Graduate Visa Application UK

The Graduate visa is designed for international students who have successfully completed an eligible course in the UK. It offers the opportunity to remain in the UK after study, either to work, gain professional experience, or seek employment without requiring employer sponsorship.

What this article is about: This article provides a comprehensive guide to the Graduate visa application. It explains what the visa is, who is eligible, the application process, the documents required, and the costs involved. It also considers employer obligations, compliance considerations, and how the Graduate visa can act as a bridge to longer-term routes such as the Skilled Worker visa.

The Graduate visa is an unsponsored route, giving applicants flexibility in employment, but it comes with important restrictions and is time-limited. Employers must also be aware of how to manage Graduate visa holders in their workforce, particularly in relation to right to work checks and longer-term workforce planning.

Section A: Understanding the Graduate Visa

The Graduate visa is a UK immigration route that allows international students who have successfully completed an eligible course to remain in the country to work or look for work. It was introduced in July 2021 as part of the UK’s post-Brexit immigration reforms and is often referred to as the UK’s “post-study work visa.”

This visa route is aimed at supporting the UK’s higher education sector by making it attractive to international students, offering them the chance to gain practical work experience after their studies. It is also designed to give UK employers access to a wider pool of skilled graduates without the administrative and financial burden of sponsorship.

1. What is the Graduate visa?

The Graduate visa is a temporary, unsponsored immigration route available to international students who have completed a qualifying UK higher education course on a Student visa. It allows successful applicants to stay in the UK for two years (or three years for doctoral graduates) to work at any skill or salary level, or to seek employment.

2. Purpose of the route and who it is designed for

The Graduate visa is intended for students who wish to remain in the UK after their studies to gain work experience, explore career opportunities, or prepare for switching to a longer-term visa route such as the Skilled Worker visa. It provides time and flexibility for graduates to transition into the UK labour market.

3. Differences between Graduate visa and Skilled Worker visa

Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the Graduate visa does not require employer sponsorship or a minimum salary threshold. Holders can take up almost any job, regardless of skill level, including self-employment or voluntary work. However, the Graduate visa is time-limited and cannot be extended. To remain in the UK beyond this period, graduates must switch to another visa category, often the Skilled Worker route.

4. Advantages and limitations for applicants and employers

For applicants, the main advantage of the Graduate visa is flexibility. It allows work in any sector or job role without sponsorship, which is particularly useful while building experience or seeking a career path. However, its key limitation is the inability to extend or count time on this visa towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

For employers, the Graduate visa presents an opportunity to employ international graduates without needing a sponsor licence or completing immigration compliance tasks such as assigning Certificates of Sponsorship. That said, if an employer wants to retain a Graduate visa holder beyond their visa expiry, they will need to consider sponsoring the individual under a suitable route such as the Skilled Worker visa.

Section A Summary
The Graduate visa is a flexible, unsponsored immigration route that allows international students to remain in the UK for a limited period after study. It provides opportunities for both graduates and employers, but it is transitional rather than permanent. Employers should view the Graduate visa as a short-term solution, with strategic planning needed for sponsorship if they intend to retain international graduates long-term.

Section B: Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

To apply for a Graduate visa, applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria under the UK Immigration Rules. These rules ensure that only those who have completed higher education at approved UK institutions, under the appropriate visa conditions, can benefit from this post-study route.

1. Qualification and course requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed an eligible UK course at a recognised higher education provider with a track record of compliance. Eligible qualifications include:

• UK bachelor’s degree
• UK master’s degree
• UK doctoral qualification (PhD or other doctorate)
• Specified professional qualifications at degree level or above

The course must have been a minimum of 12 months in length (if studied on a Student visa) or the full duration if the course was shorter.

2. Status and timing

The applicant must hold a valid Student visa (or Tier 4 visa under the previous system) at the time of application. Importantly, they must apply from within the UK before their Student visa expires.

They must also have received official confirmation from their education provider that they have successfully completed their course. The application cannot be submitted until the provider has reported this to the Home Office.

3. Exclusions

Not all courses or institutions qualify. Key exclusions include:

• Qualifications gained at institutions without a track record of compliance with UKVI rules
• Distance learning courses where the applicant did not spend the required time studying in the UK (COVID-19 concessions have now ended)
• Courses delivered by overseas franchise institutions, even if partly studied in the UK
• Foundation programmes that do not meet degree-level requirements

4. English language and financial requirements

Unlike many other UK visa routes, applicants are not required to meet fresh English language or financial maintenance requirements when applying for a Graduate visa. These were already satisfied under the Student visa application.

Section B Summary
To be eligible for the Graduate visa, applicants must have completed an approved UK higher education course, applied from within the UK on a valid Student visa, and received official confirmation of course completion. Certain courses and institutions are excluded, but there are no additional English language or financial tests.

Section C: Application Process and Documentation

The Graduate visa application must be made online from within the UK. Applicants cannot apply from overseas, and they must do so before their Student visa expires. The process is designed to be straightforward but requires careful attention to timing, documents, and fees.

1. When and how to apply

Applications can only be made once the applicant’s higher education provider has notified the Home Office that the course has been successfully completed. This confirmation is usually sent electronically.

The application is made via the UK Government website. Applicants must create an online account, complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay the relevant fees. Biometrics (fingerprints and photographs) are provided either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if eligible) or at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre.

2. Required documents

The following documents are typically required:

• A valid passport or travel document
• Current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), if applicable
• Confirmation from the higher education provider of course completion
• Previous Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number (referenced to confirm eligibility)
• Proof of relationship for dependants (if applicable)

Applicants are generally not required to provide evidence of finances or English language proficiency, as these conditions were already satisfied under the Student visa route.

3. Application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The application fee for a Graduate visa is currently £822. In addition, applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year of leave granted. This means:

• £2,070 for a two-year Graduate visa
• £3,105 for a three-year Graduate visa (for PhD graduates)

The total cost can therefore be significant and should be budgeted for in advance.

4. Typical processing times

Most Graduate visa applications are processed within 8 weeks from the date biometrics are submitted or verified. During this period, applicants must remain in the UK and should not travel until they receive a decision.

5. Common reasons for refusal

Applications may be refused if:

• The applicant applies after their Student visa has expired
• The education provider has not notified the Home Office of successful course completion
• The applicant studied at an institution without a track record of compliance
• The applicant provides false or incomplete information

Section C Summary
The Graduate visa application process is completed online and requires applicants to apply before their Student visa expires. While the process is simpler than many other routes, attention must be given to timing, required documents, and the cost of fees and the IHS. Errors or delays in course confirmation are common causes of refusal.

Section D: Impact on Employers and Compliance

Although the Graduate visa is an unsponsored immigration route, it still carries important implications for employers. Understanding what the visa allows, how right to work checks should be handled, and the limitations of the route is essential for compliance and workforce planning.

1. Right to work checks for Graduate visa holders

Employers must always conduct valid right to work checks before employing a Graduate visa holder. This is usually done online through the Home Office checking service using the individual’s share code. A valid check provides the employer with a statutory excuse against liability for illegal working. Employers must also repeat checks before the visa expires to maintain compliance.

2. Differences from sponsorship routes

Employing someone on a Graduate visa does not require a sponsor licence, nor does it involve issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Employers are not responsible for reporting or compliance duties under this route. However, they must monitor visa expiry dates to ensure continued compliance with right to work obligations.

3. Work permissions

Graduate visa holders are permitted to work in almost any job, at any skill or salary level. They can also be self-employed, work part time, or volunteer. However, there are restrictions on practising as a professional sportsperson or coach. In some regulated professions, such as medicine or law, additional qualifications or registrations are required before employment is possible.

4. Transition from Graduate visa to Skilled Worker visa

Since the Graduate visa cannot be extended, employers wishing to retain staff beyond the two- or three-year period will need to sponsor the individual under a longer-term route such as the Skilled Worker visa. This requires the employer to hold a sponsor licence and for the role to meet the relevant salary and skill thresholds. Early planning is critical to avoid disruption.

5. Employer risk considerations and record-keeping duties

While sponsorship duties do not apply, employers should maintain accurate HR records of Graduate visa holders, including visa expiry dates, right to work check confirmations, and any updates. This helps mitigate risk during Home Office audits or compliance visits. Employers should also consider the cost and practicalities of switching employees to sponsored routes as part of workforce planning.

Section D Summary
The Graduate visa allows employers to recruit international graduates without sponsorship or additional compliance burdens. However, employers must carry out valid right to work checks and manage visa expiry dates carefully. Long-term workforce planning is necessary to ensure continuity, as the Graduate visa is a short-term immigration route that cannot be extended.

FAQs

Can a Graduate visa be extended?

No. The Graduate visa cannot be extended beyond the two years (or three years for doctoral graduates) initially granted. Applicants who wish to stay longer must switch to another visa category, such as the Skilled Worker visa.

Can dependants apply?

Dependants can only apply if they are already in the UK as dependants on the Student visa at the time of application. New dependants cannot join a Graduate visa holder under this route.

What happens if an application is refused?

If a Graduate visa application is refused, the applicant may have a right to an administrative review. However, if the refusal is due to ineligibility, the applicant will usually need to consider alternative visa routes or leave the UK before their current leave expires.

Can a Graduate visa holder switch to another visa?

Yes. Graduate visa holders can switch to a range of other visa categories, including the Skilled Worker visa, Innovator Founder visa, or family visas, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

How long does the Graduate visa last?

The Graduate visa lasts for two years for bachelor’s or master’s graduates, and three years for doctoral graduates. Time spent on the Graduate visa does not count towards settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Conclusion

The Graduate visa provides international students with a valuable opportunity to remain in the UK after completing their studies. It is designed as a flexible, short-term immigration route that allows graduates to work, gain experience, and explore career opportunities without the need for employer sponsorship.

For applicants, the route offers freedom to work in almost any role, but its time-limited nature means forward planning is necessary for those seeking longer-term residence in the UK. For employers, the Graduate visa represents an accessible way to benefit from international talent without immediate sponsorship obligations, but long-term workforce management may require transition to routes such as the Skilled Worker visa.

Both applicants and employers should approach the Graduate visa as a stepping stone rather than a permanent solution. Clear understanding of the eligibility rules, application process, and compliance obligations helps ensure that the benefits of this route are maximised and risks are managed effectively.

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