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UK Graduate Route Visa

Clear guidance on the UK Graduate visa (Graduate Route): who can apply after eligible UK study, how long you can stay, fees and key GOV.UK requirements.

What Is the UK Graduate Route?

The UK Graduate visa (Graduate Route) lets eligible international students stay in the UK to work or look for work after successfully completing an eligible course at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance.
According to GOV.UK, you must apply from inside the UK, hold (or have last held) Student / Tier 4 permission, and your education provider must have told the Home Office you successfully completed your course. You do not need a job offer to apply.

Key Graduate Visa Points (GOV.UK)

Topic Current Official Snapshot
Where to apply You must be in the UK when you apply.
Timing Apply before your Student / Tier 4 visa expires, after your provider confirms course completion.
Stay length (non-doctoral) 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027.
Doctoral qualification Generally 3 years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification.
Application fee £937 application fee (confirm current GOV.UK amount when you apply).
Healthcare surcharge Immigration Health Surcharge is also payable; GOV.UK calculates the amount for your grant length.
Job offer Not required to apply for the Graduate visa.

How ICG Globe Helps With Graduate Route Planning

  • ✓ Confirm whether your course and sponsor profile appear Graduate Route eligible
  • ✓ Map Student visa expiry against completion confirmation timing
  • ✓ Explain documents typically needed (passport, CAS reference, identity evidence)
  • ✓ Clarify dependant and scholarship-consent issues where relevant
  • ✓ Estimate fee and healthcare surcharge planning using official GOV.UK figures
  • ✓ Discuss work options during Graduate permission and later skilled-worker pathways
  • ✓ Coordinate study-abroad planning so the Graduate Route is considered early

Our UK Graduate Visa Support Process

01

Eligibility Screen

We review your Student permission, course level and provider compliance track record.

02

Timeline Plan

We align course completion confirmation with your visa expiry date.

03

Document Prep

We help you gather identity and application documents listed on GOV.UK.

04

Application Guidance

We walk through the online Graduate visa application flow and common pitfalls.

05

After Decision

We outline work flexibility under Graduate permission and longer-term options.

Official Sources

Always verify details on GOV.UK Graduate visa pages and Immigration Rules Appendix Graduate before applying. Stay lengths, fees and dependant rules have been updated in recent Home Office policy changes — screenshots on blogs can be outdated.
ICG Globe provides educational and immigration guidance. We do not guarantee Home Office decisions.

Planning a UK Graduate visa after your degree? Let’s check timing and eligibility early.

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FAQS

UK Graduate Route FAQs

Can I apply for the Graduate visa from outside the UK?

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No. GOV.UK requires you to be in the UK when you apply.

Do I need a job offer for the Graduate Route?

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No. A job offer is not required to apply for a Graduate visa.

How long does a Graduate visa last?

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For most eligible bachelor’s/master’s graduates, GOV.UK currently states 2 years if applying on or before 31 December 2026, or 18 months if applying on or after 1 January 2027. Doctoral qualifications are generally 3 years.

When can I apply?

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After your education provider tells the Home Office you successfully completed the course, and before your Student or Tier 4 visa expires.

Is the Graduate Route the same as Study in the UK?

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No. Study in the UK is about admission and Student visa entry. The Graduate Route is a post-study work permission after eligible completion.