Graduate Route Visa UK: 2 Years, or 18 Months from 1 January 2027

What Is the Graduate Route?

The Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK after successfully completing an eligible course on a Student visa, and work or look for work at almost any level without a job offer or sponsor. You cannot extend it, but you can switch to another visa, such as Skilled Worker, before it ends. GOV.UK

How Long You Get: the 1 January 2027 Change

What decides your length is the date you submit the Graduate visa application, not when your course started or when you graduated. A Nepali student who starts a one-year master’s in September 2026 or January 2027 will finish after 1 January 2027, so plan on 18 months.

Who Is Eligible?

• You are in the UK on a Student visa when you apply.
• You studied a UK bachelor’s, master’s, PhD or other eligible course for the required length of time.
• Your university has told the Home Office you successfully completed the course.
• You apply before your Student visa expires.

Your partner and children can apply to stay with you if they are already in the UK as your dependants.

What You Can and Cannot Do

You can work in most jobs, be self-employed, do voluntary work and travel in and out of the UK. You cannot get most public funds, work as a professional sportsperson, or extend the Graduate visa itself.

Cost

The application fee is £937, and you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year of the visa. For an 18-month visa, check the exact surcharge with the official calculator when you apply.

After the Graduate Route: Skilled Worker and Settlement

Most graduates who want to stay longer switch to a Skilled Worker visa with a licensed employer. The general salary threshold is £41,700 or the job’s going rate if higher; new entrants, including recent Graduate visa holders, can qualify at a lower rate (at least £33,400) for a limited period. See the switching guide.