After Your Studies: How the UK Graduate Visa Works (and What's Changing in 2027)
The Graduate route lets eligible students stay in the UK for up to 2 years after completing a degree. From January 2027, the standard duration drops to 18 months. Here's what to know — and how to plan.
The Graduate visa (sometimes called the Post-Study Work visa) was reintroduced in 2021 and quickly became one of the most attractive features of UK study for international students. It lets you stay in the UK after completing your course to work — or look for work — at any skill level, with no employer sponsorship required. But the rules are shifting, and the planning window matters more than ever.
Who qualifies?
- You must hold a current valid Student visa
- You must have successfully completed a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctoral qualification
- Your education provider must have a 'track record of compliance' with the Home Office
- You apply from inside the UK, before your Student visa expires
How long can you stay?
For bachelor's and master's graduates, you get 2 years on the Graduate visa — provided you apply on or before 31 December 2026. If you apply from 1 January 2027 onwards, the standard duration drops to 18 months. PhD graduates continue to get 3 years either way.
What can you do with it?
Almost anything. Work full-time, part-time, freelance, set up a business, take internships, do voluntary work. Unlike Skilled Worker, there's no minimum salary or skill level. There's no employer sponsorship required, which means you don't need a sponsor licence — companies can hire you the same way they'd hire any UK worker.
What you can't do
- Extend the Graduate visa (it's a one-time, non-extendable route)
- Switch into it from any other visa — you need a recent Student visa
- Work as a professional sportsperson
- Access most public funds
Switching to long-term routes
Most graduates use the Graduate visa as a stepping stone to settle in the UK longer-term — typically the Skilled Worker visa once they have a sponsored job offer. The clock starts ticking the moment your Graduate visa is granted, so it pays to start looking for skill-level roles well before you submit the Graduate application.
Why the 2027 change matters now
If you're finishing your course in summer or autumn 2026, applying before 31 December 2026 still gets you 2 years. If you're finishing in early 2027, you'll only get 18 months. For students still choosing universities for the September 2026 intake, that timing decision is worth thinking through.
This article is general information. Verify the current rules at gov.uk/graduate-visa. Our team supports students through the full study-and-stay journey — get in touch for a free consultation.