UK Graduate Route Visa 2026: 2-Year Post-Study Work Guide
Fahad Javaid · 4 Oct 2026
#Graduate Route visa#post-study work UK#PSW visa#UK immigration#international graduates
UK Graduate Route Visa 2026: 2-Year Post-Study Work Guide
The Graduate Route (launched July 2021) is the UK's post-study work visa — allowing international students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after graduation (3 years for PhD). No sponsor required. No salary threshold. No cap.
Here's everything you need to know for the 2026 cycle.
What Is the Graduate Route?
Feature
Detail
Duration
2 years (Bachelor's/Master's) / 3 years (PhD)
Work rights
Any job, any skill level, self-employment allowed
Switching
Can switch to Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, etc.
Dependants
Can bring partner/children (if they were dependants on Student visa)
Not extendable — must switch to another route before expiry
Eligibility (Must Meet ALL)
Requirement
Detail
Valid Student visa
At time of application
Completed course
Degree awarded (or confirmation of award)
Course level
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, PGCE, PGDE, or professional course (RQF 6+)
Study in UK
Minimum period: 12 months (or full course if shorter)
Provider
Licensed Student sponsor with track record of compliance
In UK
Must apply from inside the UK
Ineligible if:
Course was mostly distance learning (except COVID concessions)
You're on a Short-Term Study visa
Course was below RQF level 6 (except some professional courses)
Provider lost sponsor licence / compliance status
Application Process
When to Apply
After your university confirms course completion (official results / award letter)
Before your Student visa expires
Window: Typically 2–3 months after results
Documents Required
Document
Details
Passport
Valid
BRP
Biometric Residence Permit
CAS
Not needed (but keep for records)
Degree certificate / transcript
Or university confirmation of award letter
Proof of address
UK address (tenancy, bank statement)
TB test
Not required (already done for Student visa)
Application fee
£822
IHS
£776 × 2 years = £1,552 (PhD: £2,328)
Online Application Steps
Create UKVI account (gov.uk/apply-graduate-visa)
Prove identity — UK Immigration: ID Check app (scan BRP + face)
Complete form — Course details, address, employment history
Pay fees — £822 + IHS
Submit — Decision typically 5–10 working days
What You Can Do on Graduate Route
Activity
Allowed?
Any employment
Yes (full-time, part-time, multiple jobs)
Self-employment / freelance
Yes
Start a business
Yes (but not as "entrepreneur" route)
Volunteer
Yes
Study
Yes (but not on Student visa)
Travel in/out UK
Yes
Bring dependants
Only if they were dependants on your Student visa
Access public funds
No
Vote
No
Switching to Skilled Worker (The Main Path to Settlement)
Factor
Graduate Route
Skilled Worker
Sponsor needed
No
Yes (licensed sponsor)
Skill level
Any
RQF 3+ (A-level equivalent)
Salary threshold
None
£26,200/year OR £10.75/hr OR "going rate"
English test
No
Yes (if not proven)
Leads to ILR
No
Yes (5 years)
Dependants
Existing only
Can add new
When to Switch
Ideally: Before Graduate Route expires
Job offer from licensed sponsor with Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Salary: Must meet threshold (check "going rate" for your SOC code)
Cool-off period: None — can switch Day 1 of Graduate Route
Pro tip: Start job hunting 6 months before graduation. Many grad schemes open applications in September for next-year start.
PhD Graduates: 3-Year Advantage
Aspect
Bachelor's/Master's
PhD
Duration
2 years
3 years
IHS total
£1,552
£2,328
Time to find sponsor job
24 months
36 months
PhD-level roles
Eligible
Eligible + academic roles
PhD bonus: Can apply for Global Talent Visa (if research excellence) — no sponsor, fast track to ILR (3 years).
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply if my Student visa expired?
A: No. You must have valid Student visa at application. If expired, you may need to apply for "permission to stay" — complex, seek legal advice.
Q: Can I do a second Master's on Graduate Route?
A: Yes, you can study, but not on a Student visa. You'd pay international fees.
Q: Does time on Graduate Route count toward ILR?
A: No. Only Skilled Worker, Global Talent, and some other routes count toward the 5-year ILR qualifying period.
Q: Can my spouse work?
A: Yes, if they were your dependant on Student visa. They get full work rights.
Q: What if I lose my job?
A: No reporting requirement. You can be unemployed — just find another job or switch visa before expiry.
Q: Can I apply from outside UK?
A: No. Must be in UK with valid Student visa.
Timeline: Graduate Route to Settlement
Year 0: Graduate (Student visa valid)
↓
Month 0–2: Apply for Graduate Route
↓
Year 1–2: Work on Graduate Route
↓ (find Skilled Worker sponsor)
Month 18–22: Switch to Skilled Worker
↓
Year 2–7: 5 years on Skilled Worker
↓
Year 7: Apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
↓
Year 8: Apply for British Citizenship (if desired)
Cost Summary (2026)
Item
Cost
Application fee
£822
IHS (2 years)
£1,552
Total
£2,374
PhD (3 years IHS)
£3,148 total
Need Help with Your Graduate Route Application?
At OE Consultants, we help graduating students navigate the transition from Student visa to Graduate Route — and plan the switch to Skilled Worker for long-term settlement. Contact us for a free consultation.
Complete guide to Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — eligibility rules, duration by program length, application process, and how to leverage it for Permanent Residency.
