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Pathway

UK Graduate Visa

United Kingdom Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you finish an eligible UK course while holding Student permission, you may apply to stay through the Graduate visa. Your school or university must report that you completed the course. You must apply from inside the UK before your Student permission expires.

Studies
Completed eligible UK course, reported by the institution
Current status
Student or eligible Tier 4 permission; apply in the UK before it expires
Previous use
No previous Graduate or Doctorate Extension Scheme permission

Summary

The UK Graduate visa lets eligible students remain after their course, once the institution reports successful completion and they apply from within the UK. The application must be made while Student permission remains valid, and previous Graduate or Doctorate Extension Scheme use can prevent eligibility.

The duration depends on the qualification and application date. Non-doctoral applications by December 31, 2026 receive two years; the enacted 18-month term starts for applications from January 1, 2027. Doctoral graduates retain the three-year term.

Your school reports completion, then you apply
  1. Check that your course qualifies Your school or university must report completion to the Home Office.
  2. Apply in the UK before your visa expires Submit the application before your Student permission ends and before traveling.
  3. Check how long the visa will last The length depends on your qualification and application date.
  4. Plan what comes next If approved If you want to stay longer, prepare an application for another route before this visa ends.

You cannot extend a Graduate visa. Finishing your course does not grant it automatically. The length for non-doctoral graduates changes for applications from January 2027.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

The applicant must hold Student or legacy Tier 4 permission, have completed the course for which the sponsor issued the CAS, and meet the required UK study period. They cannot previously have held Graduate or Doctorate Extension Scheme permission. There is no sponsor, job, salary, savings or new English test.

More about this route

A non-doctoral application made by 31 December 2026 receives two years. The already-enacted reduction to 18 months applies to applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Doctoral graduates continue to receive three years.

Policy watch 1 development we’re tracking
Most Graduate Visas fall from two years to 18 months
Enacted — not yet in effect

Most Graduate Visas fall from two years to 18 months

Current official stage: Immigration Rules laid with a deferred commencement date

A non-doctoral Graduate application submitted from 1 January 2027 will normally receive 18 months rather than two years. Doctoral graduates remain eligible for three years, and the route still cannot be extended or counted directly as a settlement route.

Timing: The 18-month duration applies to Graduate applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027. The application date, rather than the graduation ceremony or course-completion date, determines which duration applies.

Last checked
References
Read the full briefing

What This Route Allows

The holder may work in most jobs, look for work and be self-employed. Study is permitted only where the course is not eligible for Student sponsorship. Professional sportsperson work and public funds are barred. From 8 April 2026 the application costs £937 per person, plus IHS for the full grant.

Existing Student dependents can normally continue if they apply. New overseas dependents generally cannot join. A July 2026 Rules change now lets a child born in the UK during the parent's current Graduate permission apply in line with that parent; it did not open the route to other new dependents.

What This Route Is Not

It cannot be extended or used twice and is not a settlement route. Graduate time does not count toward the five-year Skilled Worker or other work-route clock, though legal residence can contribute to long residence. The 18-month rule is enacted for future applications, not merely a proposal; it does not shorten a two-year visa already granted.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the sponsor has reported successful completion; do not apply merely after the last exam.
  2. Apply inside the UK before Student permission expires and before traveling.
  3. Give each existing dependent and any UK-born child a separate, timely application.
  4. Plan the next sponsored, partner or talent route well before expiry because Graduate leave cannot be extended.

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Sources