Graduate Visa — work freedom, switching options, and a clean, on-time application
Stay in the UK for 2 years (or 3 years if you completed a PhD) to work, gain experience, or start a business. We confirm eligibility, time your application, and prepare a decision-ready file.
Graduate Visa — work freedom, switching options, and a clean, on-time application
Stay in the UK for 2 years (or 3 years if you completed a PhD) to work, gain experience, or start a business. We confirm eligibility, time your application, and prepare a decision-ready file.
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At-a-glance
Stay in the UK after successfully completing an eligible UK degree under a Student/Tier 4 visa. Apply once your education provider has reported completion to the Home Office. This route offers flexible work rights but cannot be extended; plan an early switch (e.g., Skilled Worker).
Eligibility & route
Be in the UK with a valid Student/Tier 4 visa at application.
Provider has reported successful course completion to the Home Office.
Completed a UK Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD with required in-UK study.
Length: 2 years (or 3 years for PhD/Doctorate).
Dependants: only if previously your Student-route dependants.
Evidence & process
Passport/ID and BRP (if issued); Student sponsor/CAS details.
Provider must have notified completion (keep transcript/letter).
Apply online, pay fee + IHS, verify identity (app or UKVCAS).
Decision times: typically weeks; availability of priority can vary.
Work in most jobs; no public funds; no professional sportsperson.
We time filing against expiry, prepare clean evidence, and plan your switch (Skilled Worker/Scale-up).
Eligibility
Be in the UK with a valid Student/Tier 4 visa when applying. Your education provider has reported successful course completion to the Home Office. Completed an eligible UK Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD with required in-UK study. No suitability issues (e.g., breaches) that would make the application invalid/refusable.
Work rights
Can: Work in most jobs, be self-employed, and change employers freely. Can: Volunteer or travel without restriction. Can’t: Access public funds or work as a professional sportsperson. Duration: 2 years (3 years if PhD/Doctorate) — cannot extend.
Costs & documents
Home Office application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) per year. Passport/ID, BRP (if issued), and Student sponsor details. Evidence that your education provider has reported completion.
After your Graduate visa
Switch to Skilled Worker, Scale-up, or Global Talent. Time counts toward 10-year long residence (not ILR directly). We align job offer, salary, and timing to prepare your next route.
How we help
From eligibility checks to a decision — we prepare a clean, decision-ready application and a plan for your next route (e.g., Skilled Worker) so you don’t lose momentum.
1-) Eligibility & timing
- Confirm your course is eligible and completion has been reported.
- Check Student/Tier 4 permission and application window.
- Flag any risks and deadlines early.
2-) Document set
- Passport/ID, BRP (if issued), sponsor/CAS details.
- Completion confirmation (plus transcript/letter for reference).
- Dependants’ relationship evidence (if applicable).
3-) Application & IHS
- Complete online forms precisely for main applicant & dependants.
- Pay fees and Immigration Health Surcharge securely.
- Upload evidence in a clean, indexed structure.
4-) Identity & biometrics
- Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app where eligible, or UKVCAS appointment.
- Guidance on photos, scans and attendance.
- We monitor confirmations and follow up if needed.
5-) Decision & status
- Typical decisions in weeks; we track progress and respond to queries.
- Post-decision checks (digital status/BRC where issued).
- Employer right-to-work guidance on request.
6-) Next-step strategy
- Plan switch to Skilled Worker/Scale-up/Global Talent before expiry.
- Salary/role alignment and sponsor readiness.
- Long-residence timelines and travel planning.
Documents checklist
We’ll tailor this list to your situation. Keep originals handy and provide clear scans (front/back where applicable).
Optional / case-specific
- TB certificate (only if specifically requested).
- Any legal name change documents.
- Evidence for future switching planning (job offer/salary draft).
Identity & immigration
- Passport/Travel document (valid).
- BRP (if issued) or digital status details.
- Previous visas/immigration history (if relevant).
Education / completion
- Provider must have reported completion to the Home Office.
- Transcript/letter of completion (for reference when needed).
- CAS/sponsor details from your Student/Tier 4 route.
Contact & residence
- UK address and contact details.
- Travel history/absences (if requested).
- Police registration (if applicable/legacy).
Dependants (if applicable)
- Partner: marriage/civil partnership certificate or durable relationship evidence.
- Children: birth certificates and proof of responsibility/residence.
- Proof they were your Student-route dependants most recently.
Application & fees
- Payment cards for application fee + IHS.
- Identity verification: UK Immigration ID Check app or UKVCAS.
- Photo/scan quality meets guidance (we’ll validate).
Common pitfalls & how we prevent them
We time filing carefully, align evidence, and avoid errors that cause refusals or invalid applications.
Completion not reported yet
- Applying before the provider has reported completion can invalidate the application.
- We prevent: confirm reporting on the record; obtain confirmation emails/portal notes.
Late filing / status gap
- Missing the window after course completion or near Student visa expiry.
- We prevent: track deadlines; set file-ready dates; escalate if results are delayed.
Ineligible study pattern
- Remote/overseas study or insufficient in-UK study time causing ineligibility.
- We prevent: audit course record; check permitted time abroad and qualifying periods.
Dependants not eligible
- Partner/children trying to join when they weren’t Student-route dependants.
- We prevent: verify last grants; evidence of relationship/continuous residence.
Travel during a pending application
- Leaving the UK after ID checks can be treated as withdrawing the application.
- We prevent: travel check; advise safe windows; contingency if urgent travel is required.
Future switch left too late
- No plan for Skilled Worker/Scale-up/Global Talent before the Graduate visa expires.
- We prevent: map job offer, salary and timing; align with sponsor/licence readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about the Graduate (Post-Study Work) Visa route.
It doesn’t lead directly to ILR, but time can count towards the 10-year long residence route. Many applicants later switch to Skilled Worker, Scale-up, or Global Talent.
Ready to stay and work in the UK after graduation?
We’ll confirm your eligibility, prepare your Graduate visa, and plan your switch to the next route — keeping your status secure and your career moving.