Graduate Visa UK: What You Need to Know About Staying and Working After University

When you finish your degree in the UK, the graduate visa UK, a post-study work route that lets international students stay and work in the UK for up to two years after graduation. Also known as the Graduate Route, it’s the most common way for international students to turn their degree into real work experience without needing a sponsor right away. This isn’t a temporary permit—it’s a full work visa that lets you take any job, at any skill level, for up to two years (or three if you completed a PhD). You don’t need a job offer before applying, and you can switch jobs as often as you like. It’s designed for people who’ve already proven they can handle UK university life, not for employers looking to hire foreign workers.

The graduate visa UK, a post-study work route that lets international students stay and work in the UK for up to two years after graduation. Also known as the Graduate Route, it’s the most common way for international students to turn their degree into real work experience without needing a sponsor right away. This isn’t a temporary permit—it’s a full work visa that lets you take any job, at any skill level, for up to two years (or three if you completed a PhD). You don’t need a job offer before applying, and you can switch jobs as often as you like. It’s designed for people who’ve already proven they can handle UK university life, not for employers looking to hire foreign workers.

You must apply while you’re still in the UK, and you need to have completed your course at a recognized institution. The Home Office checks your attendance and academic progress through your university, so make sure you’ve finished everything on time. If you’re still waiting for your final results or haven’t submitted your dissertation, you can’t apply yet. You also can’t apply if you’ve already left the UK—this visa only works if you’re already here. Your student visa must still be valid when you apply, but you don’t need to wait until it expires.

Many students use the graduate visa UK to build their CV before moving on to a skilled worker visa. Employers often hire graduates on this route because it’s low-risk and low-cost for them. You’re not tied to one company, so you can try different roles, industries, or cities. Some use it to test if they like working in the UK before committing long-term. Others use it to save money, gain local experience, or network before applying for permanent residency. It’s not a path to settlement on its own, but it’s the most practical bridge to one.

There are no salary minimums or English language tests for the graduate visa—your degree already proves you can handle academic English. But you must show you have enough money to support yourself: £1,023 per month for up to nine months if you’ve been in the UK for at least 12 months, or £1,272 per month if you haven’t. This isn’t a big hurdle for most students who’ve already been living here, but it’s easy to forget when you’re focused on finishing your course.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from students who’ve been through this. From how to find jobs that accept the graduate visa, to managing rent and bills while job hunting, to what to do if your visa application gets delayed. You’ll see how others handled housing after uni, what to say in interviews when you’re new to the UK job market, and how to avoid common mistakes that cost people time and money. These aren’t theoretical tips—they’re from people who’ve been in your shoes, applied for the visa, worked in cafes, interned in startups, and eventually moved on to longer-term roles.