UK Graduate Route Facts

What is the Graduate Route?

The graduate route is a post-graduate visa for international students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above to continue stay in the UK after they graduate.

Depending on your qualification, the length of stay is different:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s level graduates will able to stay for two years
• PhD graduates will be able to stay for three years

To apply this graduate route is consider as a new visa application, and must apply it inside the UK. The application will include a one time £700 visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge at the full rate of £624 per year.

The graduate route can not be extend and will not lead to settlement in the UK. But graduates will able to switch to skill worker route (formerly Tier 2 work visa) when they found a suitable job.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Must make the application within the UK.
• Have a valid Tier 4 or Student Route while you are making the application.
• Have successfully completed a degree during your current student visa.

Students affect by the COVID-19:

• If your course duration is 12 months or lesser, you should complete the whole degree inside the UK.
• If your course duration is more than 12 months, you should spend at least 12 months inside the UK before completing your degree.

Students who started their studies in 2020 – 2021:

• If started your studies in autumn 2020 must have entered the UK with permission as a Student before 21 June 2021 (updated from the previous date of 6 April 2021).
• If you started your studies in January or February 2021, you have to be in the UK by 27 September 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I apply?

Applications are open on 1 July 2021 at 9am.

How to apply?

The Graduate Route application still pending, we will update the application link when it launched.

What should I do if I got a job offer while I am on Graduate Route?

You will be able to switch to skill worker route once you found a suitable job.

What I can do and can’t do with the Graduate Route?

You can stay, work (including self-employment) or look for work in the UK.

You can’t:

• Take a full-time program that required a student visa. The program should be part-time only.
• Working as a professional sportsperson or coach.

Can my family members apply with me?

Your family members may also stay in the UK by applying for a Dependent visa. The validation of the dependent visa is the same as your Graduate Route. This is in the condition of your family member has already held a valid student dependent visa (Newborns are exempt from this condition).

Where Can I find more?

More information about the new Graduate Route can be found on the Home Office Website and UKCISA website.