UK Graduate Visa - Your 2026 Guide

The UK Graduate Visa: Your Pathway to Work in the UK

The UK Graduate visa is one of the most accessible immigration routes for international students. It allows you to stay and work in the UK after completing your studies. Whether you’re a graduate eager to kickstart your career or an employer looking to tap into this talent pool, understanding this route is crucial—especially with upcoming changes on the horizon.

⚠️ July 2025: The UK Government confirmed that the Graduate visa will be reduced to 18 months (from 24 months), although implementation dates remain unannounced. Until then, the current rules remain in place.

1️⃣ What is the Graduate Visa?

The Graduate visa allows international students to remain in the UK for up to two years after completing a UK bachelor’s or master’s degree (three years for doctoral graduates). This visa is:

• Unsponsored: No employer sponsorship or job offer required.

• Flexible: Work in any job, at any salary or skill level.

• Non-extendable: You cannot extend the visa beyond its term.

• Non-settlement: This visa does not count toward permanent residence.

  
  

It's an ideal option for recent graduates who want to build experience or explore career options in the UK.

2️⃣ Who is Eligible?

To qualify, you must:

• Hold a valid Student visa at the time of application.

• Have completed an eligible UK degree from a Home Office-approved provider.

• Apply from within the UK, after your education provider confirms course completion.

  
  

✅ Key Requirements:

• Course Completion: The degree must match the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

• Qualification Level: UK bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, or specific professional qualifications.

• UK Study Requirement: Most or all of your study must have occurred in the UK.

  
  

📌 imminova Tip: You can apply before graduation day—as long as your institution has notified the Home Office of your completion.

3️⃣ How to Apply

All applications are submitted online through the Home Office portal. You’ll need to:

• Use the CAS number from your Student visa.

• Confirm your identity (via the UK Immigration ID Check app or at a UKVCAS centre).

• Upload required documentation.

  
  

Once submitted, your application is usually processed within 8 weeks.

4️⃣ Graduate Visa Fees (Post-July 2025)

The latest Home Office fees for Graduate Visa applicants as of July 2025 are:

Type	Fee
Graduate visa (main)	£822
Dependant visa	£822 each
Immigration Health Surcharge	£1,035/year (2 years = £2,070)

Total cost for a typical 2-year visa: £2,892 (£822 visa fee + £2,070 IHS)

📌 imminova Tip: Fees are non-refundable. Ensure your education provider has confirmed course completion before applying.

5️⃣ What Documents Are Needed?

Here’s what you’ll typically need to upload:

• Valid passport

• CAS number from Student visa

• Proof of degree completion from your university

• Biometric enrolment (or re-use if applying via the app)

• Police registration certificate (if applicable)

• Proof of dependant relationship (if applying with family)

• TB test results, if required

  
  

6️⃣ Rights & Restrictions

✅ You Can	❌ You Cannot
Work full-time in any job	Extend the visa beyond 2 years
Be self-employed or freelance	Claim public funds (benefits)
Start a business	Work as a professional sportsperson
Study (with some limitations)	Include new dependants after applying
Switch to other work visas	Use time on this visa toward settlement

📌 imminova Tip: Employers must still carry out right to work checks using your share code, even though no sponsorship is needed.

7️⃣ Dependants

Only dependants who were already in the UK under your Student visa can apply to stay under the Graduate route.

Dependants Can	Requirements
Apply at the same time as you	Must prove the family relationship
Stay for the same duration	Pay visa fee + IHS for each dependant

Cost: Same as the main applicant - £822 visa fee + £2,070 IHS for a 2-year stay.

8️⃣ Life After the Graduate Visa

Since the Graduate Visa cannot be extended, forward planning is essential. Common next steps include:

• Skilled Worker Visa: If you secure a qualifying job offer, you can switch.

• Scale-up Visa: If eligible, you can join a fast-growth business route.

• Start-up or Innovator Founder Visa: For entrepreneurial graduates.

  
  

📌 imminova Tip: We can help employers get a sponsor licence, track visa expiry dates, and support switching before a Graduate Visa ends.

9️⃣ Advice for Employers

For UK employers, the Graduate Visa offers a no-sponsorship pathway to hire global talent. You can:

• Hire immediately without visa delays.

• Assess skills before offering long-term sponsorship.

• Build a pipeline for the Skilled Worker route.

  
  

✅ Best practices:

• Track expiry dates of Graduate visas.

• Don’t assume eligibility—right to work must be checked.

• Plan early for transitions if you want to retain the hire.

  
  

🔴 Common Mistake Alert: Employers often assume that EU nationals or British citizens (especially those born in the UK) automatically have the right to work. This is not always true—check documents carefully.

🔟 Final Thoughts: Why Choose Imminova?

At Imminova, we go beyond blog posts. Our platform:

• Tracks expiry dates for all List B employees.

• Auto-detects document types and verifies eligibility.

• Allows employers to repeat right to work checks directly in our portal.

• Supports businesses transitioning Graduate Visa holders into sponsored roles.

  
  

Looking to stay compliant, reduce admin, and make smarter immigration decisions?

👉 Talk to Imminova today.