Graduate Route Visa 2026
Stay and work (or look for work) in the UK for up to 2 years after completing a UK degree (3 years for PhD). No minimum salary required.
Application fee
£822
NHS surcharge
£776/year
Processing time
8 weeks
Who is eligible?
- Completed a UK bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree at a licensed student sponsor
- Were on a Student visa (or Tier 4 visa) when you completed the degree
- Apply from inside the UK (cannot apply from abroad)
- Must apply before your Student visa expires
How to apply — step by step
- 1Wait until your degree has been formally conferred (you have received official confirmation from your university — not just your results)
- 2Apply online at gov.uk/graduate-visa before your Student visa expires
- 3Pay the £822 application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776/year)
- 4There is no sponsor required and no minimum salary — you can work in any job or look for work
- 5Processing takes up to 8 weeks — do not travel outside the UK while your application is pending
Key requirements at a glance
- UK degree (bachelor's, master's or PhD)
- Studying on Student Visa
- No minimum salary
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Graduate Route visa last?▾
2 years for bachelor's and master's graduates, 3 years for PhD graduates. It cannot be extended — you must switch to another visa (such as Skilled Worker) before it expires if you want to stay in the UK.
Do Graduate Route years count towards ILR?▾
Yes. Time spent on the Graduate Route visa counts towards the 5-year continuous residence required for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — as long as you subsequently switch to a qualifying visa like Skilled Worker.
Can I do any job on the Graduate Route visa?▾
Yes — any job at any salary level, including self-employment. There is no minimum salary requirement and no sponsor needed. This makes it ideal for exploring options, freelancing, or working while job hunting.
Can I apply for Graduate Route visa if I did a distance learning degree?▾
Only if you studied at least part of your course in the UK on a Student visa. Fully online degrees or courses completed entirely outside the UK do not qualify.
What happens if I cannot find a sponsored job before my Graduate visa expires?▾
You will need to leave the UK or apply for a different visa. Some graduates extend their stay via other routes (e.g. a partner visa). Plan your job search well before the visa expires — most Skilled Worker visa applications take 3–8 weeks to process.
Next steps
Official application
Apply for the Graduate Route Visa on GOV.UK
All visa applications are processed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) via the official gov.uk website.
Apply on GOV.UK