You have completed your degree in the UK. You have built a life here, gained experience, made professional connections — and now you are wondering what comes next.
For many international graduates, the Graduate visa may provide the opportunity to remain in the UK after completing their studies, work, gain experience and plan their next immigration step.
The Graduate route is an unsponsored visa route, which means you do not need a job offer or an employer willing to sponsor you before you apply. If granted, you can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed and travel in and out of the UK.
Who can apply?
You may be eligible if:
• you are currently in the UK;
• you currently hold, or last held, a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) Student visa;
• you have successfully completed an eligible UK course;
• your university or education provider is an eligible Student Sponsor with a track record of compliance; and
• your education provider has notified the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.
You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony or even for your physical degree certificate before applying. What matters is that your university has confirmed successful completion to the Home Office.
How long can you stay?
For applications made on or before 31 December 2026, a Graduate visa normally lasts 2 years.
For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the standard period will be 18 months.
If you have completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification, the Graduate visa lasts 3 years.
What can you do on a Graduate visa?
A Graduate visa gives you considerable flexibility.
You can:
• work in most jobs;
• look for work;
• be self-employed;
• undertake voluntary work;
• travel abroad and return to the UK; and
• continue living in the UK with eligible dependants who qualify under the Graduate route.
Unlike the Skilled Worker route, you do not need sponsorship from an employer simply to obtain the Graduate visa.
But the Graduate visa is temporary
The Graduate route is not a route to settlement, and it cannot normally be extended.
If you want to remain in the UK beyond the Graduate visa period, you will usually need to switch into another immigration category for which you qualify — for example, a Skilled Worker visa.
This is why it is worth thinking about your longer-term immigration plans early rather than waiting until your Graduate visa is close to expiry.
Before you apply, check your position properly
A Graduate visa application may look straightforward, but timing and eligibility still matter.
You must apply from inside the UK and before your Student permission expires. You should also make sure that your university has reported your successful course completion to UKVI before the application is submitted.
You will normally need your valid passport and the CAS reference number from your previous Student visa application. Additional documents may be required depending on your circumstances.
How Baraka Legal Services can help
If you have completed your studies and are unsure whether you qualify for the Graduate route, Baraka Legal Services can assess your circumstances before you apply.
During an immigration consultation, we can review your current immigration status, course completion, timing, university notification and relevant documents, and explain the application process and any issues that should be addressed before submission.
If you then decide that you would like us to deal with the full application on your behalf, we can discuss the next steps with you.
You worked hard for your qualification. Make sure your next immigration decision is properly planned.
Finished studying in the UK and want to stay? Better Call Baraka.
☎️ Tel: 0116 215 3392
📱 WhatsApp: 07815 500 826
📧 info@baraka.legal
🌐 http://baraka.legal
Dr Aisha Barbara Farina,
Director