Uk Visas Immigration
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A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK.
You must be in the UK when you apply.
Eligibility
You can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:
- youre in the UK
- your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- you studied a UK bachelors degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office youve successfully completed your course
You can ask your education provider if youre not sure whether theyve told the Home Office youve successfully completed your course.
Check if your course is eligible and how long you need to have studied in the UK.
If youre not eligible for a Graduate visa, you may be eligible for another type of visa to stay in the UK.
How long you can stay
A Graduate visa lasts for 2 years. If you have a PHD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
Check you can apply for another type of visa to stay in the UK.
How to apply
You must apply online.
Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
When to apply
You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office that youve successfully completed the course you took with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa. You do not have to wait until youve graduated or have been given a certificate.
As part of your application, youll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
Your application may take longer if you need an appointment to do this. Youll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once youve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, youll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.
You can stay in the UK while you wait for a decision.
How much it costs
When you apply for a Graduate visa, youll need to:
- pay the 822 application fee
- pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually 1,035 for each year youll be in the UK
If you work in public sector healthcare
If youre a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if youre eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. Its cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.
If you get a job in public sector healthcare after you have paid the healthcare surcharge, you may be able to get a refund.
What you can and cannot do
With a Graduate visa you can:
- work in most jobs
- look for work
- be self-employed
- continue living in the UK with your partner and children, if theyre eligible
- do voluntary work
- travel abroad and return to the UK
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- work as a professional sportsperson
If your application is successful, youll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Graduate visa.
Studying with a Graduate visa
You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa. If your course is eligible for a Student visa, you can extend your Student visa instead.
You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if youre studying or researching sensitive topics.