Graduate visa

It allows eligible graduates to work, look for work or be self-employed without requiring sponsorship from an employer. The route can provide valuable time to gain UK work experience and consider longer-term immigration options.

At Sterling Shore Solicitors, our UK immigration solicitors can advise you on your eligibility for the graduate visa, assist with your application and advise on your options for remaining in the UK after your graduate permission expires.

Who can apply for a graduate visa?

You may be eligible for a graduate visa if you have successfully completed an eligible course in the UK while holding student permission.

You must normally have completed the course with a higher education provider that is a licensed student sponsor and have been awarded the relevant qualification.

Your education provider must also have notified the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.

The graduate visa is not available to everyone who has studied in the UK. The type and level of course, your immigration history and the circumstances in which you studied can all affect your eligibility.

Our immigration solicitors can assess your circumstances and confirm whether you are likely to satisfy the requirements before you submit your application.

How long does a graduate visa last?

The length of permission granted under the graduate route depends on when you apply and the qualification you have completed.

Under the current rules:

• applications made on or before 31 December 2026 generally provide two years of permission;
• applications made from 1 January 2027 generally provide 18 months of permission; and
• graduates who have successfully completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification can generally receive three years of permission.

The graduate visa cannot normally be extended.

If you wish to remain in the UK after your graduate permission expires, you will generally need to qualify for another immigration route.

Our solicitors can advise you on your options and help you plan your immigration position before your graduate visa comes to an end.

What can you do on a graduate visa?

The graduate visa provides considerable flexibility because you do not normally need an employer to sponsor you.

You can generally:

• work in most jobs;
• look for employment;
• change employers;
• undertake self-employment;
• undertake voluntary work;
• work in a role that does not meet the skilled worker requirements; and
• study in certain circumstances.

There are restrictions on certain activities, including working as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

The flexibility of the graduate route can allow graduates to gain experience in the UK while deciding what they want to do next.

Graduate visa and sponsorship

One of the main advantages of the graduate visa is that you do not need a sponsored job in order to apply.

You can work for an employer without that employer holding a sponsor licence for your employment under the graduate route.

However, if you subsequently move into the skilled worker route, your employer will generally need to hold the appropriate sponsor licence and the role must meet the requirements of that route.

This can make the graduate visa an important stepping stone for international graduates who intend to build a career in the UK.

Our solicitors can advise you on the requirements for switching from the graduate route to a sponsored work route.

Graduate visa eligibility and your course

Not every course will qualify for the graduate route.

Generally, the qualification must be one of the eligible qualifications specified under the immigration rules.

Eligible qualifications can include:

• bachelor's degrees;
• master's degrees;
• PhD or other doctoral qualifications; and
• certain other specified qualifications.

There are also specific requirements concerning how long you must have studied in the UK.

If you have completed part of your course outside the UK, or have undertaken distance learning or a study-abroad programme, additional rules may apply.

Our solicitors can assess your course and study history to establish whether you satisfy the relevant requirements.

Graduate visa and dependants

In certain circumstances, your partner and children may be able to remain in the UK as your dependants.

However, the rules surrounding graduate route dependants are subject to specific requirements.

Generally, a dependant who was already your dependant under your student permission may be able to remain with you under the graduate route, provided the relevant requirements are met.

A person who was not previously your dependant under the student route will not automatically be able to join you as a new dependant under the graduate route.

If you are planning to apply with family members, it is important to obtain advice based on your individual circumstances.

Graduate visa and settlement

The graduate visa is a temporary immigration route and does not itself lead directly to indefinite leave to remain or settlement.

Time spent on the graduate route may nevertheless form part of a person's wider immigration history and can be relevant when considering other routes.

For example, a graduate may subsequently qualify for the skilled worker route if they secure suitable sponsored employment.

Other routes may also be available depending on your circumstances, including family routes, global talent or other work and immigration categories.

If your long-term objective is to settle in the UK, it is sensible to consider your options well before your graduate visa expires.

Our immigration solicitors can assess your circumstances and advise you on potential routes towards longer-term residence and settlement.

Switching from a graduate visa

The graduate route is not intended to be a permanent immigration category.

Before your permission expires, you may need to switch to another immigration route if you wish to remain in the UK.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include switching to:

• skilled worker;
• health and care worker;
• global talent;
• innovator founder;
• family routes;
• spouse or partner routes; or
• another appropriate immigration category.

Each route has its own eligibility requirements and restrictions on switching.

We can advise you on the most appropriate options and help you prepare your next application.

Graduate visa refusal

A graduate visa application can be refused if you do not meet the relevant eligibility or suitability requirements.

A refusal can be particularly concerning where your student permission is approaching expiry.

If your application has been refused, our immigration solicitors can review the decision and advise you on whether an administrative review, fresh application or another course of action may be appropriate.

Graduate visa and previous immigration issues

Previous immigration issues do not necessarily mean that you cannot qualify for a graduate visa.

However, previous refusals, overstaying, breaches of visa conditions, inaccurate information or other immigration problems may need to be considered carefully.

It is important to disclose relevant information and ensure that your application is consistent with your previous immigration history.

Our solicitors can review your immigration history and advise you on any potential issues before an application is submitted.

Complex graduate visa applications

Although the graduate route can appear straightforward, applications can become complicated where there are issues concerning your course, study history, immigration status or dependants.

For example, you may have changed courses, completed part of your studies outside the UK, had a previous visa refusal or be unsure whether your qualification meets the requirements.

You may also be approaching the expiry of your student visa and need urgent advice about your next immigration application.

Our solicitors can assess your circumstances and provide clear advice on your eligibility and available options.

Every immigration case is different, and obtaining professional advice at an early stage can help reduce the risk of avoidable immigration problems.

At Sterling Shore Solicitors, our solicitors, lawyers and barristers have extensive experience dealing with UK immigration matters.

We understand how important it can be for international graduates to remain in the UK after completing their studies and to establish their career.

Our approach is professional, reliable and efficient, with advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

We can assist with graduate visa applications, dependant applications, immigration refusals, switching to other routes and longer-term immigration planning.

Our fees are agreed with you from the outset, so you understand the costs involved before proceeding.

We also offer a free, no-obligation initial assessment to discuss your circumstances and explain how we may be able to assist.

Speak to one of our UK Immigration Specialists today.

Call us on 0203 150 2122 or complete our contact form to discuss your graduate visa application.