Graduate Visa

A graduate visa allows you to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK.
You must be present in the UK when you apply.

You do not need to have a job offer ready to apply for this visa. You can also apply to look for a job. You are allowed to work as a laborer or start your own business as a self-employed person. Voluntary work is also possible. If you choose to work as a worker, you can accept a job position at any skill level and there is no minimum salary requirement. It is also possible to change jobs or employers.

You can apply for this visa if you meet the following conditions:
• if you are in the United Kingdom
• if your visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
• You have studied in the UK for a minimum period of time on an undergraduate, postgraduate or other eligible course on your student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
• your institution (such as your university or college) has notified the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course

• If you are not sure whether they have notified the Home Office of your successful completion, you can ask your training provider.

Some information about the graduate visa

• A graduate visa lasts 2 years. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
• Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.
• If you want to stay in the UK for longer, you cannot extend your graduate visa but you can switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
• You must apply before your student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
• You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has notified the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. You do not have to wait until you graduate or receive a certificate.

• As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
• Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will usually receive a decision about your visa within 8 weeks.
You can stay in the UK while you wait for the decision.

Cost

• £822 visa fee
• healthcare surcharge – this is usually £624 for each year you will be in the UK

• If you are a doctor or nurse or work in health or adult social care, check if you are eligible to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa instead. It is cheaper to apply for this visa and you do not have to pay the annual immigration health surcharge. If you get a job in public sector healthcare after paying the health surcharge, you may be able to get a refund.

• Check our blog for our health and worker visa article.

With this visa

• you can look for a job
• you can work as a freelancer
• you can find a job and work
• you can work voluntarily
• you are not eligible for public funds
• you can’t be a sports coach
• If you are studying or researching sensitive subjects, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

If your spouse and children have joined you in the UK as ‘dependants’ on your current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they can apply to remain as dependants on your Graduate visa. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

For detailed information and to apply, please contact our team.

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