How to apply for a post-study work visa in the UK

After studying abroad, many graduates are keen to live and work in the country where they received their degree.

In a cultural melting pot like the UK, where the contribution of international students is highly valued, it’s understandable that staying longer is often a priority.

In this article, we explore post-study visa options in the UK and their application processes.

The UK graduate visa

The graduate visa provides an opportunity for international students to work in the UK after graduation. It was introduced to meet the country's desire to keep talented graduates.

Who can apply?

You can apply for a UK graduate visa if you’ve recently graduated with a UK bachelor’s degree, master's degree, PhD or other eligible course. This is provided that:

• you are in the UK
• your current visa is a UK student visa
• you studied your course for at least 12 months (or the full duration of the course if it was less than 12 months long)
• your education provider has told the Home Office that you have completed your course.

How long can you stay?

In most cases, a graduate visa allows you to stay in the UK for a minimum of 2 years. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, you can stay for 3 years.

You cannot extend your graduate visa, but you may apply for a different visa when it is due to expire. We have more information about this at the end of this article.

What rules are there?

As a UK graduate visa holder, you will be able to:

• work in most jobs, including voluntary positions
• be self-employed
• look for work
• continue living in the UK with your partner and children (if they are eligible)
• travel to and from the UK.

A UK graduate visa does not allow you to:

• apply for most welfare (government) payments or the State Pension
• work as a professional sportsperson.

In certain circumstances, you may be able to study on a graduate visa. At university level, this typically only applies to courses that are ineligible for a student visa, and part-time undergraduate study. However, you are free to undertake various other forms of study, such as English language courses and recreational classes.

Be aware that every visa is unique. Visas are granted on a case-by-case basis. Yours may include other conditions depending on your circumstances.

When to apply

You must apply for your UK graduate visa:

• before your student visa expires
• after your university/college has informed the Home Office that you have completed your course.

You do not need to wait until you have graduated to apply for a UK graduate visa.

How much does it cost?

The application fee for a UK graduate visa is GBP 880. You will also need to pay a healthcare surcharge of GBP 1,035 for each year you will be in the UK.

If you get a job in the healthcare sector, check if you are qualified for the health and care worker visa. It costs less to apply and you will be exempt from the annual healthcare surcharge.

If you start working in healthcare after you have paid the surcharge, you may be eligible for a refund.

Remember, you will need to be able to support yourself financially while you are in the UK. Don’t forget to include things like rent, bills and travel costs in your budget.

You may find our article about the cost of living in the UK helpful when budgeting. 

What documents do you need?

When you apply for your UK graduate visa, you will need:

• a valid passport (or another travel document that confirms your identity and nationality) 
• your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when you applied for your student visa
• your biometric residence permit (BRP), or online proof of your status (if you have an eVisa).

If you cannot find your CAS number, speak to your education provider. They will have a record of it. You may also be asked to provide:

• proof of your relationship with your partner or children, if they are applying with you
• a letter of approval from your scholarship/sponsorship provider, if they have paid your course and living fees in the last 12 months.

Proving your identity

As part of your UK graduate visa application, you must prove your identity. Depending on where you are from and the type of passport or residence permit you have, you will do this in one of two ways.

The first is via the UK Immigration: ID Check app. In most cases, you must use this to scan your biometric residence permit. If you are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you will need to scan your passport instead.

Alternatively, you may be instructed to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre. This will be made clear when you apply.

Completing your application

You must complete your application online. Make sure you have your credit or debit card ready to pay the fees associated with your application.

After you apply

Your application will be processed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This typically takes around 8 weeks. During this period, you can remain in the UK.

After your application has been processed, you will receive an email confirming the outcome. If you were successful, this will explain how to access your visa online. If you were unsuccessful, it will explain why and what you can do next.

What other work visas are there?

There are various other UK work visas. It is possible that you may decide that one of these is better for you than a graduate visa. Or, you might switch to one after your graduate visa expires. Whatever the case, it’s always a good idea to fully understand your options.

The table below details two options that are sometimes used by international graduates.

Both visas listed above have minimum salary requirements. These can vary depending on your job, so it is important to check the full details carefully.

The UK also offers the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa to recent graduates from top universities in other countries. Holders can stay in the UK for 2 years, or 3 years if they have a PhD.

To qualify for an HPI visa, you must have graduated in the last 5 years from an eligible university. The government's list of acceptable institutions comprises ones that place highly on multiple world rankings. These are the QS World University Rankings, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Don't forget

Check the dates and conditions of your visa when you receive it. These will tell you what you can and cannot do when you are in the UK, and for how long. If you think there has been a mistake, you must contact UKVI as soon as possible for it to be addressed.

We hope you now have a clearer understanding of how to apply for a post-study visa in the UK. If so, you might like to explore further. Our guides to the top employers in the UK and the most in-demand jobs in the UK could help you take your next step.