends.

  • No. You apply on the basis of having successfully completed an eligible UK course. You can work in any job, at any salary, for any employer once on the visa. No sponsorship needed.

  • No. Years on the Graduate visa do not count towards the 5 years needed for Indefinite Leave to Remain. You must switch to a qualifying route (Skilled Worker, Health and Care, etc.) and start the 5-year clock from there.

  • Application fee: £880. IHS: £1,035/year × visa duration. So 18-month visa = £880 + £2,070 IHS = £2,950 total. PhD graduates pay £880 + £3,105 IHS = £3,985 for 3 years.

  • Only if they were already on your Student visa as dependants. New dependants cannot be added at the Graduate visa stage. This catches out students who married during their UK studies.

Source: GOV.UK — Graduate Visa · Last verified April 2026

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Verified against gov.uk · April 2026·Editorial policy
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