If you are a recent international graduate seeking to remain in the UK for work, or an employer considering hiring a graduate already in the UK, Appendix Graduate sets out the legal framework that applies.
The Graduate route is an unsponsored post-study work route under the Immigration Rules. It allows eligible Student visa holders who have completed a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or specified professional qualification at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance to apply for further permission.
A job offer is not required and no minimum skill or salary threshold applies. If granted, permission is issued for two years, or three years for doctoral graduates. During that period, the holder may work flexibly without the need for a sponsor licence.
Section A: Appendix Graduate within the Immigration Rules
Appendix Graduate is a standalone Appendix to the UK Immigration Rules. It governs the Graduate route under the points-based system and sets out the requirements that an applicant has to meet in order to be granted leave following successful completion of an eligible UK qualification.
The route is unsponsored. It does not require a job offer, a sponsor licence or a minimum salary threshold. If granted, permission is issued for two years, or three years where the qualification is a PhD or other doctoral award. The route does not lead directly to settlement.
1. What is Appendix Graduate?
Appendix Graduate provides the legal framework for the Graduate visa. It follows the standard structure applied across points-based routes and is divided into six categories of requirement:
a. validation requirements
b. suitability requirements
c. eligibility requirements
d. the successful completion requirement
e. the qualification requirement
f. the study in the UK requirement
An applicant is awarded 70 points for meeting the successful course completion criteria, which are satisfied through the final three requirements listed above. Each requirement is mandatory. If any element is not met, the application will be refused.
Appendix Graduate replaced the previous post-study work framework and is now the only Immigration Rules route permitting unsponsored work following completion of a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or specified professional qualification.
2. How Appendix Graduate fits within the wider Immigration Rules
Appendix Graduate operates alongside other parts of the Immigration Rules.
An applicant has to hold valid permission under Appendix Student at the date of application. The qualification relied upon must have been completed during the most recent grant of Student permission, except in the limited circumstances permitted for Student Union Sabbatical Officers. The Student sponsor, which must be a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, is required to notify the Home Office that the applicant has successfully completed the course.
All applicants are also subject to Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, which sets out the general grounds for refusal. Criminality, false representations and previous breaches of immigration conditions can result in refusal on either a mandatory or discretionary basis.
Applications have to be submitted before Student leave expires, unless paragraph 39E applies to disregard a short period of overstaying in defined circumstances.
Appendix Graduate also sits alongside other work route Appendices, including Skilled Worker. While time spent under this route does not count towards settlement, a graduate may switch into an eligible sponsored route before expiry if the relevant requirements are met.
Section B: Requirements Under Appendix Graduate
Appendix Graduate sets out six categories of requirement. These follow the standard format applied across points-based routes and are divided into validation, suitability and eligibility. The eligibility criteria are further broken down into the successful completion requirement, the qualification requirement and the study in the UK requirement.
Each category has to be met. Failure under any one element will result in refusal.
1. Overview of the six categories of requirement
The first two categories determine whether the application is valid and whether the applicant falls for refusal under the general grounds. The remaining categories determine whether the applicant scores the 70 points required for successful course completion. Each requirement must be met at the date of decision.
2. When is a Graduate application valid under Appendix Graduate?
The validation requirements govern how and when an application has to be made. An applicant has to apply from within the UK and must hold valid permission under Appendix Student at the date of application.
The application has to be submitted before Student leave expires, unless paragraph 39E applies to disregard a short period of overstaying in defined circumstances. A person who is in the UK without valid leave, or who applies after expiry without meeting paragraph 39E, will normally fail on validity.
An applicant must not have previously been granted permission under the Graduate route or under the former Doctorate Extension Scheme.
The application must be made online using the relevant form and the prescribed fee must be paid. The current application fee is £715. The Immigration Health Surcharge is payable at £1,035 per year of leave granted. Incorrect payment of fees or surcharge will result in rejection as invalid.
Where a government or international scholarship agency has sponsored both tuition fees and living costs within the 12 months before the date of application, written consent to the Graduate application is required.
3. When will a Graduate application be refused on suitability grounds?
All Graduate applications are subject to Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, which sets out the general grounds for refusal.
Refusal is mandatory in certain circumstances, including where an applicant has received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more. In other cases, refusal is discretionary. Criminal convictions resulting in shorter custodial sentences, non-custodial sentences or adverse conduct history may lead to refusal depending on the facts.
False representations, failure to disclose material information and previous breaches of immigration conditions can also trigger refusal.
In addition, an applicant must not be in the UK in breach of immigration laws at the date of application, save where paragraph 39E applies.
4. Eligibility requirements and 70 points
Under Appendix Graduate, applicants have to attain 70 points for successful course completion. These points are satisfied through three cumulative requirements:
a. the successful completion requirement
b. the qualification requirement
c. the study in the UK requirement
Section C: Eligibility Criteria in Detail
The 70 points required under Appendix Graduate are awarded for successful course completion. This is not a discretionary assessment. The applicant must meet each of the three linked requirements: successful completion, qualification and study in the UK. If one element fails, the points are not awarded and the application will be refused.
1. When is the successful completion requirement met?
The applicant must have last been sponsored under Appendix Student by a higher education provider with a track record of compliance at the date of application.
The course relied upon must have been completed during the applicant’s most recent grant of Student permission, unless the most recent permission was as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer and the qualification was completed during the immediately preceding grant of leave.
The Student sponsor is required to notify the Home Office that the applicant has successfully completed the course. This notification is central to eligibility. An application submitted before the sponsor has confirmed completion may result in refusal if the Home Office has not been notified by the date the application is decided.
The qualification must correspond to the course recorded on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, subject to permitted changes of course made in accordance with the Student route rules.
2. The qualification requirement
The qualification must be a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, PhD or other doctoral qualification awarded by an approved higher education provider. Certain specified professional qualifications at degree level or above are also eligible.
These include:
a. a validated law conversion course in England and Wales
b. the Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, or its equivalent in Scotland or Northern Ireland
c. the Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or its equivalent in Northern Ireland
d. a foundation programme in medicine or dentistry
e. a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Postgraduate Diploma in Education
f. a professional course requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above in a profession with reserved activities regulated by UK law or a UK public authority
Where the course title was amended but the underlying content remained materially the same, or where an assessed work placement or permitted study abroad element formed an integral part of the course, the qualification can still satisfy the requirement.
The qualification must have been obtained during the last grant of Student permission, subject to the limited exception for Student Union Sabbatical Officers.
3. The study in the UK requirement
Appendix Graduate requires that the applicant has spent a prescribed minimum period studying in the UK. The Rules refer to this as the “relevant period”.
Where the total length of the course was 12 months or less, the applicant must have studied the full duration of that course in the UK. Where the course lasted longer than 12 months, the applicant must have studied in the UK for at least 12 months.
Permitted study abroad programmes do not break the requirement, provided they formed part of the approved course.
Specific concessions were introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Distance learning undertaken overseas between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2022 will not prevent an applicant from meeting the study in the UK requirement, provided the prescribed entry deadlines and course commencement dates set out in the Rules were satisfied.
The study requirement is assessed by reference to the grant of Student permission and the structure of the course, not simply physical presence in the UK at the date of application.
Section D: Refusal Risks & Decision-Making Under Appendix Graduate
Appendix Graduate is prescriptive. Caseworkers assess applications against fixed criteria. If a requirement is not met at the date of decision, the application will be refused.
Most refusals arise from timing errors, sponsor notification issues or failure to meet one of the technical eligibility requirements. Criminality and previous immigration breaches may also lead to refusal under Part 9 of the Immigration Rules.
1. Common reasons Graduate applications are refused
Refusals frequently occur where the Student sponsor has not notified the Home Office that the applicant has successfully completed the course before the application is decided. The notification requirement is mandatory. If confirmation has not been received, the successful completion requirement is not met.
Applications submitted after Student leave has expired will normally fail unless paragraph 39E applies to disregard a short period of overstaying. Misunderstanding the expiry date of leave is a recurring issue.
Other common refusal grounds include:
a. an ineligible qualification
b. previous permission under the Graduate route or Doctorate Extension Scheme
c. failure to pay the correct Immigration Health Surcharge
d. adverse suitability findings under Part 9
Errors are often technical rather than substantive. The Rules do not allow discretion where eligibility criteria are not satisfied.
2. Part 9 and suitability refusals
All Graduate applications are subject to Part 9 of the Immigration Rules.
Refusal is mandatory in certain cases, including where an applicant has received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more. In other circumstances, refusal is discretionary. Shorter custodial sentences, non-custodial sentences, deception or previous breaches of immigration conditions may lead to refusal depending on the facts.
Each case is assessed on the applicant’s conduct history. A Graduate application does not displace the general grounds for refusal.
3. Administrative review and next steps
There is no right of appeal against refusal of a Graduate application. An applicant may request an administrative review where it is believed that a caseworking error has occurred.
Administrative review is limited to reviewing whether the Rules were applied correctly on the evidence before the decision-maker. It does not permit submission of new evidence to remedy a failure to meet the requirements at the date of decision.
Where administrative review is not appropriate, a fresh application under another route may be required, provided the individual continues to hold valid leave. Timing is therefore critical.
Section E: Switching, Settlement & Strategic Considerations
Appendix Graduate provides temporary permission. It does not extend automatically and it does not lead directly to settlement. Graduates who wish to remain in the UK beyond the expiry of their permission must apply under a different Immigration Rules route before their leave expires.
For employers, the Graduate route often operates as a transitional period before sponsorship. For graduates, it offers time to secure skilled employment that meets the requirements of a longer-term route.
1. When can a Graduate switch into another visa route?
A person granted leave under Appendix Graduate may switch into another eligible route from within the UK, provided they meet the requirements of that route at the date of application.
In practice, the most common switch is into the Skilled Worker route. This requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a role meeting the relevant skill level and salary thresholds and the assignment of a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
Switching must take place before Graduate permission expires. An overstayer will not normally be able to switch unless paragraph 39E applies in limited circumstances.
Other potential switching options depend on individual circumstances and may include sponsored work, family or business routes, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility criteria.
2. Does time under Appendix Graduate count towards settlement?
Time spent under Appendix Graduate does not count towards the qualifying residence period for indefinite leave to remain.
Where a Graduate switches into a route that leads to settlement, the qualifying period will begin under the new route. Previous time spent as a Graduate will not be aggregated towards the five-year residence requirement under work routes that lead to settlement.
The Graduate route therefore operates as a temporary post-study work category rather than a settlement pathway.
3. Strategic timing considerations
Graduate permission is granted for a fixed period of two or three years. There is no extension provision.
Graduates who intend to switch into a sponsored route should assess eligibility well in advance of expiry. Employers who wish to retain a Graduate employee on a longer-term basis need to consider sponsor licence status, role eligibility and salary thresholds in advance of any switching application.
Failing to apply before expiry will normally result in loss of lawful status and curtail the ability to switch from within the UK.
Section F: Summary
Appendix Graduate governs the post-study work route for international students who have completed an eligible UK qualification. The Rules are technical and prescriptive. You have to have valid Student permission, meet the successful completion criteria and satisfy the study and qualification requirements at the date of decision. Leave is granted for a fixed period and does not lead to settlement.
Section G: Need Assistance?
If you are preparing your Graduate route application or are planning a switch into another route, we can help. DavidsonMorris advises graduates and employers on compliance with the Immigration Rules. For guidance tailored to your circumstances, book a fixed-fee telephone consultation with one of our legal experts.
Section H: Appendix Graduate FAQs
What is Appendix Graduate?
Appendix Graduate is a standalone Appendix to the UK Immigration Rules governing the Graduate route. It sets out the validation, suitability and eligibility requirements that an applicant has to meet in order to be granted post-study work permission.
When does an application under Appendix Graduate have to be made?
An application must be submitted from within the UK while the applicant holds valid permission under Appendix Student. It must be made before Student leave expires, unless paragraph 39E applies to disregard a short period of overstaying in limited circumstances.
How many points are required?
An applicant must score 70 points for successful course completion. This requires meeting the successful completion, qualification and study in the UK requirements in full at the date of decision.
What qualifications are eligible?
Eligible qualifications include a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, PhD or other doctoral qualification awarded by a higher education provider with a track record of compliance. Certain specified professional qualifications at degree level or above are also eligible under the Rules.
Does the Student sponsor have to notify the Home Office?
Yes. The higher education provider must notify the Home Office that the applicant has successfully completed the relevant course. Without this notification, the successful completion requirement will not be met.
How long does permission last?
Permission is granted for two years, or three years where the qualification relied upon is a PhD or other doctoral award. Only one grant of leave is permitted under this route.
Can a Graduate visa be extended?
No. The route does not allow extension. Any continued stay in the UK requires a successful application under a different Immigration Rules route before expiry of Graduate permission.
Does time under Appendix Graduate count towards settlement?
No. Time spent under the Graduate route does not count towards the qualifying residence period for indefinite leave to remain. A graduate must switch into a settlement-leading route if long-term residence is intended.
Can dependants apply?
Only dependants who were last granted permission as dependants of a Student may apply to extend their stay in line with the main applicant. New dependants cannot join a Graduate route holder.
What work is permitted?
A Graduate may work in most roles without sponsorship and without a minimum salary threshold. Self-employment is permitted. Work as a professional sportsperson, including as a sports coach, is prohibited.
Is there a right of appeal if an application is refused?
No right of appeal is available. An applicant may request administrative review where it is believed that the decision involved a caseworking error. Administrative review is limited to whether the Rules were applied correctly on the evidence before the decision-maker.
What is the current application fee?
The Graduate Route application fee is £715. The Immigration Health Surcharge is payable at £1,035 per year of leave granted.
Section I: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Appendix Graduate | A standalone Appendix to the UK Immigration Rules governing the Graduate route and setting out validation, suitability and eligibility requirements. |
| Graduate route | An unsponsored post-study work route allowing eligible international students to remain in the UK for two years, or three years for doctoral graduates. |
| Appendix Student | The section of the Immigration Rules governing Student permission, which an applicant must hold at the date of applying under Appendix Graduate. |
| Successful completion requirement | The requirement that the applicant has completed the relevant qualification during their most recent grant of Student permission and that the sponsor has notified the Home Office. |
| Qualification requirement | The requirement that the applicant has obtained an eligible UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, doctoral qualification or specified professional qualification. |
| Study in the UK requirement | The requirement that the applicant has spent the prescribed “relevant period” studying in the UK, subject to permitted study abroad and specific concessions. |
| 70 points | The total points required under Appendix Graduate, awarded where the successful completion, qualification and study in the UK requirements are met. |
| Part 9 | The section of the Immigration Rules setting out the general grounds for refusal, including criminality, deception and previous immigration breaches. |
| Paragraph 39E | A provision within the Immigration Rules allowing limited disregard of short periods of overstaying in defined circumstances. |
| Administrative review | A mechanism allowing an applicant to request review of a refusal decision where it is alleged that a caseworking error occurred. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Settlement in the UK, granting permission to remain without time restriction. Time under Appendix Graduate does not count towards the qualifying residence period. |
| Higher education provider with a track record of compliance | An institution licensed under the Student route and recognised by the Home Office as meeting compliance standards required for sponsorship. |
Section J: Additional Useful Links
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Immigration Rules – Appendix Graduate | Full text of Appendix Graduate within the consolidated Immigration Rules. |
| GOV.UK – Graduate Visa | Official government guidance on eligibility, fees and the application process for the Graduate route. |
| Immigration Rules – Appendix Student | The Rules governing Student permission, which must be held at the date of application under Appendix Graduate. |
| Immigration Rules – Part 9: Grounds for Refusal | General refusal provisions applicable to all points-based routes, including the Graduate route. |
| GOV.UK – Skilled Worker Visa | Guidance on the sponsored work route commonly used by Graduates switching before expiry. |
| Office for Students – Register of Providers | Searchable register of higher education providers with track record of compliance status. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Official information on the Immigration Health Surcharge payable with Graduate applications. |
| Administrative Review Guidance | Government guidance explaining the administrative review process following refusal. |
| UKVI Contact Details | Contact information for UK Visas and Immigration for queries relating to applications. |
