Graduate Visa — work freedom, switching options, and a clean, on-time application

Stay in the UK for 2 years (or 3 years if you completed a PhD) to work, gain experience, or start a business. We confirm eligibility, time your application, and prepare a decision-ready file.

At A Glance

Stay in the UK after successfully completing an eligible UK degree under a Student/Tier 4 visa. Apply once your education provider has reported completion to the Home Office. This route offers flexible work rights but cannot be extended; plan an early switch (e.g., Skilled Worker).

Eligibility & route

Be in the UK with a valid Student/Tier 4 visa at application.
Provider has reported successful course completion to the Home Office.
Completed a UK Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD with required in-UK study.
Length: 2 years (or 3 years for PhD/Doctorate).
Dependants: only if previously your Student-route dependants.

Evidence & process

Passport/ID and BRP (if issued); Student sponsor/CAS details.
Provider must have notified completion (keep transcript/letter).
Apply online, pay fee + IHS, verify identity (app or UKVCAS).
Decision times: typically weeks; availability of priority can vary.
Work in most jobs; no public funds; no professional sportsperson.

We time filing against expiry, prepare clean evidence, and plan your switch (Skilled Worker/Scale-up).

Eligibility

Be in the UK with a valid Student/Tier 4 visa when applying.
Your education provider has reported successful course completion to the Home Office.
Completed an eligible UK Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD with required in-UK study.
No suitability issues (e.g., breaches) that would make the application invalid/refusable.

Work rights

Can: Work in most jobs, be self-employed, and change employers freely.
Can: Volunteer or travel without restriction.
Can’t: Access public funds or work as a professional sportsperson.
Duration: 2 years (3 years if PhD/Doctorate) — cannot extend.

Costs & documents

Home Office application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) per year.
Passport/ID, BRP (if issued), and Student sponsor details.
Evidence that your education provider has reported completion.

After your Graduate visa

Switch to Skilled Worker, Scale-up, or Global Talent.
Time counts toward 10-year long residence (not ILR directly).
We align job offer, salary, and timing to prepare your next route.

How we help

From eligibility checks to a decision — we prepare a clean, decision-ready application and a plan for your next route (e.g., Skilled Worker) so you don’t lose momentum.

Eligibility & timing

Confirm your course is eligible and completion has been reported.
Check Student/Tier 4 permission and application window.
Flag any risks and deadlines early.

Document set

Passport/ID, BRP (if issued), sponsor/CAS details.
Completion confirmation (plus transcript/letter for reference).
Dependants’ relationship evidence (if applicable).

Application & IHS

Complete online forms precisely for main applicant & dependants.
Pay fees and Immigration Health Surcharge securely.
Upload evidence in a clean, indexed structure.

Identity & biometrics

Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app where eligible, or UKVCAS appointment.
Guidance on photos, scans and attendance.
We monitor confirmations and follow up if needed

Decision & status

Typical decisions in weeks; we track progress and respond to queries.
Post-decision checks (digital status/BRC where issued).
Employer right-to-work guidance on request.

Next-step strategy

Plan switch to Skilled Worker/Scale-up/Global Talent before expiry.
Salary/role alignment and sponsor readiness.
Long-residence timelines and travel planning.

Fees & processing

Below are typical Home Office fees and common processing timelines. We’ll confirm the latest figures and service availability during your consultation.

Application fee

Main applicant: £880
Each dependant: £880

Paid online at the point of application.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

Per year: £1,035
2-year Graduate visa: £2,070 total
3-year (PhD): £3,105 total

Charged per applicant, for each year of permission.

Processing time

Standard: typically within 8 weeks after ID checks.
Priority/Super Priority: availability can vary.

We’ll advise on current service options and realistic timelines.

What our service includes

Eligibility review and timing plan.
Document checklist, templates and upload formatting.
Accurate online forms and IHS payment guidance.
ID verification support (app/UKVCAS) and follow-up.
Switching strategy (e.g., Skilled Worker) and timelines.

FAQs

Answers to common questions about the Graduate (Post-Study Work) Visa route.

Does time on a Graduate visa count towards settlement (ILR)?

It doesn’t lead directly to ILR, but time can count towards the 10-year long residence route. Many applicants later switch to Skilled Worker, Scale-up, or Global Talent.

When can I apply — do I need my degree certificate?

You can apply once your provider has reported successful completion to the Home Office. You don’t have to wait for your ceremony or paper certificate.

Can I be self-employed or change jobs freely?

Yes. You can work at any skill level, be self-employed, volunteer, and change employers without sponsorship. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson and you cannot access public funds.

Are dependants allowed on the Graduate route?

Only if they were already your Student-route dependants (or last granted as such) and continue to meet the rules. Each dependant makes a separate application and pays the fee + IHS.

How long does a decision take?

Standard decisions are commonly within several weeks from identity checks. Priority availability can vary. We’ll confirm current timelines when preparing your application.

Can I travel while my application is pending?

Travelling after submitting biometrics/ID can risk treating the application as withdrawn. We usually advise not travelling until a decision, unless we confirm it’s safe for your case.

Documents checklist

We’ll tailor this list to your situation. Keep originals handy and provide clear scans (front/back where applicable).

Identity & immigration

Passport/Travel document (valid).
BRP (if issued) or digital status details.
Previous visas/immigration history (if relevant).

Education / completion

Provider must have reported completion to the Home Office.
Transcript/letter of completion (for reference when needed).
CAS/sponsor details from your Student/Tier 4 route.

Contact & residence

UK address and contact details.
Travel history/absences (if requested).
Police registration (if applicable/legacy).

Dependants (if applicable)

Partner: marriage/civil partnership certificate or durable relationship evidence.
Children: birth certificates and proof of responsibility/residence.
Proof they were your Student-route dependants most recently.

Application & fees

Payment cards for application fee + IHS.
Identity verification: UK Immigration ID Check app or UKVCAS.
Photo/scan quality meets guidance (we’ll validate).

Optional / case-specific

TB certificate (only if specifically requested).
Any legal name change documents.
Evidence for future switching planning (job offer/salary draft).

Common pitfalls & how we prevent them

We time filing carefully, align evidence, and avoid errors that cause refusals or invalid applications.

Completion not reported yet

Applying before the provider has reported completion can invalidate the application.
We prevent: confirm reporting on the record; obtain confirmation emails/portal notes.

Late filing / status gap

Missing the window after course completion or near Student visa expiry.
We prevent: track deadlines; set file-ready dates; escalate if results are delayed.

Ineligible study pattern

Remote/overseas study or insufficient in-UK study time causing ineligibility.
We prevent: audit course record; check permitted time abroad and qualifying periods.

Dependants not eligible

Partner/children trying to join when they weren’t Student-route dependants.
We prevent: verify last grants; evidence of relationship/continuous residence.

Travel during a pending application

Leaving the UK after ID checks can be treated as withdrawing the application.
We prevent: travel check; advise safe windows; contingency if urgent travel is required.

Future switch left too late

No plan for Skilled Worker/Scale-up/Global Talent before the Graduate visa expires.
We prevent: map job offer, salary and timing; align with sponsor/licence readiness.