Graduate Visa — United Kingdom

The UK Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK after completing an eligible course to look for work.

You must already be in the UK on a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa and apply through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

What it allows

The Graduate visa allows you to remain in the UK after you finish your course to look for employment.

You must have successfully completed an eligible course while holding a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.

You apply from inside the UK through UKVI.

UK Border Force manages entry at the border, but UKVI decides your application.

This route gives you time to explore work options without switching immediately into another category such as:

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Global Talent Visa
• High Potential Individual Visa
• Start-up Visa
• Graduate Trainee Visa

If you plan only a short visit for tourism, business meetings, or a brief course, you need a different visa.

If you intend to marry or register a civil partnership, you must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.

Who it's for

The Graduate visa is for international students who:

• Completed an eligible UK course
• Held a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
• Are already in the UK when applying

You cannot apply from outside the UK.

This route is designed specifically for graduates transitioning from study to work.

The key eligibility factors are straightforward:

If your situation does not match these criteria, you must consider a different immigration route.

Key limitations

The Graduate visa is limited to people who completed their studies under the correct student category.

If you studied under another visa type, you do not qualify.

You must apply from within the UK.

You cannot leave the UK and apply later from abroad under this route.

This visa is not suitable if your purpose is:

• Tourism or visiting family
• A short business trip
• A brief course of study
• Getting married or registering a civil partnership (Marriage Visitor visa required)

If you want long‑term skilled employment, you may need to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa or another work route once you secure a qualifying opportunity.

You must submit your Graduate visa application online through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and receive approval before you travel.

The process requires identity verification, a completed form, and confirmation that your education provider has reported your course completion.

Online application steps

Apply through the official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.

Use the current Graduate visa form and review the official instructions before you begin.

Follow these steps in order:

1. Access the online Graduate visa application on the UKVI website.

2. Review the guidance notes for your specific eligibility category.

3. Complete all required sections of the form.

4. Prove your identity as instructed during the online process.

5. Upload supporting documents as required.

6. Submit the application online through the UKVI portal.

Your application must be approved before you travel.

UKVI processes the application and makes the decision.

If you are considering other routes such as the Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, High Potential Individual Visa, Start-up Visa, or Graduate Trainee Visa, confirm that you are selecting the correct category before submission.

Choosing the wrong route can delay your plans.

Form and filing rules

You must use the current version of the Graduate visa form available on the UKVI website.

Do not rely on outdated copies or third-party versions.

Complete every mandatory field.

Incomplete sections can lead to refusal or delay.

Key filing requirements include:

• Submit the application online through UKVI.
• Provide required supporting evidence.
• Follow the official instructions for your eligibility category.
• Ensure your education provider has confirmed your course completion to UKVI before you apply.

You must sign and submit the form as directed within the online system.

UKVI will not process unsigned or improperly submitted applications.

If you previously held another UK immigration category, such as the Skilled Worker Visa or High Potential Individual Visa, review the Graduate visa instructions carefully to ensure you meet the correct eligibility criteria before filing.

Common procedural pitfalls

The most frequent issue is applying before your education provider confirms successful course completion to UKVI.

If that confirmation has not been made, your application may fail.

Other common mistakes include:

• Starting the application without reviewing the official guidance.
• Leaving required sections incomplete.
• Uploading incorrect or missing documents.
• Selecting the wrong visa category, such as the Start-up Visa or Global Talent Visa, instead of the Graduate visa.

You must also wait for UKVI approval before travelling.

Approval after travel is not sufficient.

Check every entry before submission.

Errors in identity details, course information, or category selection can delay a decision or result in refusal.

You must pay specific UKVI fees when you apply for a UK Graduate visa, and processing times vary by category and location.

Costs can also include additional components that apply in related work routes.

Application fees

UKVI charges an £880 application fee for the Graduate visa (as of 2026-03).

You should confirm the exact Graduate visa fee on the official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website before you submit your application, as fees can change.

Other immigration services carry separate charges.

For example:

You must pay the correct fee at the time of submission.

UKVI will not process your application if you underpay, and you may need to reapply.

If you are comparing routes such as the Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, High Potential Individual Visa, Start-up Visa, or the Graduate Trainee Visa, review the specific fee listed for each route on the UKVI website.

Fees differ by visa type and, in some cases, by application location.

Estimated processing timelines

Processing times depend on visa category and where you apply. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) publishes standard service times for each route.

For example:

SU07 timelines can vary depending on the category and where you file. Always confirm the current timeline with UKVI before applying.

Routes like the Graduate visa, Global Talent Visa, High Potential Individual Visa, Start-up Visa, and Graduate Trainee Visa may have different timelines. UKVI reviews each application on its own facts, and delays happen if documents are missing or incorrect.

Apply as early as you qualify and make sure your documents meet UKVI requirements to avoid delays.

Your employer must complete right-to-work checks and keep records before you start work on a UK Graduate visa. They also need to show proof of their UK presence and keep compliance files in case UKVI requests evidence.

Employer checks and evidence

Your employer must verify your right to work before your first day. They should check your immigration status using the UKVI system and keep a dated record.

They must retain:

• Identity details
• Visa status showing permission to work
• The date the check was completed

These records should be stored securely and available if UKVI audits the business.

If you switch to another route, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, High Potential Individual Visa, Start-up Visa, or Graduate Trainee Visa, your employer must repeat the right-to-work check based on your new status. Each visa category has different work conditions, so your employer must check your role matches your immigration permission.

Failure to keep accurate records can result in compliance action by UKVI.

Providing UK residence evidence

UKVI may ask for proof that your employer operates from a genuine UK address. Your employer should keep up-to-date documents that confirm their UK presence.

Acceptable evidence includes:

• Recent utility bills showing the business name and UK address
• Bank statements issued to the business
• An official council letter addressed to the company

These documents must show the company’s name, UK address, and a recent date.

Information must match official filings and internal records. Inconsistencies can trigger UKVI checks.

If UKVI requests more information, your employer must respond within the deadline and provide clear copies of the documents.

Compliance tips

Work with an employer who keeps organised immigration records. Disorganised files can cause delays or compliance problems.

Employers should:

1. Keep a central file for all right-to-work checks.

2. Record the date each check was completed.

3. Monitor visa expiry dates and set reminders.

4. Update records if you change immigration category.

See below for how compliance duties change if you move to another visa route:

If UKVI contacts your employer about compliance, they must respond quickly and provide accurate records. Good documentation protects both you and your employer.

You can file a UK Graduate visa application yourself, but approval is not guaranteed. Seek advice if your situation involves employer coordination, visa switching, or a refusal risk that could affect future applications with UKVI.

When employer handles filing

The UK Graduate visa does not require employer sponsorship. If an employer offers to “manage” your application, clarify their role.

Some employers confuse the Graduate visa with routes like the Skilled Worker Visa or Graduate Trainee Visa, which require sponsorship and different compliance duties. You should seek professional advice if:

• Your employer suggests switching you to a sponsored route immediately
• You receive inconsistent information about eligibility
• You are asked to sign documents referencing sponsorship

A lawyer can clarify whether you should remain on the Graduate route or move to another category.

Accurate advice helps you avoid entering the wrong category or creating inconsistencies in your UKVI record.

Complex or risky situations

Seek legal advice if your immigration history is complicated. Even small mistakes can affect how UKVI views your case.

High-risk situations include:

• Previous visa refusals
• Gaps in lawful residence
• Overstays or late applications
• Plans to switch later to the Global Talent Visa, High Potential Individual Visa, or Start-up Visa

A professional can review your immigration timeline and spot any red flags before you apply.

If you intend to move to another route after your Graduate visa, strategy matters. An adviser can help you avoid steps that limit future options, especially if endorsement or sponsorship may be needed later.

Responding to problems and denials

If UKVI refuses your application, act quickly. The refusal notice explains the reason and whether you can request a review.

Seek professional advice immediately if:

• UKVI says you do not meet eligibility requirements
• You receive a refusal based on incorrect information
• You are considering a new application
• You receive a notice such as Form SU07 or another procedural letter

An adviser can assess whether the refusal involves factual error, documentation gaps, or eligibility problems. They can also help you prepare a stronger reapplication if needed.

Do not ignore deadlines or informal-looking notices. Once UKVI records a refusal, it becomes part of your immigration history and may affect future applications.

Most refusals come from problems with financial evidence or inconsistent documents. Meeting the income threshold and sending in clear, matching records helps UKVI verify your case without extra hassle.

Income and financial evidence issues

UKVI often refuses applications if your income doesn’t meet the minimum or your financial proof is incomplete.

You have to show your earnings meet the threshold. If you’re using employment income, include all necessary tax records and employer letters. Missing payslips or partial submissions usually lead to refusal.

Use this checklist before you send anything in:

• Proof your income meets the minimum requirement
• Complete tax documentation
• Employment confirmation from your employer
• Consistent figures across all documents

If you held previous visas like Skilled Worker, Graduate Trainee, High Potential Individual, Global Talent, or Start-up, your financial records need to match your current status. Gaps or inconsistencies can prompt a closer look from UKVI.

Documentation mismatches

UKVI expects your documents to line up—names, dates, and financial figures should all match. Even minor differences can slow things down or cause problems.

Common issues:

• Salary figures that don’t match across payslips and tax records
• Name formats that vary between documents
• Employment dates that don’t line up

Check the table below for consistency:

If you switch categories—say, from Skilled Worker to Graduate—make sure your paperwork shows the right immigration status. Internal codes, like Form SU07, should fit your situation when needed.

How to avoid simple rejections

Review your file as though you’re the caseworker. UKVI checks if your evidence clearly proves you meet the income requirement and that your documents are consistent.

Take these steps before you submit:

1. Confirm your income meets the minimum.

2. Gather full tax and employment evidence.

3. Cross-check figures and dates for consistency.

4. Remove any duplicate or conflicting documents.

Don’t expect UKVI to chase you for missing evidence. If you leave something out, refusal can be immediate.