Post Study Work Options in UK

A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK. You must be in the UK when you apply.The Graduate route is unsponsored, meaning you can use the time after you graduate to work, or look for work, at any skill level. You will have the flexibility to gain work experience, undertake an internship or work as a freelancer in the UK.

There is no minimum salary requirement, and there is no limit on how many international students can have the opportunity to stay in the UK through the Graduate route. Additionally, you are not tied to a specific job or employer and you can have multiple jobs at any skill level and can switch jobs during the course of the visa.Once you have found suitable employment in the UK, you’ll have the chance to switch to a Skilled work route and remain in the UK after your two or three years have come to an end.

Eligibility

You can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:

you’re in the UK
your current visa is a Student visa
you studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your Student visa
your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course
(You can ask your education provider if you’re not sure whether they’ve told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course.)

How long you can stay

A Graduate visa lasts for 2 years.
If you have a PHD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.
You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.

When to apply

You must apply before your Student visa expires.
You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed the course you took with your Student visa.
You do not have to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate.

How to apply

You must apply online: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/apply.
Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
Your application may take longer if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.
You can stay in the UK while you wait for a decision.

How much it costs

When you apply for a Graduate visa, you’ll need to:

pay the £880 application fee
pay the healthcare surcharge – this is usually £1,035 for each year you’ll be in the UK
If you work in public sector healthcare
If you’re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care,
- Check if you’re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa. It’s cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.
- If you get a job in public sector healthcare after you have paid the healthcare surcharge, you may be able to get a refund.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

work in most jobs
look for work
be self-employed
continue living in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible
travel abroad and return to the UK
do voluntary work which must be unpaid and for one of the following:
- a registered charity
- a voluntary organisation
- an associated fundraising body (an organisation that raises money for a charity or voluntary organisation)
- a statutory body (a government-appointed body, for example Historic England)