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Graduate visa

Important: Changes to Graduate visa duration for Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught students from 01.01.2027

For those with Student permission in the UK that successfully complete their bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, successful Graduate route applications will be granted 18 months of permission if the application is made on or after 1 January 2027. This is a reduction from the current grant of two years. Changes do not apply to anyone making an application under the Graduate route before 1 January 2027.

The Graduate visa is a route for eligible international students to apply for upon successfully completing their course.

If you wish to apply for the Graduate Visa once you have completed your studies, it is very important that you fulfil all your responsibilities as a Student Route visa holder during your time on the course, including paying your tuition fees, attending class and passing your course. Please ensure you have read your responsibilities as an international student which details these.

Please read the .

When can you apply for the Graduate visa

The UKVI advise that you can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:

  • you’re in the UK
  • your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
  • you studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
  • you’ve successfully completed that course

The UKVI have confirmed to us that lower awards such as postgraduate diplomas/postgraduate certificates would not make students eligible for the Graduate Route. You must have been awarded in line with your CAS such as a MSc or an MA for example. 

Graduate visa key points

  • You must also not have been issued leave for the Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) previously 
  • You would be able to work at any skill level for 2 years if you are eligible to apply for the Graduate visa route before 01.01.2027. If you apply from 01.01.2027 then you would be issued with 18 months. For PhD students this is 3 years
  • No financial maintenance requirement and no English Language requirement for this visa route
  • You will need to enter the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number that you used to apply for your current Student visa
  • From 9th April 2025, the visa application fee will be £880.00. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is £1,035.00 per year
  • Dependants can apply too, but they must already have existent leave as a Tier 4/Student Visa dependant and be in the UK, first time dependants are not eligible to apply
  • You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa

Graduate visa – important considerations

With a Graduate visa you can:

  • work in most jobs
  • look for work
  • be self-employed
  • continue living in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible
  • do voluntary work
  • travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

  • apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
  • work as a professional sportsperson

There is also .

Applying for the Graduate Route

Once ready and eligible, you will need to apply online on the UK government website.

Please note that your eligibility for the Graduate Route is determined and upheld by the Home Office, not DMU. You would need to make the decision yourself as to whether you wish to apply.

If you are unsure that you meet the requirements listed above or would like further advice on the Graduate route we recommend that you contact .