Graduate Visa
Applying for a UK Graduate Visa can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when trying to meet all the requirements and deadlines. Missing a step can lead to delays or even refusal.
Our experienced immigration advisers are here to assist you with every part of the application process, from checking your eligibility to submitting your documents correctly.
Contact us today at +2080162308 or speak with us via our online chat for expert guidance and peace of mind.
Applying for a UK Graduate Visa can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when trying to meet all the requirements and deadlines. Missing a step can lead to delays or even refusal.
Our experienced immigration advisers are here to assist you with every part of the application process, from checking your eligibility to submitting your documents correctly.
Contact us today at +2080162308 or speak with us via our online chat for expert guidance and peace of mind.
What is a Graduate Visa?
The Graduate Visa is a post-study work visa enabling international students who have succeeded in obtaining an eligible degree in the UK to remain in the UK to work or seek employment up to:
- Two years, or
- Three years in the case of those who are being awarded doctorates.
The Graduate Visa is not a direct settlement route; however, graduates on this route have access to other work-based routes that can lead to settlement.
Are you an international student hoping to remain in the UK upon graduation? The Graduate Visa may be your way. Nevertheless, you have to meet special criteria of the Home Office to be qualified.
To be eligible for a Graduate Visa, you will need to:
- Be physically present in the UK during the time of application.
- Possess a valid Student visa or Tier 4 Student visa. This visa should be issued based on the same qualification that you have attained.
- Studied a course that is approved and attended an institution in the UK, which is a licensed sponsor and has a record of compliance with immigration requirements.
- Complete your degree or other qualification that might have been approved successfully. Your education provider should notify the Home Office and ensure that you are eligible in all academic aspects.
Exemptions
If your course has been 1 year or less, you need to have taken all of your UK courses in the UK.
In longer courses, there should be a minimum of 12 months of in-country study.
Qualifying Graduate Courses
Not all educational levels are eligible for this visa. Employable programs include the following:
- Bachelor (Undergraduate)
- Master’s and Doctorate (Postgraduate)
The courses associated with legal education:
- Law conversion courses called out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Legal Practice Course (England and Wales)
- Northern Ireland Solicitors Course
- Bar Practice Course (England and Wales)
- Bar Course (Northern Ireland)
- The Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Scotland)
Other qualifying programs:
- Medical/Dental degree foundation studies
- Postgraduate teaching qualifications, e.g.:
- PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)
- PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education)
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It is essential to time your Graduate Visa application. Applying at the appropriate time will make you qualified and will give you no problems with your immigration status.
Submit at Least Before Your Student Visa Ends
You should make your application before your existing Student visa or Tier 4 (General) visa expires. Suppose that your visa expires, and you change it to any other type of UK visa, you will lose your right to apply under the Graduate route.
After your Student visa has finished, you will not be able to lodge a Graduate visa (in the UK) even under all other conditions.
And Do Not Apply Too Soon Either
As much as there is a need not to be caught up in the eleventh hour, it is also not a very good idea to do so early, and you could also be caught out.
Should the Home Office feel your application was premature, especially in cases where course completion is not confirmed appropriately, this might lead to a refusal of your application, which has some irredeemable effects on your immigration history in the UK.
When Can You Apply?
Your application can begin when your university or college has informed the Home Office that you have successfully passed your eligible course. You do not even have to attend your graduation ceremony or receive a hard copy certificate.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Decision?
The Home Office typically takes 8 weeks on average to process Graduate visa applications. But your wait time may be high when:
- Other documents are required
- You must go to a biometric session
- Your papers need to be reviewed further
- Your case is socially sensitive (e.g., prior convictions)
Is it Possible to wait in the UK?
Yes. When applying for a Graduate visa, if your Student visa is expiring and you are waiting on a decision on your Graduate visa application, you are legally entitled to remain in the UK until a decision is made, as long as you have applied before your visa expires.
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A Graduate Visa application in the UK is web-based and relatively simple; however, timing and precision are paramount.
The application should be filed before the expiry of your existing Student visa.
You do not have to wait until you have attended your graduation ceremony; you can start to apply as soon as your college has informed the Home Office that you have completed your course.
Step 1: Open Your Online Application
One can start by registering and opening an account at the official UK Home Office site with your email address.
When you are registered, you will be able to access and complete the Graduate Visa application form.
You can save the form to be filled out at a later date to prepare some information or documents.
Step 2: Confirm Your Identity
Whether your nationality is recognized and the kind of passport you have, you shall be briefed on how to establish your identity. Either of the following would be the case:
Option A:
Scan through your biometric passport or identity document using the UK Immigration: ID Check mobile application.
Option B:
Make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre and go there to leave your fingerprints and your photograph.
Step 3: Submission of Additional Documents
Through the online system, scan and publish all the necessary documents. These may be:
- A genuine passport or a travel document
- Your confirmation of acceptance of studies (CAS) reference
- Evidence that you have completed the course to be presented satisfactorily (your provider of education usually provides this)
Step 4: The Fee Payments
You will have to pay:
- Visa application charge (this is currently £822, but is subject to change)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (usually £1,035 a year)
All payments are made online during the application process.
Step 5: Waiting to Get a Decision
Once you provide your application and establish your identity, the decision will be made within 8 weeks.
This timeline can be extended or shortened based on whether additional documents or checks are required.
As long as you apply in time, you can remain in the UK with the expired Student visa as your application is processed.
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To apply for a Graduate Visa in the UK, it is essential to have sufficient funds to cover the visa application fee, as well as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). These are compulsory fees that must be paid at the time of application.
Every individual applying will require the application fee, including any of your dependents you decide to be part of your application. This implies that when you use it as a group, individuals will be charged individually. Consider this when preparing your budget for the application.
You will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge in addition to the visa fee. The IHS is payable annually and enables you to take advantage of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK whilst you are there. The application of this surcharge is for the complete period of your visa when you are applying.
The IHS and the visa application fee may change. It is advisable that you also visit the official UK government site or talk to an immigration advisor before you apply to get the most up-to-date and correct information.
Once the UK Graduate Visa expires, it cannot be extended or renewed. It is a one-off post-study work visa that lets international graduates remain in the UK briefly following the completion of their course.
- The Graduate Visa is typically awarded for 2 years.
- However, when they have acquired a PhD or other doctoral-level qualification, the visa typically has a lengthy duration, generally three years.
In case you want to extend your stay and work in the UK after the expiration date of your Graduate Visa, you will have to apply for a different type of visa. A large proportion of graduates opt to change to a Skilled Worker Visa, so long as they have obtained a job offer from a licensed employer in the UK and satisfy the eligibility criteria against that route.
You must prepare your next course of action long before your Graduate Visa expires to prevent any disruption to your tenure in the UK.
An immigration advisor can help ensure a seamless transition to an alternative visa pathway.
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With a UK Graduate Visa, you will be allowed to live in the country:
- Up to 2 years, or
- 3 years in case you have completed a PhD or other doctorate-level qualification.
Your rights in this period include:
- Working in all jobs
- Self-employment
- Being employed
- Entry and leaving the UK freely
- Volunteering
- Staying with any member of a family who is eligible to support a person
Limitations
- You are not able to obtain public funds or receive the State Pension.
- You may not perform professional sports.
Furthermore, on a Graduate Visa, studying is usually prohibited unless the subject course you would like to undertake would be ineligible to be sanctioned on a Student visa.
In case you need to continue your studies in the UK, you will have to apply under the new Student visa.
Switching a Graduate Visa to a Different UK Visa
Although the Graduate Visa is not extendable, you can possibly stay in the UK by transferring onto another visa option before your existing visa expires. The Skilled Worker Visa is one of the most prevalent ones.
To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must:
- Have a secure job position
- The job offer must be in the UK from a licensed employer
- Fulfill eligibility criteria, including the minimum salary requirement.
This visa will enable you to live and work in the UK. Within this duration, you can choose to either:
- Extend your stay, or
- Apply to remain permanently in the United Kingdom on what is known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Other Possible Visas:
- Health and Care Worker Visa
Granted to qualified medical professionals who have received a job offer (either with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care) - Partner Visa
For those in a genuine relationship (married, in a civil partnership, or long-term relationship) with a British citizen or someone with settlement in the UK
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Applying for a UK Graduate Visa can sometimes be a complex process, and unfortunately, applications can be refused for several reasons. Common causes for refusal include:
- Applying outside the UK
- Lack of appropriate immigration status at the time of application
- Failure to provide proof of identification
- Incomplete or missing supporting documentation
- Not responding to a request for further information from the Home Office.
If your application is denied, you may have the right to request an Administrative Review of the decision. This request must be submitted within the time frame stated in your refusal letter, typically 14 days.
During the review, the decision may be:
- Reversed
- Upheld (with the original reasoning)
- Upheld with alternative reasoning
If you’re planning to submit an appeal or reapply, we strongly recommend seeking guidance from a licensed immigration solicitor who can:
- Review your circumstances
- Identify what went wrong.
- Help improve your chances in a future application.
The Graduate Visa does not provide a direct route to settlement in the UK, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Once the visa expires:
- You must either leave the UK or
- Switch to another visa route, if eligible.
If your goal is to settle permanently in the UK, consider switching to one of the following long-term work visas:
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Global Talent Visa
- Innovator Founder Visa
These visa routes can eventually lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain, provided you meet the requirements for continuous lawful residence and employment.
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For UK employers, hiring Graduate Visa holders offers a valuable opportunity to access diverse, educated international talent. Key benefits include:
- No need for a sponsor licence
- No restrictions on skill level or job type
- Low administrative burden compared to other work-based visa routes
This route is beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the capacity to immediately sponsor skilled workers.
Duration:
- 2 years (most graduate visa holders)
- 3 years (if the applicant completed a PhD)
This duration allows businesses to:
- Evaluate the graduate’s performance
- Decide whether to sponsor them under a Skilled Worker Visa for a longer-term role
Employer Responsibilities:
Employers must still:
- Carry out valid right-to-work checks
- Maintain accurate records
- Keep HR/legal teams up to date with immigration law changes.
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What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
Family Visas
Partner Visas
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British Citizenship and The Right of Abode
Challenge a Refusal
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Other work visas and permits
Visas without a job offer
Work for an overseas employer
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At Immigration Solicitors UK (ISUK), our trained and experienced immigration lawyers specialize in all aspects of UK immigration law, including the Graduate Visa route.
Whether you’re:
- Unsure if you meet the eligibility requirements
- Looking for help preparing your application, or
- Need a professional to check your documents and guide you through the process.
We’re here to help you at every stage from initial consultation to final submission, ensuring your Graduate Visa application is completed accurately and efficiently.
We are proud of our high success rate with UK visa applications and offer:
- Fixed fees
- Clear, honest advice
- Dedicated UK-based immigration specialists
Call us today on +2080162308 to speak with an expert or book your consultation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the UK Graduate Visa?
You must be in the UK on a valid Student or Tier 4 visa and have completed an eligible course. Your university must notify the Home Office of your course completion before you apply.
When should I apply for the Graduate Visa?
Apply after your university confirms course completion and before your Student visa expires. Applying too early or too late can result in rejection.
How much does it cost to apply for the UK Graduate Visa?
The visa costs £822 plus an annual £1,035 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). These fees are payable per person and must be paid during the application process.
Can I extend my Graduate Visa after it expires?
No, the Graduate Visa is not extendable. To stay longer, you must switch to another visa type, like the Skilled Worker visa.
What are my rights on a UK Graduate Visa?
You can work, be self-employed, travel, and volunteer for up to 2 or 3 years. You cannot access public funds or study unless your course isn’t eligible for a Student visa.
What happens if my Graduate Visa application is refused?
You can request an Administrative Review within 14 days of refusal. It’s best to consult an immigration lawyer to improve your chances in any reapplication.
Can UK employers hire graduates without a sponsor licence?
Yes, employers can hire Graduate Visa holders without a sponsor licence. However, they must still complete right-to-work checks and monitor visa expiry dates.
