UK Graduate Visa 2026: Rules, Cost and the 2027 Change
The Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK to work, or look for work, after completing an eligible course. It is unsponsored, which means you do not need a job offer or an employer to support you. One date now matters a great deal: apply on or before 31 December 2026 and you get two years; apply from 1 January 2027 and you get 18 months.
How long you get
- Bachelor's or master's graduates: 2 years if the application is submitted on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months if submitted on or after 1 January 2027.
- PhD and other doctoral graduates: 3 years, unaffected by the change.
If your course finishes in late 2026 and your university confirms completion in time, submitting before the end of the year is worth six months of extra permission. The date that counts is the date you submit the application, not the date it is decided.
Who qualifies
You must:
- Be in the UK when you apply — applications from abroad are not accepted
- Hold a current Student visa (or Tier 4 (General) visa) that has not yet expired
- Have successfully completed an eligible course: a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree, or another qualifying qualification
- Have studied with a sponsor that has a track record of compliance — check your institution's status on its university profile
- Have spent the required minimum period in the UK studying your course
You can apply as soon as your education provider notifies the Home Office that you have passed. You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony or your certificate — a common and costly misunderstanding, because your Student visa may expire in the meantime.
What it costs
The application fee is £937, and the Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per year — note that this is the standard rate, higher than the discounted £776 student rate you paid before. A two-year Graduate visa therefore costs roughly £3,007 in total.
What you can and cannot do
You can: work in almost any job at any skill level, be self-employed or freelance, look for work, volunteer, and travel in and out of the UK.
You cannot: work as a professional sportsperson, claim most public benefits, extend the Graduate visa, or count this time towards settlement (indefinite leave to remain).
Planning your next move
Because the Graduate visa cannot be extended, treat it as a fixed runway. Most people use it to find an employer who holds a sponsor licence and then switch to the Skilled Worker route, which does count towards settlement. Others switch to a family or partner route if they qualify. Starting the sponsored-job search early matters even more once the standard grant drops to 18 months in 2027.
You can also switch back into the Student route for a further course — for example moving from a master's to a PhD — which requires a new CAS from a licensed sponsor.
Dependants
Partners and children who are already in the UK as your dependants on your Student visa can usually apply to stay with you on the Graduate visa. You cannot add new dependants who are not already in the UK in that capacity.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the UK Graduate visa in 2026?
Two years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, or 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD and other doctoral graduates receive three years regardless of the application date.
How much does the Graduate visa cost?
£937 for the application plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 per year. A two-year Graduate visa costs approximately £3,007 in total.
Can I apply for the Graduate visa after my Student visa expires?
No. You must hold a valid, unexpired Student visa and be physically in the UK when you apply. Because you can apply as soon as your university confirms your course completion to the Home Office, do not wait for your graduation ceremony or certificate.
Can I extend the Graduate visa?
No, the Graduate visa cannot be extended. You can switch to another route before it expires, most commonly the Skilled Worker visa with an employer that holds a sponsor licence.
Does time on the Graduate visa count towards settlement?
No. Time spent on the Graduate visa does not count towards indefinite leave to remain. Switching to a route that does, such as Skilled Worker, starts that clock.
Related guides
Check your institution first
Only a licensed sponsor can issue the CAS your visa depends on.
Figures on this page are taken from official GOV.UK guidance and were last reviewed on 31 July 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice — always confirm details on GOV.UK or with a regulated immigration adviser before applying.