Successfully completing your degree in the UK is a major achievement, and the Graduate visa is your golden opportunity to launch your career. This post-study work visa allows you to stay in the UK for a significant period after your studies to work, look for work, or gain valuable experience in your chosen field. It offers unparalleled flexibility, as you do not need a job offer or a sponsoring employer to apply.

The application process is more straightforward than many other routes, but it has strict eligibility rules and a critical application window that cannot be missed. Our team of specialist immigration advisors provides a comprehensive service for Graduate visa applications, ensuring your application is submitted correctly and on time, allowing for a seamless transition from student to professional life in the UK.

Are You Eligible for the Graduate Visa? The Core Requirements

To qualify for a Graduate visa, you must meet all of the following conditions without exception:

You must be in the UK: You can only apply for this visa from inside the UK.
You must have a valid Student Visa: Your current visa must be a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
You must have successfully completed an eligible course: This typically means a UK Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or another qualifying course.
Your University must notify the Home Office: Your education provider must formally tell the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.

You do not need to wait until your official graduation ceremony to apply. You can apply as soon as your university has sent this successful completion notification to the Home Office.

How Long Can You Stay? Visa Duration Explained

The length of your Graduate visa depends on the level of your qualification.

For Bachelor’s and Master’s Graduates: The visa lasts for 2 years.
- Important Future Change: For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, this will be reduced to 18 months.
For PhD / Doctoral Graduates: The visa lasts for 3 years.

Your visa starts from the day your application is approved. It is important to note that the Graduate visa cannot be extended. It is a one-time opportunity. Once it expires, you must switch to another visa category (like the Skilled Worker visa) or leave the UK.

The Application Process: Timing is Everything

When to Apply: This is the most critical rule. You must apply before your current Student visa expires. There is no flexibility on this point. Missing this deadline means losing your chance to apply.
How to Apply: You must apply online from within the UK. The process involves completing the form, paying the fees, and verifying your identity.
Decision Timeline: After submitting your application and proving your identity, you can usually expect a decision within 8 weeks. You are permitted to stay in the UK while you await the decision.

Understanding the Costs: Application Fees and Healthcare Surcharge

When applying for your Graduate visa, you will need to pay two main fees:

The Application Fee: The standard fee for a Graduate visa is £880.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): You must also pay the IHS, which is £1,035 for each year of your visa’s duration. For a 2-year visa, this will be £2,070.

The Freedom and Flexibility of a Graduate Visa

The Graduate visa is highly sought-after because of the incredible freedom it offers compared to other work visas.

With a Graduate visa, you CAN:

Work in most jobs: You can work for almost any employer, in any role, at any skill level.
Look for work: You can use the time to search for the perfect graduate role without the pressure of needing sponsorship.
Be self-employed: You can start your own business or work as a freelancer.
Travel abroad and return to the UK.
Do voluntary work.
Live in the UK with your eligible partner and children if they were previously your dependants on your Student visa.

You CANNOT:

Claim most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension.
Work as a professional sportsperson.

Why Expert Guidance for Your Graduate Visa Application is a Smart Choice

While the Graduate visa is less complex than a Skilled Worker visa, the “all or nothing” nature of the application window means there is no room for error. A mistake in timing or a misunderstanding of the eligibility can mean missing out on this incredible post-study opportunity entirely.

Our expert immigration advisors will:

Liaise with your university to confirm when they have notified the Home Office, ensuring you apply at the optimal time.
Manage the entire online application process to ensure it is accurate and submitted well before your Student visa expires.
Provide a clear breakdown of all costs and requirements.
Advise on your next steps, helping you plan how to transition from the Graduate visa to a long-term work visa like the Skilled Worker route.

Graduate Visa Eligibility: A Detailed Guide to Qualifying Courses

The UK Graduate visa is a fantastic opportunity, but its availability is strictly tied to the specific course you studied and the institution you attended. To be eligible, you must have successfully completed a qualifying course with a Home Office-approved education provider. Simply finishing a course is not enough; it must meet a precise set of criteria.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the course eligibility requirements. Our team of specialist immigration advisors offers a comprehensive eligibility assessment, verifying that your course, your university, and your period of study in the UK all meet the strict criteria, ensuring you are fully eligible before you invest in the application.

The Three Pillars of Course Eligibility

For your course to make you eligible for a Graduate visa, it must satisfy three key conditions regarding your education provider, the type of qualification, and the duration of your study in the UK.

1. Your Education Provider’s Status

This is a simple but crucial first check. The university or college where you studied must be a licensed student sponsor that holds a ‘track record of compliance’ with the Home Office.

How to check: You can verify your institution’s status on the official Home Office register of licensed sponsors. It must be listed with the status: ‘Student Sponsor – Track Record’. An institution without this status will not be eligible to offer courses that lead to a Graduate visa.

2. The Type of Course You Studied

The Graduate visa is designed for those who have completed a degree-level or specific professional qualification. The most common eligible courses are:

A UK Bachelor’s degree
A UK Master’s degree
A UK PhD or doctorate

In addition to these, a number of specific professional qualifications also make you eligible. These include:

An approved law conversion course.
The Legal Practice Course (LPC), Solicitors Course, or Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.
The Bar Practice Course or Bar Course.
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

In some other specific cases, completing a course that is required to practice in a UK-regulated profession may also be eligible. Your university’s international student advisory team can usually confirm if your specific course qualifies.

3. The Duration of Your Study in the UK

You must have spent a minimum amount of time physically studying your course in the UK while on your Student visa.

If your course is 12 months or longer: You must have studied in the UK for at least 12 months.
If your course is shorter than 12 months: You must have studied in the UK for the full duration of the course.

“Studying in the UK” means being present in the country when required by your university, for example, for lectures, seminars, or tutorials. Time spent outside the UK during scheduled holidays (like Christmas or summer breaks) does not break your period of study.

Special COVID-19 Provisions: The Home Office made specific concessions for students who were forced to study online from overseas due to the pandemic. If your studies between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2022 were affected, different rules may apply to you, and time spent studying outside the UK during this period can often be counted. Our advisors can provide a detailed assessment if you were impacted by this.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Course Eligibility

Q: I changed my course halfway through my degree. Can I still apply?
A: Yes. As long as your university permitted you to change courses without needing a new Student visa application, your eligibility will be based on the successful completion of the final course you switched to.

Q: I was a Student Union Sabbatical Officer. Am I eligible?
A: Yes. If your most recent Student visa was to serve as a Sabbatical Officer, you can apply for the Graduate visa, provided you successfully completed an eligible degree-level course in the UK immediately before you started your Sabbatical Officer visa.

Q: My university is not listed as having a ‘Track Record’. What can I do?
A: Unfortunately, if your sponsoring institution does not have the required ‘track record of compliance’ status, you will not be eligible to apply for the Graduate visa.

Confirm Your Eligibility with Expert Advice

Don’t leave your post-study work plans to chance. A simple misunderstanding of the course requirements can lead to a costly and disappointing refusal. Our expert immigration advisors provide a comprehensive eligibility check as part of our service.

We verify your university’s sponsor status.
We confirm that your specific qualification is on the eligible list.
We assess your study duration, including any time affected by COVID-19, to ensure you meet the minimum requirement.

UK Graduate Visa Costs: A Clear Guide to Fees & the Healthcare Surcharge

Applying for the UK Graduate visa is an exciting step towards launching your career, and understanding the full financial commitment is a crucial part of your planning. The total cost is made up of two mandatory, non-refundable payments: the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Both fees must be paid in full at the time you submit your online application.

This guide provides a clear and detailed breakdown of all the costs involved. Our team of specialist immigration advisors offers complete transparency on fees from the very start, ensuring you can budget effectively for this important investment in your future.

The Two Core Costs of a Graduate Visa Application

When you apply for your Graduate visa, you will need to be prepared to pay the following two fees.

1. The Visa Application Fee

This is the standard, fixed fee charged by the UK Home Office to process your application.

Application Fee: £880

This fee is the same for all Graduate visa applicants, regardless of the length of your visa (2 or 3 years). It must be paid for each person applying, so if you are applying with an eligible dependant partner, they will also need to pay the £880 fee.

2. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The IHS is a mandatory payment that grants you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) for the entire duration of your visa. You are required to pay the full surcharge for your visa’s total length upfront when you apply.

Annual Cost: The IHS is currently charged at £1,035 per year.

The total amount you pay will depend on the length of the visa you are eligible for.

Total IHS Payment Breakdown:

Your Qualification	Visa Duration	Total IHS Cost
PhD or other Doctorate	3 years	£3,105
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree	2 years	£2,070
(For applications from 1 Jan 2027)	18 months	£1,552.50 (Calculated as 1.5 x £1,035)

Calculating Your Total Application Cost: An Example

To understand the full investment, you simply add the two fees together.

For a Master’s graduate applying for a 2-year visa:
- Application Fee: £880
- IHS Payment: £2,070
- Total Cost: £2,950
For a PhD graduate applying for a 3-year visa:
- Application Fee: £880
- IHS Payment: £3,105
- Total Cost: £3,985

A Note for Healthcare Professionals: Potential IHS Refunds

The Graduate visa offers complete flexibility to work in any sector. If, after your visa is granted, you secure a job in the UK’s public healthcare sector (for example, for the NHS), you may be able to claim a refund on the IHS you have paid. This is part of the government’s scheme to support healthcare workers.

Alternatively, if you have a job offer from the NHS before your Student visa expires, it may be more cost-effective to apply directly for the Health and Care Worker visa, which is cheaper and exempt from the IHS entirely. Our advisors can help you weigh the pros and cons of each route based on your specific circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Graduate Visa Costs

Q: Are there any other hidden fees?
A: The two fees listed (application fee and IHS) are the only mandatory government charges. Unlike other visa routes, there is no financial maintenance requirement for the Graduate visa, meaning you do not need to show a specific amount of savings in your bank account.

Q: Are the fees refundable if my application is refused?
A: The visa application fee is not refundable if your application is refused. However, you will automatically receive a full refund for the Immigration Health Surcharge payment.

Q: Can I pay in instalments?
A: No. The full payment for both the application fee and the IHS must be made by credit or debit card at the point you submit your online application.

Plan Your Next Step with Financial Clarity

The Graduate visa is a significant but worthwhile investment in your career. Our expert service ensures you understand all the costs from the beginning.

We provide a clear, upfront breakdown of all fees.
We manage the online payment process as part of our service.
We advise on alternative, potentially more cost-effective visa routes if you already have a job offer in a qualifying sector.

UK Graduate Visa: Your Complete Document Checklist for a Flawless Application

While the Graduate visa is one of the more straightforward UK immigration routes, a successful application still depends on providing the correct documents in the right format. The Home Office has a precise list of required evidence, and a simple mistake, such as not being able to find a key reference number, can delay or jeopardise your application at a critical time.

This guide provides a clear and comprehensive checklist of every document and piece of information you will need. To ensure a completely stress-free process, our team of specialist immigration advisors offers a meticulous Document Checking Service. We verify that you have everything you need before you apply, guaranteeing your application is complete, accurate, and ready for a successful outcome.

Essential Documents for Every Graduate Visa Applicant

These are the core documents and information that you absolutely must have ready before you start your online application.

1. Your Valid Passport or Travel Document:

You must have your current, valid passport that confirms your identity and nationality. This is the primary document used to link your application to you.

2. Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa:

You need to prove your current immigration status as a student. You will do this by providing the details from either:
- Your physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card.
- Your eVisa, by generating a ‘share code’ through the online service to give the Home Office access to your digital immigration status.

3. Your Original CAS Reference Number:

This is a crucial and often overlooked piece of information. You must provide the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number that was used for your most recent Student or Tier 4 visa application – the one that covered the course you have just completed.
Where can you find your CAS? This reference number was sent to you by your university or college when you were accepted onto your course. It is usually found in your offer letter or a separate CAS statement email.
What if you can’t find it? If you cannot locate your CAS number, you should contact your university’s student visa advisory or international office immediately. They will be able to retrieve it for you. You cannot complete your application without it.

Additional Documents You Might Need in Specific Circumstances

Depending on your personal situation, you may also be required to provide the following evidence.

Proof of Relationship for Dependant Family Members:
- If your partner and/or children are applying with you to extend their stay as your dependants, you must provide official documents to prove your relationship. This will typically be your marriage or civil partnership certificate for your partner, and your children’s birth certificates.
Consent from Your Financial Sponsor (if applicable):
- This is a very important requirement if your studies were recently sponsored. If an official financial sponsor (such as a government or international scholarship body) paid for both your course fees and your living costs within the last 12 months, you must provide a formal letter from them. This letter must give their unconditional consent for you to remain in or return to the UK on a Graduate visa. An application submitted without this consent will be refused.

A Note on Document Formatting

Translations: It is a strict Home Office rule that any document you provide that is not originally in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a full, certified translation. This translation must be prepared by a professional translator and include their credentials and a statement confirming its accuracy.

Why a Professional Document Check is Your Best Investment

The Graduate visa application window is tight, and you only get one chance to apply. A simple documentary error can lead to a refusal, meaning you lose this valuable opportunity to work in the UK. Our expert Document Checking Service provides complete peace of mind.

We ensure you have the correct CAS number and all your personal details are accurate.
We review your dependant’s documents to ensure your family’s applications are also flawless.
We provide expert guidance on obtaining sponsor consent, ensuring the letter meets the Home Office’s specific requirements.
We give you the confidence that your application is complete and correct, ready for a swift and positive decision.

Applying for the UK Graduate Visa: Your Step-by-Step Online Application Guide

The final step in securing your post-study work rights in the UK is to successfully navigate the online Graduate visa application. The entire process, from completing the form to verifying your identity, is handled digitally from within the UK. While this is designed for convenience, it involves several crucial stages where accuracy and adherence to the rules are essential for a positive outcome.

Our team of specialist immigration advisors provides an expert, end-to-end service for Graduate visa applications. We guide you through every step of the online journey, ensuring your application is submitted correctly, on time, and without the stress of navigating the system alone, setting you up for a successful transition to your post-study career.

The Application Process: From Starting Your Form to a Final Decision

The journey to securing your Graduate visa can be broken down into clear, manageable steps.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents and Information

Before you begin the online form, it is vital to have all your key information and documents ready. This includes your passport, your current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa details, and, crucially, the CAS reference number from your most recent Student visa. Having these prepared in advance will make the application process much smoother.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form

You must complete the official application form on the GOV.UK website. This form will ask for your personal details, information about the course you have just completed, and your immigration history.

Convenience and Flexibility: You do not have to complete the form in one go. The online system is designed to let you save your progress and complete it later. This allows you to double-check your information and ensure everything is accurate before you submit.
Expert Review: As part of our comprehensive service, we conduct a full, meticulous review of your completed form before it is submitted. This crucial step catches any potential errors or omissions that could cause delays or jeopardise your application.

Step 3: Prove Your Identity

This is a mandatory part of the process where you officially verify your identity with the UK Home Office. The method you will use is determined by your nationality and the type of passport you hold. The online system will automatically tell you which route you must follow.

Route 1: The ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ App (The Digital Route): This is the most common and modern route for Graduate visa applicants. If you are eligible, you will be prompted to use this secure smartphone app to scan your biometric passport and your face. The main advantage is that it is a fully digital process, and you will not need to attend an in-person appointment.
Route 2: The UKVCAS Service Point Appointment (The In-Person Route): If you are not eligible to use the app, you will need to book an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre. At this appointment, you will have your fingerprints and a photograph taken (your biometric information).

Step 4: Wait for Your Decision

After you have submitted your online form, paid the fees, and verified your identity, your application is under consideration by a Home Office caseworker.

Standard Decision Time: You can typically expect to receive a decision on your application within 8 weeks.
Potential Delays: You will be contacted if your application is complex and may take longer to process. This can happen if your supporting documents need extra verification or due to your personal circumstances.

Crucial Warning: Once you have submitted your application, you must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until you receive a decision. If you do, your application will be automatically withdrawn, and you will lose your application fees.

Your Application is Successful: Receiving Your eVisa

If your application is approved, you will be notified by email. This decision letter is a vital document.

You Will Receive an eVisa: Your new immigration status will be a fully digital eVisa, which is a secure online record. You will no longer receive a physical BRP card.
Accessing Your Status: The decision email will explain exactly how to access your eVisa. This will involve creating a secure UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account, which you can then use to view and share proof of your right to work and live in the UK.

How Our Experts Make Your Application Seamless

The Graduate visa application has a strict, unforgiving deadline. Our specialist service removes any risk of missing out due to administrative errors or confusion with the online system.

We manage the entire online process, ensuring every question is answered accurately.
We provide clear instructions for using the ID Check app or booking your UKVCAS appointment.
We offer support and guidance throughout the 8-week waiting period.
We ensure your transition from a Student to a Graduate visa is smooth, timely, and successful.

Graduate Visa Dependant Applications: A Guide for Your Partner & Children

The UK Graduate visa offers a fantastic opportunity not just for you, but also for your family to continue their life in the UK with you. If your partner and children are already in the UK as your dependants on your Student visa, they can apply to extend their stay alongside you on your Graduate visa. However, the rules are strict and specific: you generally cannot bring new dependants to the UK on this route.

The application process for dependants is separate from your own and requires careful coordination. Our team of specialist immigration advisors provides a comprehensive service for the whole family. We manage the main Graduate visa application and all dependant applications in parallel, ensuring they are correctly linked and meticulously prepared to keep your family together in the UK.

The Golden Rule: Who is Eligible to Apply as a Dependant?

The eligibility for dependants on the Graduate route is very clear. A partner or child can only apply if they are already in the UK as a dependant on your current Student or Tier 4 visa.

You cannot bring new dependants: If your partner or child is living outside the UK, they cannot apply to join you for the first time on a Graduate visa. They must have been part of your family unit in the UK during your studies.
The exception for children born in the UK: A significant exception exists for children who were born in the UK while you were here on your Student visa. These children are eligible to apply as your dependants, even though they have not previously held a visa.

Proving Your Relationship

For your family’s applications to be successful, you must continue to prove that your relationship is genuine and subsisting.

For Your Partner

You must prove that you are still in a genuine relationship. This means showing that you are either:

Married or in a civil partnership.
Unmarried partners who have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.

You must be prepared to provide evidence of your ongoing relationship, such as documents showing you continue to live at the same address.

For Your Child

The child must still be your dependant. This means they must:

Live with you (unless away at boarding school or university).
Not be married or in a civil partnership.

For children over 18, they can only apply if they were previously granted a dependant visa when they were under 18 and have held it continuously.

The Application Process for Your Family

Your partner and each child must submit their own individual online application. They cannot be included on your form.

Separate Applications, Linked Together: Each family member must complete their own online application and pay the required fees. It is crucial that their applications are linked to yours. They will need your Unique Application Number (UAN), which you receive when you submit your own application.
Identity Verification: Just like you, each dependant will need to verify their identity. They will either use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app or attend an appointment at a UKVCAS service point to provide their biometric information.
Decision Timeline: The processing time for dependants is usually the same as for the main applicant, which is around 8 weeks.
Visa Duration: If their applications are successful, their visas will be granted with the exact same expiry date as your Graduate visa.

Crucial Warning: Once their applications are submitted, your family members must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until they receive a decision. Doing so will automatically withdraw their application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Graduate Visa Dependants

Q: My partner and I got married while I was a student in the UK. Can they apply as my dependant?
A: No, not unless they were already in the UK as your dependant on your Student visa before you got married. The Graduate visa does not allow you to add a new partner as a dependant, even if your relationship has become more formal.

Q: We had a baby in the UK during my Master’s degree. Can they stay with us?
A: Yes. A child born in the UK while you are on a valid Student visa is a key exception and is eligible to apply as your dependant on the Graduate visa. You will need to provide their full UK birth certificate.

Q: Do my dependants need to show any money in the bank?
A: No. Just like the main applicant, dependants on the Graduate route are not required to meet a financial maintenance requirement.

Keep Your Family Together with Expert Legal Support

Coordinating multiple visa applications at a critical time can be stressful. Our experienced advisors manage the entire process for your whole family.

We ensure all eligibility requirements are met for both you and your dependants.
We manage and link all online applications to ensure they are processed as a single family unit.
We provide a seamless and stress-free service, giving you peace of mind that your family’s future in the UK is secure.

Your post-study opportunity is too valuable to risk. Contact our expert Graduate visa team today for a comprehensive consultation and apply with complete confidence.

About the Author:
Farzad Ghods is an international lawyer specialising in UK immigration law. He is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Immigration Advisors Authority (IAA) in the United Kingdom, and is also a member of the Iran Bar Association. He brings over fourteen years of professional legal experience to his practice.

UK Graduate Visa: Your Complete Expert Guide to Post-Study Work in the United Kingdom