UK Graduate Route: how long can you stay and work after your degree?
If you finish a UK bachelor's or master's degree on a Student visa, the Graduate visa lets you stay and work in the UK without a job offer. If you apply on or before 31 December 2026, you get 2 years. If you apply on or after 1 January 2027, you get 18 months. PhD graduates continue to get 3 years.
Written by Ananta Deepti · Last verified 29 Sep 2026 · Sources below
What is the UK Graduate Route?
The Graduate Route (the Graduate visa) is the UK's post-study work visa. It lets you work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed and do voluntary work after you complete your course. You do not need a job offer or an employer to sponsor you. (GOV.UK: Graduate visa)
How long does the Graduate visa last in 2026 and 2027?
The length depends on the date you apply, not the date your course started or ended.
| Your qualification | Apply on or before 31 Dec 2026 | Apply on or after 1 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or master's degree | 2 years | 18 months |
| PhD or other doctoral qualification | 3 years | 3 years |
The change to 18 months was laid before Parliament on 14 October 2025 in the Statement of Changes HC 1333. It is final and comes into force on 1 January 2027. (GOV.UK: Explanatory memorandum to HC 1333)
Can I still get 2 years if I finish my course in late 2026?
Only if you can apply by 31 December 2026. You can apply only after your university has told the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. In our counselling, this is the step students most often overlook. Results for a one-year master's that ends in September can take weeks to be confirmed.
If you are finishing in 2026:
- Ask your university when it will report your completion to the Home Office.
- Keep your passport and your CAS number ready so that you can apply the same week.
- Remember that you must apply before your Student visa expires, and from inside the UK.
If your completion will only be confirmed in 2027, plan for 18 months.
Who is eligible for the UK Graduate visa?
You can apply if all of these are true (GOV.UK: Graduate visa eligibility):
- You are 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 the minimum time required on that visa. For a course of 12 months or less, that means the full course. For a longer course, it means at least 12 months of study in the UK.
- Your university has told the Home Office that you have successfully completed the course.
You cannot get a Graduate visa if you have held one before, or if you were on the Doctorate Extension Scheme. (Immigration Rules: Appendix Graduate, GR 1.4) So if you use it after a UK bachelor's degree, you will not get it again after a UK master's.
How much does the Graduate visa cost?
There are two costs: the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
| Cost | Amount | In INR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | £937 | ₹1.20 lakh |
| IHS, 2-year visa | £2,070 (£1,035 a year) | ₹2.65 lakh |
| IHS, 18-month visa | £1,552.50 | ₹1.99 lakh |
| IHS, 3-year visa (PhD) | £3,105 | ₹3.98 lakh |
| Total, 2-year visa | £3,007 | ₹3.85 lakh |
| Total, 18-month visa | £2,489.50 | ₹3.19 lakh |
| Total, 3-year visa (PhD) | £4,042 | ₹5.18 lakh |
The £937 fee has applied since 8 April 2026 and is unchanged in the Home Office fees table for 8 October 2026. (GOV.UK: Home Office immigration and nationality fees) The IHS is £1,035 a year for this visa. For part of a year of 6 months or less, you pay half the yearly amount. (GOV.UK: Immigration Health Surcharge) The payment page shows your exact amount before you pay.
INR figures use the FBIL reference rate of ₹128.12 per £1 on 22 September 2026 (FBIL reference rates). The rupee amount you pay will depend on the rate on the day.
You do not need to show funds or take an English test for this visa. (GOV.UK: Documents you'll need)
How do I apply for the Graduate visa?
- Wait for your university to confirm your completion to the Home Office.
- Apply online from inside the UK, before your Student visa expires.
- Prove your identity, either with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a UKVCAS appointment.
- Wait for the decision. You will usually get one within 8 weeks. Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until then, or your application will be withdrawn.
- If you are approved, you will get an eVisa, a digital record of your status.
(GOV.UK: Apply for a Graduate visa)
Can my spouse or children stay with me on the Graduate visa?
Only if they are already in the UK as dependants on your Student visa. A child born in the UK during your stay may also qualify. (GOV.UK: Your partner and children)
For most Indian master's students this will not apply. Since 1 January 2024, postgraduate students can bring dependants only on a PhD or other research-based degree, or as government-sponsored students. (GOV.UK: Student visa family members)
What happens when the Graduate visa ends?
You cannot extend the Graduate visa. To stay longer, you would need to switch to another visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa, and meet its rules. (GOV.UK: Extend your visa)
What this means for you
Treat the Graduate visa as a set window to find work, not as time to decide what to do next. With 18 months, the job search effectively starts during your course. We suggest Indian students choosing a UK master's for 2026 and 2027 intakes:
- If you start a one-year master's in September 2026 or later, you will finish after 31 December 2026, so plan for 18 months.
- Look at how employers in your field hire graduates, and when, before you choose a course and city.
- Keep the total cost of the visa (about ₹3.2 lakh for 18 months) in your budget from the start.
If you are still choosing between countries, our guide to study abroad destinations for Indian students compares post-study work options across the countries we support.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UK Graduate visa being reduced to 18 months?
Yes. For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, bachelor's and master's graduates get 18 months. The rule is final. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 still get 2 years.
Does the 18-month rule apply to PhD graduates?
No. PhD and other doctoral graduates continue to get 3 years.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the Graduate visa?
No. You do not need a job offer or a sponsoring employer.
Can I apply for the Graduate visa from India?
No. You must be in the UK on your Student visa when you apply.
Can I get the Graduate visa twice?
No. If you have held a Graduate visa before, you cannot apply again.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa, including the eligibility, documents, application, family and extension pages
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Graduate
- Explanatory memorandum to HC 1333, 14 October 2025
- Home Office immigration and nationality fees (tables for 8 April 2026 and 8 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: Immigration Health Surcharge
- GOV.UK: Student visa family members
- FBIL reference rates (GBP/INR, 22 Sep 2026)
Last verified: 29 Sep 2026
Updated 29 Sep 2026: rewritten for the 18-month rule from 1 January 2027; fee and health surcharge updated from £715 and £624 a year.
Planning a UK master's and unsure how the Graduate Route fits your plans? Talk to a Conduira counsellor. Request your free profile evaluation. You can also see how we support you from shortlisting to visa.
