The Graduate Visa (GV) route is now open
The Government has published Appendix Graduate in the Immigration Rules along with the Graduate Caseworker Guidance.
Before you apply, work through the University's guidance below to help you identify whether or not you qualify. You'll also find details about applying, working while holding a GV and what happens when it expires.
- Stage 1: Check your eligibility
- Stage 2: When and how to apply for a Graduate Visa
- Stage 3: After you receive your Graduate Visa
- Stage 4: What happens after your Graduate Visa expires
- Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work) FAQs page
Stage 1: Check your eligibility
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⚠️ Be sure you know the risks of applying too early!
Not all graduates are eligible to apply for a Graduate Visa, and requirements are complex and highly specific for those who qualify. It's essential to understand that applying too soon could result in a permanent visa refusal on your record, so please read this information thoroughly before you apply.
❌ No, you can not apply for a Graduate Visa if:
- You have a Chevening Scholarship
- You have previously been on a Doctorate Extension Scheme or you have already held a Graduate Visa
- You owe a debt to the University
See What to do if you aren't eligible for a Graduate Visa to learn what other options may be available to you if you do not qualify.
✅ You *may be* able to apply for a Graduate Visa:
Before you apply, go through the checklist below to ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful application.
- Do you hold a qualifying visa?
- Have you completed a qualifying course?
- Have you met the time-bound provisions (course duration / graduation date)?
- Have you only made allowable changes to your programme?
- Has all travel you've taken outside the UK been within the rules?
Do you hold a qualifying visa?
You must have a valid Student/Tier 4 visa at the point of application - you cannot apply if your visa has expired. Learn what to do if your visa will expire before the Exam Board sits.
You are also eligibile to apply if you are on a part-time Student/Tier 4 visa, or if you are a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer with Student/Tier 4 leave to remain. No other visa types will be eligible to apply.
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Have you completed a qualifying course?
Only Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctorate level degrees are fully eligible; however, if you are awarded a lower award classification, e.g. a postgraduate diploma or certificate, your programme must fall under one of the relevant qualifications listed below in order for you to apply:
- a law conversion course validated by the Joint Academic Stage Board in England and Wales; or
- the Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland; or
- the Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland; or
- a foundation programme in Medicine or Dentistry; or
- a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (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 (please note that UKVI has confirmed to the University that OSPAP falls under this definition).
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Have you met the time-bound provisions (course duration / graduation date)?
- You must have studied in the UK for a minimum period with a Student/Tier 4 visa to be eligible: If your course lasted 12 months or less, you must have spent the entire time studying in the UK on a Student/Tier 4 visa. If your course lasted longer than 12 months, you must have spent at least 12 months of study in the UK on a Student/Tier 4 visa. If you've studied overseas these time-bound criteria still apply.
- Any eligible student who graduates on or after 1st July 2021 can apply if they still have a valid Student/Tier 4 visa at the point of application. Eligibility is based on when you complete your studies, and not when you started your studies.
- You cannot qualify to apply based on a previous programme of study. You must have gained the eligible qualification during your most recent grant of Student/Tier 4 leave to remain
- If you complete studies more than 2 weeks before the end date on your CAS, your visa sponsorship will be stopped and your visa will be subject to cancellation. Learn what happens when you have been reported as an early completer.
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Have you only made allowable changes to your programme?
Your final award must be the one that was listed on the CAS you used to obtain your current Student/Tier 4 visa; however some changes are potentially allowable:
- If you've added an integral and assessed work placement or permitted study abroad programme, you should still be able to meet the qualification requirements.
- If you changed your course, you are still eligible to apply if you were allowed to transfer without applying for further permission on the Student/Tier 4 route.
- If you are a placement student who switched to the Advanced Research Route without needing to apply for further immigration permission, you are still eligible to apply for the Graduate Visa.
- If you are a placement student who switched to the one-year programme without needing to apply for further immigration permission, you are still eligible to apply for the Graduate Visa.
If you choose to switch to the one-year route, the University is required to notify UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI). Once you have completed studies and have received your award, your visa will be curtailed (shortened) as you will no longer need the additional year on your visa. You should then make plans to leave the UK or change to another immigration category (e.g. the Graduate Visa) if eligible to do so.
Unfortunately, the University cannot confirm eligibility.
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Has all travel you've taken outside the UK been within the rules?
Your eligibility may be impacted if you've travelled outside the UK during your studies or if you've left the country after completing and wish to apply on your return. Learn more in the Graduate Visa FAQs.
- Will I still be eligible if I went on holiday during my studies?
- Can I travel home for a vacation after I have completed, and return to the UK to apply?
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What you can do if you aren't eligible for a Graduate Visa
There are other types of visas that allow you to work in the UK. Please visit the UKCISA website for further details.
You may also wish to consider the option of further study in the UK. You could then apply for a Graduate Visa following the successful completion of a different eligible course.
Eligibility criteria menu | Top of page
Stage 2: When and how to apply for a Graduate Visa
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You must apply for your Graduate Visa before your current student visa expires, however, to minimise risk you should not apply until:
- You have been notified that you’ve completed and successfully passed your eligible course;
- We have ‘locked’ your final award on your student record (this takes place after the Exam Board sits);
- The University has confirmed to the Home Office via their secure portal that you have successfully passed.
⚠️ Some circumstances require you to make a more rapid decision, which can incur some risk:
If the following situations apply to you, you can learn more about your options in our FAQ. Please read through the available information first, and contact the Student Immigration Team (Advice) if you need to know more.
How to apply
Applications must be made online, from within the UK, and you must still have valid Student/Tier 4 leave at the point of application.
Application financial requirements and verifying your identity
- You will need to pay an application fee of £822*, along with the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year. Degree students will therefore need to pay £2,070 for the IHS. PhD students will need to pay £3,105 for the IHS.
- If you were financially sponsored (all your tuition fees and maintenance) for your studies by a government or an international scholarship agency, you will need your financial sponsor's consent to stay in the UK under this route.
- You are responsible for ensuring you have adequate funds to support yourself while you are looking for work as there will be no access to public funds. There is no other financial requirement for you to meet.
- You will be required to submit your biometrics as part of the application process. The fee will vary depending on when and where you submit these. In addition, all applicants will be subject to identity, criminality and security checks.
*From 9 April 2025, the visa application fee will be £880
What else you'll need for your application
See the FAQ for details of the information you'll need to gather in order to submit your application.
How long will it take to process the application?
You should get a decision within 8 weeks, but as with all visa applications, you should not make any plans to leave the UK until a decision has been made and you have received your BRP / Digital status.
Can I work full-time while my application is being decided?
Once you have submitted your Graduate Visa application, you may start working full-time (this can be a permanent full-time vacancy). However, you must still wait for the decision on your GV application if you are planning work as an entertainer, or you plan to be self-employed.
The Immigration Rules permit you to fill a permanent full-time vacancy according to Appendix Student (paragraph ST 26.6). Employers may not be aware of this rule, and your right to work share code will not explain this rule to them. You may need to explain this particular allowance to a prospective employer.
Stage 3: After you receive your Graduate Visa
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Congratulations, you've now got your visa in hand! Time to learn more about the rules around holding your Graduate Visa.
- How long is this visa valid?
- Can I apply for an extension or for another Graduate Visa?
- What type of work will I be able to do?
- Can I study on the Graduate Visa?
Stage 4: What happens after your Graduate Visa expires
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What will you do after your visa expires? Find the answers in our FAQ.
- Can I stay in the UK after my Graduate Visa ends?
- Will I be able to switch back to the Student Route from the UK at the end of my Graduate Visa?
⚠️ Important reminder
The information on this page should not be relied on to establish eligibility.
You are always advised to check Home Office guidance prior to making any application as the rules are subject to change. Please refer to the Home Office guidance: Appendix Graduate in the Immigration Rules and the Graduate Caseworker Guidance.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) also has information on their website which you may find useful. For a short time, students can access their webinar recording on eligibility, how to apply and what the Graduate Route allows applicants to do.