Everything you need to know about the UK Graduate Route and post study work visas across the world's major study destinations. Updated for 2025 policy changes.
Get personalised guidance2025 policy update: The UK Government's Immigration White Paper (May 2025) proposes reducing the Graduate Route from 2 years to 18 months for non-PhD students. This is proposed for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. The current 2-year period remains in effect for applications made before that date. PhD graduates would still receive 3 years.
The Graduate Route, launched in July 2021, allows international students who complete a degree at a UK university to stay and work in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) without needing an employer to sponsor them. You can work in any sector, at any level, change jobs freely, and use the time to find a graduate-level role before transitioning to a Skilled Worker visa.
As of 2025, only PhD graduates can bring dependants on the Graduate Route. Bachelor's and master's graduates cannot bring family members on this visa.
eVisa: From 1 January 2025, successful Graduate Route applicants receive a digital eVisa instead of a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP card).
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | £700 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) | £1,035 |
| Total for 2-year visa (bachelor's/master's) | £2,770 |
| Total for 3-year visa (PhD) | £3,805 |
The most common next step. If you have a job offer from a UK employer that pays at least the minimum salary threshold (£26,200 or the going rate for the role), you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa. This can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years.
If you want to return to study for another qualification, a PhD after a master's, or a professional qualification, you can apply for a new Student visa. The Graduate Route time does not count toward permanent residency.
If you have not secured another qualifying visa before your Graduate Route expires, you must leave the UK. You cannot extend the Graduate Route, it is a one-time visa with no renewal pathway.
We help Graduate Route holders find sponsored roles before their visa expires and prepare for the Skilled Worker visa transition. Book a free session to discuss your timeline and options.
Book free career sessionThe UK is not the only option. Here is how the major study destinations compare for post-study work rights as of 2025.
No. You must wait until your university has officially confirmed that you have completed your programme. Most universities confirm this within a few weeks of your final results. You cannot switch to the Graduate Route until after your degree is officially awarded.
Yes. If you applied before your Student visa expired, you can continue working under your Student visa conditions while you wait for a decision on your Graduate Route application. The standard processing time is up to 8 weeks.
Yes. You can be self-employed on the Graduate Route. You can also combine employment and self-employment at the same time. You can set up a company, freelance, or consult alongside or instead of regular employment.
No. Time spent on the Graduate Route does not count toward the 5 years required for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Only time spent on a qualifying work visa such as the Skilled Worker visa counts toward settlement.
Start your job search during the final year of your degree, not after graduation. Build your target list of employers on the Home Office sponsor register in your field. The Graduate Route gives you two years but the job market is competitive, the earlier you start, the better positioned you will be. This is exactly the kind of planning we help with at The Tutorment.
We help students plan their transition from student to sponsored worker. Book a free session to map out your timeline, identify target employers, and start your job search strategy before graduation.
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