Graduate Visa Solicitors

Completing your studies can be an exciting and uncertain time, particularly when deciding whether to remain in the UK to build experience or begin a professional career.

The Graduate Visa offers a straightforward route, allowing eligible students to stay in the UK for up to two or three years without the need for employer sponsorship.

It is a flexible category, but the rules around eligibility, timing and permitted activities must be followed carefully to avoid jeopardising future immigration options.

At BHD Solicitors, our team has long-standing experience guiding graduates through this transition.

We understand how the smallest oversight can delay an application or limit your opportunities later on.

Whether you are preparing to apply, clarifying your rights under the visa or planning the next steps once it expires, we provide clear, practical and tailored advice to help you make informed decisions at each stage of the process.

Contact our Graduate Visa solicitors in London and Croydon

For more information and to arrange a consultation with one of our Graduate Visa lawyers, contact your local branch in London or Croydon.

Our Graduate Visa services in London and Croydon

Applying for a Graduate Visa

This route is designed for international students who complete their degree in the UK and who wish to remain in the UK to work, or look for work, at any skill level following successful completion of an eligible course of study at BA degree-level or above. There is no requirement for a sponsor.

The route will allow qualifying applicants who have finished their studies to remain in the UK for either 2 years following completion of their course, or 3 years if they have completed a PhD. This is not a route to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) but you may be eligible to then switch to a different visa, for example, a Skilled Worker visa.

Individuals who already have permission as a dependant of a Student who is applying on this route can also apply to stay as dependants on a Graduate visa.

UK Graduate Visa Eligibility

There are three eligibility criteria to meet under the Graduate Visa route.

Successful completion requirement

The applicant must have last been sponsored as a Student by a higher education provider with a record of compliance on the date of application.

The applicant must have successfully completed the course of study undertaken during their last grant of permission to study on the Student route.

The Student sponsor (i.e. the Higher Education Institution) must have notified the Home Office that the applicant has successfully completed their course of study by the date of the Graduate Visa application.

Graduate Visa Qualification Requirement

The applicant will meet the qualification requirement if they have successfully completed their course in the UK and been awarded one of the following:

• A bachelor’s degree.
• A postgraduate degree.
• A ‘relevant qualification’.

‘Relevant’ qualifications include specified law conversion courses, the Bar Practice Course, foundation programs for medicine and dentistry, a PGCE or PGDE, or “a professional course requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above in a profession with reserved activities that is regulated by UK law or UK public authority”.

Study in the UK requirements

The applicant must have studied in the UK for a minimum period of the course for which they were last granted permission to study on the Student route:

• 12 months or less – Full duration of the course.
• Longer than 12 months – At least 12 months.

A reminder also that the definition of Student in the immigration rules means

• A person who has, or had, permission under Appendix Student, or Appendix ST: Student of the rules in force immediately before 1 December 2020, or as a Tier 4 (General) Student under the rules in force before 5 October 2020.

So, individuals who have previously held Tier 4 (General) status would be eligible under the scheme.

Length and conditions of a Graduate Visa

As mentioned above, applicants applying on the basis of completion of a PhD will be granted 3 years’ leave to remain. Those applying on the basis of completion of other specified qualifications will be granted 2 years.

Individuals on the Graduate visa route will not have access to public funds but will, crucially, have permission to work (including self-employment and voluntary work), apart from work as a professional sportsperson.

As this is not a route to settlement, graduate visa holders will need to apply to switch into a different visa category at the end of the 2 or 3 year period.

In particular, Graduate visa holders will be able to apply to the Skilled Worker, Global Talent or Innovator routes from within the UK.

Frequently asked questions about Graduate Visas

What is a Graduate Visa?

A Graduate Visa is an immigration route that allows international students who have successfully completed an eligible UK degree to remain in the UK after their studies.

It is designed to give graduates time to gain work experience, look for skilled employment or take the next steps in their career without requiring employer sponsorship.

The visa is granted for two years in most cases, or three years for PhD graduates. It does not lead directly to settlement, but it provides a flexible period of lawful stay following the completion of a recognised course.

What rights does a Graduate Visa give you?

A Graduate Visa provides broad permission to work and remain in the UK after completing an eligible degree.

Holders can undertake full-time, part-time, temporary or self-employed work, except roles such as professional sportsperson.

You may also switch jobs freely without notifying the Home Office, pursue further study that is not sponsored, and travel in and out of the UK.

The visa does not count towards settlement and does not allow access to public funds.

However, it offers significant flexibility for graduates to gain experience and explore longer-term immigration options.

Can I work while waiting for a Graduate Visa?

If you have submitted a valid Graduate Visa application before your Student visa expires, you may continue working under your existing Student visa conditions.

This typically allows full-time work once your course is completed, provided you previously held permission to work.

If your Student visa conditions were more restrictive, those restrictions continue until a decision is made. You cannot rely on Graduate Visa conditions until the visa is formally granted.

It is important not to start roles prohibited under the Student visa rules, including professional sportsperson roles, while your application is pending.

When can I apply for a Graduate Visa?

You can apply once your university has formally confirmed to the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.

This usually happens after final results are issued, not when you finish exams.

You must be in the UK when applying and you must still hold a valid Student visa at the time of submission.

Applications made after visa expiry or before course completion cannot be considered.

The timing is therefore critical, and graduates should monitor for confirmation of their award closely to ensure the application is submitted within the permitted window.

How long does it take to get a Graduate Visa?

Most Graduate Visa applications are decided within eight weeks from the date biometrics and identity verification are completed.

Some applicants may receive a decision sooner if the application is straightforward and the evidence is easily verified.

Delays can occur if the Home Office requires additional checks or clarification. During the processing period, your existing immigration conditions continue to apply.

The decision is issued digitally, and once granted, you can access your immigration status online and begin working or studying under the Graduate Visa terms.

What documents do I need to prepare?

Graduate Visa applications are relatively straightforward. You will need a valid passport or travel document to confirm your identity, and you must prove your Student visa status.

The Home Office will usually receive course-completion confirmation directly from your university, so you do not normally need to submit your degree certificate.

You must also provide biometric information and pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.

If you apply using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you may not need to attend a biometric appointment, depending on your passport eligibility.

Can I work full-time with the Graduate Visa?

Yes. The Graduate Visa permits full-time work at any skill level. You can take permanent, temporary, casual or self-employed roles and change jobs without restriction.

There are only limited prohibitions: you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, and you cannot access public funds.

Other than these restrictions, the route provides considerable freedom for graduates to build experience, develop their career or transition into longer-term employment opportunities that may lead to a sponsored visa.

What are my options after the Graduate Visa expires?

Once a Graduate Visa ends, you cannot extend it. However, you may be able to switch to another immigration route from inside the UK.

Common options include the Skilled Worker visa, Innovator Founder visa, Health and Care Worker visa, or family-based routes where eligible.

Each category has specific graduate visa requirements relating to sponsorship, salary, business plans or family relationships. You must apply before your Graduate Visa expires to maintain lawful status in the UK, as overstaying can severely affect future applications.

Can I bring my family (partner/children) on a Graduate Visa?

You can only bring your family if they already hold permission as your dependants under your Student visa.

New dependants cannot join you on a Graduate Visa unless they were previously part of your household in the UK under the same immigration route.

Eligible dependants must apply for their own Graduate Dependant visas before their current permission expires. They will receive permission for the same duration as the main applicant and may work without restriction, except as a professional sportsperson.

Get expert advice from our Graduate Visa solicitors in London and Croydon

For more information and to arrange a consultation with one of our UK Graduate Visa solicitors, contact your local branch in London or Croydon.