Citizeo
Pathway

UK Graduate Visa

United Kingdom Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

The UK Graduate visa is for people who are in the UK on a Student or Tier 4 visa and have successfully completed an eligible UK course. It gives post-study permission to stay and work, but it cannot be extended and usually needs a later route for long-term settlement.

Type
Study-to-residence pathway
Study plan
Students using education as a bridge to residence
Core requirements
Study records, local status, and post-study requirements
What to know
Study can help, but permanent residence has its own rules
Initial stay
2 years (3 for PhD)
Time to permanent residence
Via Skilled Worker

Summary

The Graduate route lets an eligible Student stay in the UK after successfully completing a qualifying UK course. The education sponsor must report completion and the person must apply in the UK before Student permission expires.

A non-doctoral application made by 31 December 2026 receives two years. The already-enacted reduction to 18 months applies to applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Doctoral graduates continue to receive three years.

Pathway fit check

Eligibility

The applicant must hold Student or legacy Tier 4 permission, have completed the course for which the sponsor issued the CAS, and meet the required UK study period. They cannot previously have held Graduate or Doctorate Extension Scheme permission. There is no sponsor, job, salary, savings or new English test.

Policy watch 1 development we’re tracking
Most Graduate Visas fall from two years to 18 months
Enacted — not yet in effect

Most Graduate Visas fall from two years to 18 months

Current official stage: Immigration Rules laid with a deferred commencement date

A non-doctoral Graduate application submitted from 1 January 2027 will normally receive 18 months rather than two years. Doctoral graduates remain eligible for three years, and the route still cannot be extended or counted directly as a settlement route.

Timing: The 18-month duration applies to Graduate applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027. The application date, rather than the graduation ceremony or course-completion date, determines which duration applies.

Current pathway rules still apply.

Last checked UK Home Office — explanatory memorandum to HC 1333UK Home Office — Statement of Changes HC 1333
Read the full briefing

What This Route Allows

The holder may work in most jobs, look for work and be self-employed. Study is permitted only where the course is not eligible for Student sponsorship. Professional sportsperson work and public funds are barred. From 8 April 2026 the application costs £937 per person, plus IHS for the full grant.

Existing Student dependents can normally continue if they apply. New overseas dependents generally cannot join. A July 2026 Rules change now lets a child born in the UK during the parent's current Graduate permission apply in line with that parent; it did not open the route to other new dependents.

What This Route Is Not

It cannot be extended or used twice and is not a settlement route. Graduate time does not count toward the five-year Skilled Worker or other work-route clock, though lawful residence can contribute to long residence. The 18-month rule is enacted for future applications, not merely a proposal; it does not shorten a two-year visa already granted.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the sponsor has reported successful completion; do not apply merely after the last exam.
  2. Apply inside the UK before Student permission expires and before traveling.
  3. Give each existing dependent and any UK-born child a separate, timely application.
  4. Plan the next sponsored, partner or talent route well before expiry because Graduate leave cannot be extended.
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Sources