The Graduate Visa is a post-study immigration route designed to allow international students who have successfully completed a degree in the UK to remain in the country for a period of time to work, look for work, or gain professional experience. For employers, it provides a valuable opportunity to recruit skilled graduates without the cost or responsibility of sponsorship, while for graduates it offers a transitional step between education and longer-term career or immigration options.
What this article is about: This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the UK Graduate Visa, aimed at both graduates and UK employers. It explains the purpose and scope of the visa, outlines the eligibility requirements, details the application process, clarifies the work rights and restrictions for visa holders, and considers how the Graduate Visa fits into longer-term immigration planning, including switching to the Skilled Worker visa. It also highlights compliance issues for HR professionals and employers conducting right to work checks.
Section A: What is the Graduate Visa?
The Graduate Visa is a post-study immigration route introduced by the UK Government to support international graduates in transitioning from education to the workplace. It was launched in July 2021 as part of the UK’s wider strategy to attract and retain global talent. The route is unsponsored, meaning applicants do not need a job offer or employer sponsorship to qualify. This makes it distinct from most other UK work visas, which typically require sponsorship by a licensed employer.
To be eligible, applicants must have successfully completed an eligible course in the UK while holding a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. The course must have been undertaken at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, as recognised by the Home Office. In practice, this means most UK universities qualify, but private colleges and institutions without this record are excluded.
Graduates of degree-level or higher programmes can qualify for this visa. Specifically, the Graduate Visa is available to those who have completed:
– a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD; or
– certain professional qualifications deemed equivalent to degree-level study.
The visa is granted for two years for those completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and three years for those completing a PhD or other doctoral qualification. Importantly, time spent on a Graduate Visa does not count towards the qualifying period for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain), unlike other sponsored work visas.
The Graduate Visa differs from the Skilled Worker Visa in that there are no minimum salary thresholds, no restrictions on job roles, and no sponsorship obligations for employers. However, while this flexibility benefits both employers and graduates, it also means the Graduate Visa is temporary in nature. Graduates wishing to remain in the UK longer-term must switch to another visa route, most commonly the Skilled Worker route.
Employers should be aware that while the Graduate Visa allows graduates to work in almost any capacity, compliance obligations remain around conducting right to work checks and ensuring visa holders do not overstay their permission.
Section Summary
The Graduate Visa enables international students who have completed eligible UK courses to remain in the UK for up to two or three years, depending on the qualification. It provides significant work flexibility and does not require employer sponsorship, making it attractive to both graduates and businesses. However, it is a temporary route and does not lead directly to settlement, requiring longer-term planning if graduates or employers wish to establish ongoing employment beyond the visa’s duration.
Section B: Applying for a Graduate Visa
Applying for a Graduate Visa is a structured process that must be completed before the expiry of the applicant’s current Student visa. The application is made online through the official Home Office portal and is supported by documentary evidence to prove eligibility. Employers may wish to be aware of the process to advise prospective recruits and to understand the timing implications for hiring.
1. Application process
The Graduate Visa application is submitted online. Applicants are required to prove their identity, either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app if eligible, or by attending a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to enrol their biometrics. The application will not be decided until biometrics are submitted or the digital identity check is complete.
2. Fees and immigration health surcharge
Applicants must pay both an application fee and the immigration health surcharge (IHS). As of 2025, the application fee is £822. The IHS is payable at £1,035 per year of the visa duration. For a two-year visa this equates to £2,070, and for a three-year visa £3,105, making the Graduate Visa a significant financial commitment for applicants. Employers are not required to cover these costs, but some may choose to do so as part of a recruitment package.
3. Timing of the application
It is critical that applicants apply before their Student visa expires. They cannot apply from outside the UK — the Graduate Visa is only available to those currently holding valid Student permission in the UK. Universities generally report successful completion of eligible courses directly to the Home Office, and the application can only proceed once this report has been made.
4. Documentation required
The key documents required include:
– A valid passport or travel document.
– Current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
– Confirmation from the sponsoring university that the course has been successfully completed and reported to the Home Office.
In some cases, additional documentation may be requested to confirm identity or eligibility.
5. Decision times
The Home Office aims to decide Graduate Visa applications within eight weeks of submission. During this period, applicants can remain in the UK under the conditions of their Student visa until a decision is made. Employers recruiting graduates in this position should conduct appropriate right to work checks, taking into account the “Employer Checking Service” process if the graduate’s visa is due to expire during consideration.
Section Summary
Applying for a Graduate Visa requires an online application supported by biometric identity checks, payment of fees and the immigration health surcharge, and confirmation of course completion from a UK university. Applications must be made before the expiry of the Student visa and are normally processed within eight weeks. Employers do not play a formal role in the process but should be mindful of timing, right to work checks, and the financial burden on graduates.
Section C: Work Rights and Restrictions under the Graduate Visa
The Graduate Visa provides broad and flexible work rights, which distinguish it from most other UK immigration routes. This flexibility benefits both graduates seeking to establish themselves in the UK labour market and employers seeking to access international talent without the administrative burden of sponsorship. However, there are important conditions and restrictions that both graduates and employers must understand.
1. Permitted work activities
Holders of a Graduate Visa can:
– Work in almost any role at any skill or salary level.
– Take full-time or part-time employment.
– Be self-employed or set up their own business.
– Undertake voluntary work.
– Continue studying in the UK, provided the study does not meet the requirements for a Student visa.
This open approach allows graduates to explore career paths without limitation to shortage occupations or minimum salary thresholds. For employers, it means there are no sponsorship costs, compliance duties, or restrictions on job types when hiring Graduate Visa holders.
2. Prohibited activities
Despite its flexibility, the Graduate Visa does impose certain prohibitions. Holders cannot:
– Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
– Access public funds such as most state benefits.
– Study on a course that would normally require a Student visa (for example, a full-time degree at a licensed university).
Employers must ensure that any roles offered to Graduate Visa holders do not fall within the restricted categories.
3. Right to work checks for employers
Employers are legally required to conduct right to work checks on all staff, including Graduate Visa holders. For most, this will involve an online check using the Home Office online service, supported by a share code provided by the employee. Employers should diarise visa expiry dates and ensure follow-up checks are carried out in good time, as Graduate Visas are time-limited.
4. Employer considerations
Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, there are no sponsorship obligations under the Graduate Visa. Employers are not required to hold a sponsor licence, pay immigration fees, or monitor the graduate’s immigration status beyond carrying out standard right to work checks. However, employers should plan ahead if they wish to retain a Graduate Visa holder beyond the visa’s duration, as the graduate will need to switch to another immigration route, usually the Skilled Worker visa, which requires sponsorship and compliance with salary and role requirements.
Section Summary
The Graduate Visa grants wide-ranging work rights, allowing graduates to take employment, self-employment, or voluntary roles without restrictions on skill level or salary. Employers do not need a sponsor licence to hire Graduate Visa holders and have no sponsorship duties, though they must conduct right to work checks and prepare for the visa’s expiry. Restrictions apply in limited areas, such as professional sports and access to public funds.
Section D: Switching from Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker Visa
The Graduate Visa is designed as a transitional immigration route, offering flexibility to recent graduates but not providing a path to permanent settlement. For many graduates and their employers, the natural next step is switching to the Skilled Worker visa, which allows longer-term employment in the UK and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Understanding when and how to make this transition is crucial for both workforce planning and compliance.
1. When switching is required
The Graduate Visa lasts two years for bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates, and three years for doctoral graduates. Once this period expires, the graduate cannot extend the visa. If they wish to remain in the UK to continue working, they must switch to another immigration category. The most common route is the Skilled Worker visa, as it provides a structured framework for sponsored employment and leads towards settlement. Employers seeking to retain talented graduates will need to engage with the sponsorship system to continue employing them beyond the Graduate Visa period.
2. Eligibility for Skilled Worker visa
To switch into the Skilled Worker route, graduates must:
– Secure a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence.
– Be offered a role that meets the Skilled Worker visa skill and salary thresholds.
– Demonstrate English language proficiency (generally met through their UK degree).
From 22 July 2025, the Skilled Worker salary thresholds are:
– General threshold: £41,700
– Discounted threshold: £33,400 (for new entrants and certain shortage roles).
– Transitional threshold: £31,300 (for individuals sponsored before the July 2025 changes who remain with the same employer).
– £25,000 for specific Health and Care roles.
Graduates may qualify as “new entrants” for Skilled Worker purposes, which provides access to lower salary thresholds. A person qualifies as a new entrant if they are under 26, are switching from the Student or Graduate routes, or are working towards professional qualifications in certain roles. The new entrant rate can only be relied upon for a maximum of four years combined, including time spent on both Graduate and Skilled Worker visas.
3. Sponsorship requirements for employers
Employers wishing to sponsor a graduate under the Skilled Worker route must hold a valid sponsor licence. This involves demonstrating to the Home Office that the business is genuine, capable of meeting compliance obligations, and prepared to monitor sponsored workers. Once licensed, the employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the graduate and comply with record-keeping, reporting, and compliance duties throughout the period of sponsorship.
Employers who are not already licensed should factor in the time and costs involved in applying for a sponsor licence, as well as the ongoing compliance responsibilities.
4. Long-term settlement considerations
The Graduate Visa does not count towards the five-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, time spent on a Skilled Worker visa does. Graduates who switch into the Skilled Worker route can therefore start building residence towards ILR, enabling them to remain permanently in the UK. For employers, this represents a pathway to retaining skilled international employees on a long-term basis.
Section Summary
Switching from the Graduate Visa to the Skilled Worker visa is essential for graduates who wish to remain in the UK after their initial two or three years. While the Graduate Visa offers short-term flexibility, the Skilled Worker visa provides a structured, sponsored route that can lead to settlement. Employers must hold a sponsor licence and comply with sponsorship obligations to retain Graduate Visa holders in the longer term.
FAQs
Who can apply for the Graduate Visa?
International students who have successfully completed an eligible UK degree or higher-level qualification at a recognised higher education provider with a track record of compliance can apply. Applicants must hold a valid Student or Tier 4 (General) visa at the time of application and apply from within the UK.
How long is the Graduate Visa valid?
The Graduate Visa is granted for two years for those completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and three years for doctoral graduates. It cannot be extended.
Can dependants join a Graduate Visa holder?
Only dependants who were already in the UK as dependants on the applicant’s Student visa can remain in the UK as dependants on the Graduate Visa. New dependants cannot be added under this route.
What jobs can be done on a Graduate Visa?
Graduate Visa holders can work in almost any role, including full-time, part-time, self-employment, and voluntary work. The only restriction is that they cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
Can I switch to another visa route before my Graduate Visa expires?
Yes. Graduate Visa holders can switch into other immigration categories, most commonly the Skilled Worker visa, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Switching before expiry is often recommended if the graduate secures a qualifying sponsored role and wishes to begin building residence towards settlement.
Conclusion
The Graduate Visa offers international students the opportunity to remain in the UK after their studies to work, gain experience, and explore career options without the constraints of sponsorship. For employers, it provides immediate access to a pool of highly educated talent with no licence, sponsorship, or compliance costs, although right to work checks remain mandatory.
However, the Graduate Visa is a temporary route and does not lead directly to settlement. Employers looking to retain graduates beyond the two or three years of the visa must prepare for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route or another immigration pathway. Proactive workforce planning is therefore essential, particularly for HR teams managing visa expiry dates and considering future sponsorship needs.
In summary, the Graduate Visa delivers short-term flexibility and mutual benefit to graduates and employers alike, but it should be approached as part of a longer-term immigration strategy where retention is a priority.
Glossary
| Graduate Visa | A UK post-study work visa allowing international graduates to remain in the UK for two or three years to work or look for work. |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A sponsored UK work visa route that requires employer sponsorship and meets specific salary and role criteria, leading towards settlement. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Immigration status that allows a person to live and work in the UK without time restrictions; often referred to as permanent residency. |
| Right to Work Check | The legal process UK employers must follow to confirm that an individual has permission to work in the UK. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A mandatory fee paid by visa applicants to access NHS healthcare services during their stay in the UK. |
| Sponsor Licence | Authorisation granted by the Home Office allowing UK employers to hire and sponsor overseas workers under specific visa categories. |
Useful Links
| GOV.UK – Graduate visa: Overview | https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa |
| GOV.UK – Skilled Worker visa guidance | https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa |
| GOV.UK – Sponsor licence application guidance | https://www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers |
| DavidsonMorris – Graduate Visa | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/graduate-visa/ |
| Xpats.io – Graduate Visa | https://www.xpats.io/graduate-visa/ |
Author
Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law.
Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing & Content Agency for the Professional Services Sector.
