The Graduate visa route gives applicants permission to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing a course at a UK university. To qualify for a graduate visa, the applicant must have come to the UK on a student visa (formerly Tier 4 student visa). This route allows the government to attract and retain talent (especially in the sciences such as AI), benefit the economy by keeping good graduates in the UK and working, and fill job vacancies.
Whilst there are benefits to the Graduate visa, it is important to note that in a recent government White Paper dated 12 May 2025, it has been suggested that the Graduate visa should be reduced from two years to 18 months. This proposal has not yet gone to consultation and may not necessarily become law.
The Student Visa (formerly Tier 4)
The Student visa allows applicants to come to the UK if they are on a course (this course can be part-time or full-time).
Individuals can apply when they have: 1) been offered a place on a course by a student sponsor; 2) have enough money to support themselves and pay for the course (paying for your course for the first academic year; and 3) proving the ability to speak, read, write and understand English by passing IELTS tests.
How to Qualify and Apply for the Graduate Visa:
Requirement to be in the UK
Individuals must apply for the Graduate visa when they are on a Student visa. The application must be made in the UK upon receipt of exam grades. The university should then confirm that the applicant has completed their studies to the Home Office.
University and Course Chosen
The university chosen must be on this Register of Student sponsors list and have a track record of compliance. Check if your education provider has a track record of compliance in the "Status" column of the list. The course chosen must be a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, UK PhD or doctorate, GDL, LPC, BTPC, PGCE and PGDE.
Length of time in the UK
You need to have studied in the UK for at least 12 months if your course is longer than 12 months, or for the full length of your course if it's shorter than 12 months.
Staying in the UK: Switching from Graduate Visa to the Skilled Worker Visa
Following the applicant's stay on the Graduate visa, they might want to work and stay in the UK by switching to a Skilled Worker visa. To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must have a job from a sponsored company (on the Sponsor Licence List). The minimum salary threshold for the job is £38,700. The individual must also show that they can speak, read and write English.
The process for submitting a Skilled Worker application involves creating and applying for a Sponsor Licence if the company does not already have one and submitting a Certificate of Sponsorship online. The individual can stay in the UK for five years after submission of their Certificate of Sponsorship.