Graduate visa
The Graduate visa lets someone who has completed an eligible UK degree or course on a Student visa stay in the UK to work or look for work. It does not need a job offer or a sponsor. It cannot be extended, but holders may be able to switch to another route such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Entry restrictions apply to 1 passports for United Kingdom
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
AfghanistanSource: GOV.UK - Visa brake: changes to the UK visa systemSource: UK Parliament - Written ministerial statement HCWS1379, 5 March 2026Source: GOV.UK - Explanatory memorandum to the Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules HC 1691, 5 March 2026
Life in United Kingdom
Money
3
Currency
British Pound
GBP
British Pound
Cost of living
92
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20% · social security 8%
Personal allowance GBP 12,570 (tapered away above GBP 100,000); 40% from GBP 50,271 and 45% above GBP 125,140. Scotland sets different bands and rates.
Living
1
Happiness
#27 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Members
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
International students in the UK on a Student (or Tier 4 General) visa whose education provider has reported that they successfully completed an eligible UK course.
Eligibility
Apply from inside the UK
You must be in the UK when you apply. You cannot apply from abroad.
Current Student visa
Your current permission must be a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa, and you must apply before it expires.
Eligible course
Your course must usually be a UK bachelor's, master's, PhD or other doctorate, though some professional courses also count.
- Counts: SRA-approved law conversion, LPC or Bar course
- Counts: PGCE or PGDE
Official wording
Usually a UK bachelor's, master's, PhD or other doctorate. Some professional courses also count, such as certain law courses (SRA-approved conversion, LPC, Bar course), PGCE or PGDE.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementMinimum UK study time
- Document checklistValid passport or travel document
- FeesGraduate visa application fee
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 5 more requirements
- 6 documents
- 4 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in United Kingdom
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to United Kingdom
- Visit & tourismStandard Visitor visa
- StudyStudent visa
- Skilled migrationGlobal Talent visa
- FamilyFamily visa: partner or spouse
- Asylum & protectionClaim asylum in the UK
- CitizenshipBritish citizenship by naturalisation
Work permits in other countries
- GrenadaGrenada Work Permit (Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, Cap. 115)
- GeorgiaGeorgia right to work (labour activity permit) with work residence permit or D1 visa – labour migration rules in force from 1 March 2026
- GuernseyGuernsey Employment Permit (immigration) with Population Management permit
- GhanaWork and Residence Permit
- GibraltarGibraltar work permit
- GreenlandResidence and work permit for Greenland
