Before using this page, read the Graduate visa (post-study work) information page for full guidance.
- Graduate visa at a glance
- Check your eligibility
- My visa expires before my Exam Board meets
- I've been reported as an early completer. Can I still apply?
- Will holidays outside the UK affect my eligibility?
- Can I travel home after completing my course and return to the UK to apply?
- Can my dependants stay with me on the Graduate visa?
- Applying for a Graduate visa
- What do I need for my application?
- Can I apply if I owe money to the University?
- Can I extend my Student visa while waiting for my results?
- After you receive your Graduate visa
- How long does the Graduate visa last?
- Can I extend my Graduate visa or apply for another one later?
- What work can I do on a Graduate visa?
- Can I study on a Graduate visa?
- When your Graduate visa ends
- Can I stay in the UK after my Graduate visa expires?
- Can I switch back to a Student visa?
- Other visa questions
- Are other visa routes affected by the Graduate route?
Graduate visa at a glance
- Apply from inside the UK.
- No employer sponsorship is required.
- Undergraduate and postgraduate graduates receive a Graduate visa for 2 years.
- PhD graduates receive a Graduate visa for 3 years.
- Applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027 will receive:
- 18 months for undergraduate and postgraduate graduates.
- 3 years for PhD graduates.
- The Graduate visa cannot be extended.
- Most types of work are permitted.
Check your eligibility
My visa expires before my Exam Board meets
If your visa will expire before your Exam Board meets, you may be able to ask your School to confirm that you have successfully completed your course before your award is officially confirmed.
Important: Applying for a Graduate visa before your award is locked on your student record is at your own risk. We strongly recommend waiting until your award has been confirmed.
Before deciding to apply:
- Your School must confirm that you have successfully completed your course.
- The University can then report your completion to the Home Office.
- If you are later awarded a lower qualification that is not eligible for a Graduate visa, the University must inform the Home Office.
- Your application could be refused if eligibility cannot be confirmed.
- You could lose your application fee and receive a visa refusal on your immigration record.
If you are not eligible for the Graduate visa, you may wish to explore other visa routes that allow you to work in the UK.
Contact the Student Immigration Team (advice) at SITAdvice@herts.ac.uk if you need guidance.
I've been reported as an early completer. Can I still apply?
If you complete your course more than two weeks earlier than the end date shown on your CAS, the University must report this to the Home Office and your Student visa will be shortened.
You can apply for a Graduate visa once the University has confirmed that you have been reported as completed for the Graduate route.
We recommend that you apply as soon as possible and before your Student visa is cancelled.
Important: Do not leave the UK after you have been reported as an early completer if you plan to apply for a Graduate visa. You may be refused re-entry to the UK.
Will holidays outside the UK affect my eligibility?
Usually, holidays taken during weekends and official vacation periods will not affect Graduate Visa eligibility.
To qualify for the Graduate route, you normally need to have studied in the UK for at least 12 months while holding a valid Student visa.
The Home Office does not provide clear guidance on how authorised absences outside the UK during term time are assessed. Time spent outside the UK during term time may affect your application.
Because every application is assessed individually, the University cannot guarantee how the Home Office will interpret periods spent outside the UK.
If you are concerned, you may wish to remain in the UK until the end date of your course as shown on your CAS.
Can I travel home after completing my course and return to the UK to apply?
It depends on when you complete your course.
If you complete by the end date on your CAS
You can normally travel while your Student visa remains valid.
If you complete earlier than expected
The University must report your early completion to the Home Office and your Student visa may be cancelled.
If this happens, you may not be able to leave the UK and return using that visa. Border Force may refuse re-entry.
We strongly recommend applying for your Graduate visa as soon as you become eligible and travelling only after your new visa has been granted.
Can my dependants stay with me on the Graduate visa?
Dependants who are already in the UK with you on a Student dependant visa may be able to apply under the Graduate Visa route.
New dependants cannot come to the UK to join you under this route.
Applying for a Graduate visa
What do I need for my application?
Before you apply, make sure you have:
- Your CAS number.
- Passport.
- BRP (if applicable).
- Addresses where you have lived during the last two years.
- Your landlord's contact details (if you rent privately).
- Details of any periods of two weeks or more spent outside the UK.
- Travel history for the last 10 years.
- Details of any medical treatment received in the UK.
- National Insurance number (if applicable).
- Driving licence number (if applicable).
Keep a copy of your CAS number. The University cannot provide replacement copies.
Can I apply if I owe money to the University?
No.
The University will not confirm successful completion of your course to the Home Office if you have an outstanding debt to the University, including a graduation block.
Important: If you apply while you still owe money to the University, your Graduate visa application may be refused because you will not meet the eligibility requirements.
Can I extend my Student visa while waiting for my results?
No.
You cannot receive a new CAS or Student visa extension simply to wait for your results.
Visa extensions are only available when additional time is needed to complete your studies.
After you receive your Graduate visa
How long does the Graduate visa last?
If your application is successful:
|
Qualification |
Visa length |
|
Undergraduate degree |
2 years* |
|
Postgraduate degree |
2 years* |
|
PhD |
3 years |
*Applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027 will receive 18 months for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
The Graduate Visa is granted from the date the Home Office makes its decision.
Can I extend my Graduate visa or apply for another one later?
No.
You can only receive one Graduate visa.
Once granted, it cannot be:
- Extended.
- Renewed.
- Applied for again after further eligible study.
If you leave the UK or do not use the full visa period, you cannot request additional time.
What work can I do on a Graduate visa?
The Graduate visa allows you to:
- Work full-time or part-time.
- Be self-employed.
- Undertake voluntary work.
- Work in jobs that are not related to your degree.
You do not need employer sponsorship to apply for a Graduate visa.
You cannot work as a professional sportsperson.
Can I study on a Graduate visa?
Limited study is permitted on a Graduate visa.
However, if the course would normally require Student visa sponsorship and meets the qualification requirements of the Student route, you may need to apply for a Student visa instead.
When your Graduate visa ends
Can I stay in the UK after my Graduate visa expires?
You cannot extend your Graduate visa.
However, you may be able to switch to another immigration route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you meet the relevant requirements.
Time spent on a Graduate visa does not count towards settlement (indefinite leave to remain).
Can I switch back to a Student visa?
Graduate visa holders may be able to switch to a Student visa from within the UK if there are no more than 28 days between the expiry of the Graduate visa and the start date of the new course.
Please note that some visa holders cannot switch to the Student route from within the UK.
Other visa questions
Are other visa routes affected by the Graduate route?
The Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) closed when the Graduate Route opened.
Graduate visa holders may be able to switch to the Innovator Founder route if they wish to start a business in the UK.
You must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body before applying.