What is the UK Graduate Route visa?

The Graduate Route is a UK post-study work visa available to international graduates of UK universities. It allows you to stay and work (or look for work) in the UK for 2 years after completing a bachelor's or master's degree, or 3 years after completing a PhD.

Who is eligible for the UK Graduate Route?

You must have completed a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree at a UK higher education provider with a valid Tier 4/Student sponsor licence. You must have held a Student visa for the duration of your course and apply before your Student visa expires.

Can I work in any job on the Graduate Route visa?

Yes. The Graduate Route has no job or salary restrictions. You can work in any role, at any salary level, for any employer. You can also be self-employed or freelance. This makes it ideal for job searching and early-career positions.

Can the Graduate Route lead to permanent residence in the UK?

The Graduate Route itself does not count towards settlement (indefinite leave to remain). However, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from the Graduate Route, and time on a Skilled Worker visa counts towards the 5 years needed for settlement.

Is the Graduate Route under threat of being cancelled?

As of April 2026, the Graduate Route remains in operation. The UK Government commissioned a review in 2023 that recommended keeping it. However, post-study work rights have been a recurring political topic; applicants should check current UKVI guidance before committing to a course of study.

How do I switch from Graduate Route to Skilled Worker visa?

While on the Graduate Route, find a job with a licensed employer who will sponsor you on a Skilled Worker visa. The role must appear on the eligible occupations list, meet the minimum salary threshold (£38,700/year from April 2024 for most roles, or the 'going rate' for the role, whichever is higher), and the employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.

UK Graduate Route Visa: Working in the UK After Your Degree (2026)

What is the Graduate Route?

Introduced in July 2021, the Graduate Route allows international graduates of UK universities to remain in the UK to work or look for work:

2 years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates
3 years for PhD graduates

The visa has no occupation restriction, no minimum salary and no requirement to have a job offer before applying.

Eligibility

To qualify:

Completed a qualifying course (bachelor’s or above) at a UK higher education provider
The provider must have had a valid Tier 4/Student visa sponsor licence throughout your studies
Your Student visa must still be valid when you apply
You must apply from inside the UK

What you can do on Graduate Route

The Graduate Route is exceptionally flexible:

Work in any job at any salary (including minimum wage)
Be self-employed or freelance
Change jobs or employers freely
Study additional courses (though not a full-time student visa course)
Bring family dependants (if your dependants were on your Student visa)

You cannot extend the Graduate Route; you can stay for the fixed 2 or 3 year period only.

Switching to Skilled Worker

The typical Graduate Route career path:

Apply for Graduate Route immediately before Student visa expires
Use 12–24 months to gain UK work experience and find a skilled employer
Apply for Skilled Worker visa before Graduate Route expires

Skilled Worker requirements (from April 2024):

Eligible occupation (RQF Level 3+)
Minimum salary of £38,700/year (or the ‘going rate’ for the specific role)
Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer

Time on Skilled Worker counts towards the 5 years needed for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Is the Graduate Route safe?

The Graduate Route has faced scrutiny in UK immigration policy debates. The Migration Advisory Committee reviewed it in 2023 and recommended retaining it. As of April 2026, it remains available. Students considering a UK degree partly for the Graduate Route should monitor UKVI policy updates, as changes can occur between enrolment and graduation.

Sources: UK Visas and Immigration 2025, Home Office Graduate Route guidance, MAC review 2023.

UK Graduate Route Visa: Working in the UK After Your Degree (2026)