The Graduate Visa: Stay and Work in the UK for 18 Months After Your Degree
The Graduate route lets you stay after graduating without a job offer. Costs, timing, what you can do on it, and how to move to a Skilled Worker visa afterwards.
The Graduate visa is the reason many students choose the UK over other countries. You apply from inside the UK after completing your degree, no sponsor is needed, and you can work in any job at any salary while you find your feet. From 2027 the route is expected to shorten to 18 months for most graduates, so timing matters more than ever.
Who can apply
- You hold a valid Student visa at the time of application.
- Your university has told the Home Office you successfully completed the course.
- You studied in the UK for at least 12 months (or the full course if it was shorter).
- You are applying before your Student visa expires.
You must be physically in the UK when you submit. Students who fly home for the summer after their final exam and try to apply from abroad are refused. Apply first, travel second.
What you can do on the Graduate visa
- Work full time in any role, including self-employment and freelancing.
- Switch employers freely — no sponsorship, no minimum salary.
- Study part time (but not a course that would need a Student visa).
You cannot claim public funds, and time on the route does not count towards settlement (indefinite leave to remain).
The realistic plan: Graduate → Skilled Worker
Most people use the 18 months to secure an employer who will sponsor a Skilled Worker visa. The general salary threshold is £38,700, but "new entrants" — graduates under 26 or switching from the Graduate route within a limited window — qualify for a lower threshold of around 70% of the going rate. Our Career Hub keeps a live list of UK visa-sponsoring employers and drafts your applications with AI.
Costs to budget
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £880 |
| IHS (18 months) | £1,552 |
| Total | £2,432 |
Many students underestimate this. Set the money aside in your final semester — the Budget tracker in UniLife has a "visa fund" category for exactly this reason.
The students who convert to Skilled Worker fastest started networking in October, not July. Book a free planning call with us and we will show you how the Career Hub, CV builder and sponsor list fit together.
Sources
gov.uk/graduate-visa · UKCISA Graduate route · Skilled Worker eligibility. Rules change frequently — this page reflects the position in September 2026.
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