The UK Post-Study Work Permit Visa Guide

Apply for this visa if you want to work in the UK after graduating. It lets you stay and gain valuable experience for up to 2 years (or 3 years if you completed a PhD).

This page explains your main option after studies: the Graduate visa (previously called the Post Study Work visa).

To apply, you must:

Currently holds a valid Student visa
have completed an eligible course at a UK bachelor's degree level or above
be physically in the UK when you apply
Apply before your current Student visa expires
have studied with a Home Office-approved higher education provider

This visa lets you:

Stay and work in the UK for 2 years (most graduates) or 3 years (PhD graduates)
work in any job, at any skill level, for any employer – no sponsorship needed
be self-employed, start a business, or do freelance work
Volunteer alongside your main work
Travel in and out of the UK freely during your visa period
Switch into a longer-term visa later, like the Skilled Worker route

Important update for 2026–2027:
If you apply for a Graduate visa on or after 1 January 2027, the duration will be reduced to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates. PhD graduates will still get 3 years.

Bringing Family If You Have a Graduate Visa

Category	Bachelor's or Master's Graduate	PhD Graduate
Visa Duration	2 years (18 months from Jan 2027)	3 years
Can you bring new dependents?	No – only dependants already in the UK on a Student visa can apply to extend	No – same rule applies
Can existing dependents stay?	Yes – if they held Student dependant visas, they can apply to extend alongside you	Yes
Work rights for dependants	Can work in any job, any sector, self-employment allowed	Same
Children's school access	State schools are free; university fees are at international rates unless they qualify otherwise	Same
Category	Bachelor's or Master's Graduate	PhD Graduate
Visa Duration	2 years (18 months from Jan 2027)	3 years
Can you bring new dependents?	No – only dependants already in the UK on a Student visa can apply to extend	No – same rule applies

Here's the Simple Way to Understand It

In the UK, your eligibility depends on what qualification you completed and when you apply.

The Graduate visa is an unsponsored route. That means you do not need a job offer. You do not need a sponsor. You do not need to meet a minimum salary. It is designed to give you breathing room after your degree to find work and build your career.

If you completed:

Bachelor's degree → 2 years (18 months if applying after 1 Jan 2027)
Master's degree → 2 years (18 months if applying after 1 Jan 2027)
PhD or other doctoral qualification → 3 years

Important: You can only get the Graduate visa once. You cannot extend it. You cannot apply for it again later.

Quick UK Qualification Levels (Easy View)

Level 6 → Bachelor's degree (ordinary or honours)
Level 7 → Master's degree (MA, MSc, MBA, etc.) / Postgraduate Certificate / Postgraduate Diploma
Level 8 → PhD / Doctorate

Why Your Qualification Level Matters for Work Visas

If you have a UK degree at Level 6 or above, you qualify for the Graduate visa. That gives you:

Freedom to work any job, any sector
Time to find an employer who might sponsor you later
Ability to switch into the Skilled Worker visa once you have a qualifying job offer

If you move into the Skilled Worker visa later, the rules change:

You need a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor
The role must be at RQF Level 3 or above (A-level equivalent) and meet minimum salary thresholds
Your job must pay at least £41,700 per year or the 'going rate' for that role, whichever is higher (there are lower rates for new entrants and some shortage roles)

What Work You Can Do on a Graduate Visa

Your work conditions are the same for all graduates:

Work for any employer (full-time or part-time)
Change jobs freely
Be self-employed or start a business
Do voluntary work
Study part-time (but not courses that would need a Student visa)

You cannot:

Apply for most public funds (benefits)
Work as a professional sportsperson or coach
Extend this visa – you must switch to another category when it expires

How Long Can You Stay

Qualification	Current Rules (2026)	From 1 January 2027
Bachelor's or Master's degree	2 years	18 months
PhD or doctoral qualification	3 years	3 years (unchanged)
Qualification	Current Rules (2026)	From 1 January 2027
Bachelor's or Master's degree	2 years	18 months
PhD or doctoral qualification	3 years	3 years (unchanged)
Qualification	Current Rules (2026)	From 1 January 2027
Bachelor's or Master's degree	2 years	18 months
PhD or doctoral qualification	3 years	3 years (unchanged)

Important note: The visa starts from the date it is approved, not from your graduation date. Apply as soon as your university confirms you have completed your course.

When to Apply

You must apply before your current Student visa expires. There is no grace period after expiry.

Your university will notify the Home Office when you have completed your course. You can apply as soon as that notification is sent. You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony.

Processing time is usually within 8 weeks.

Health Requirements

You will pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application. For 2026, this is £1,035 per year.

For a 2-year Graduate visa: £2,070 total IHS
For a 3-year PhD visa: £3,105 total IHS

This gives you access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) for the full duration of your visa.

You may also need a tuberculosis (TB) test if you are from a country where TB is common. Check the UK government website for the current list.

Character Requirements

You must declare any criminal convictions. The Home Office checks your immigration history and may refuse the visa if:

You have breached immigration conditions in the past
You have a criminal conviction above certain thresholds
You have used deception in a previous application

Police certificates are not usually required for the Graduate visa application itself, but they may be requested if you have a complex history.

Have Enough Money to Live On

You do not need to show maintenance funds when applying for the Graduate visa. This is different from the Student visa. The Home Office assumes you have supported yourself during your studies and can continue to do so.

However, you should still have enough savings to cover your living costs while you look for work. The official recommendation is to budget at least £1,200–£1,500 per month outside London, and more inside London.

Documents You Need When Applying

When you apply online, you will need:

a valid passport
your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you have one
Your university has already confirmed your course completion to the Home Office (you do not need to upload your degree certificate, but keep it ready)

You may also need:

proof of your previous Student visa
a valid TB test certificate if you are from a listed country and have been outside the UK for more than 6 months

Application fee (2026): £822

Bringing Your Partner and Children

This part changed in 2025 and still catches people out.

If you currently have dependents (partner or children) on a Student visa, they can apply to extend their visas alongside your Graduate visa application. They must apply at the same time as you.

If your partner and children are not already in the UK as your dependents, you cannot bring them on a Graduate visa. They cannot apply from overseas to join you now.

Once you switch to a Skilled Worker visa later, the rules change again:

Only workers in RQF Level 6 roles or above can bring new dependents (for Certificates of Sponsorship issued on or after 22 July 2025)
Care workers and senior care workers cannot bring dependents under the new rules.
If you were already in the Skilled Worker route before July 2025, transitional protections may apply.

Financial requirement for Skilled Worker dependants (if applicable later):

Partner: £285
First child: £315
Each additional child: £200
Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days.

After the Graduate Visa – Your Next Steps

The Graduate visa is temporary. Use the time to:

Gain UK work experience
Find an employer willing to sponsor you
Switch to a longer-term visa before your Graduate visa expires

Most graduates move to the Skilled Worker visa. Requirements:

Job offer from a licensed sponsor
Role at an appropriate skill level
Salary meeting the minimum threshold

Other options:

Innovator Founder visa – if you start your own business.
Global Talent visa – if you are a leader in academia, arts, or digital technology.
Health and Care Worker visa – if you work in an eligible health role.

Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

The government is consulting on changes to settlement rules. Under the proposed earned settlement model (expected April 2026 onwards):

The qualifying period for settlement may increase from 5 years to 10 years for most sponsored work routes.
A points-based system will consider factors like salary, skill level, and contribution to society.
Existing visa holders may have transitional protections – this is still being confirmed.

If you are already close to the 5-year mark, consider applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain before April 2026 if eligible. Get a free consultation

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