UK Post-Study Work Visa: What You Need to Know After Graduating

When you finish your degree in the UK, the UK post-study work visa, a route for international graduates to remain in the UK for work after completing their studies. Also known as the Graduate visa, it lets you stay for up to two years (or three if you completed a PhD) without needing a job offer first. This isn’t a sponsorship route—it’s your chance to explore careers, gain experience, and decide if you want to stay longer. You don’t need a sponsor to apply, but you must have just finished a qualifying course at a recognized UK institution.

What counts as a qualifying course? Most bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees from approved universities work. If you’re an international student on a Student visa, you’re eligible as long as you’ve been studying in the UK for the full length of your course. You can’t apply from outside the UK—you have to be here when you submit. The visa lets you work in almost any job, full-time or part-time, including self-employment and volunteering. You can even switch to a Skilled Worker visa later if you land a sponsored role.

The Graduate visa, a post-study work option for international graduates in the UK is different from other work visas because it doesn’t require a job offer or salary threshold. That’s why it’s so popular. But you still need to prove you’ve got enough money to support yourself—£1,023 per month for up to nine months, unless you’ve been in the UK for 12 months already. You can’t claim public funds, and you can’t work as a professional sportsperson or as a doctor in training unless you’re on a specific route.

Many students use this time to build their CV, test the UK job market, or even start a business. Some land full-time roles and switch to the Skilled Worker visa. Others travel, freelance, or take temporary jobs while figuring out their next move. It’s not a path to permanent residency by itself, but it’s the most flexible bridge you’ll find after graduation.

You’ll also need to pay the immigration health surcharge—usually £776 per year—so your NHS access stays active. And you must apply before your Student visa runs out. No extensions. No grace periods. Missing the deadline means you have to leave.

There’s no cap on how many people can get this visa, unlike other work routes. That means if you qualify, you’re in. But don’t wait until the last minute. Processing times can take weeks. Start gathering your documents early: your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), passport, proof of funds, and your university’s letter confirming you’ve completed your course.

And if you’re thinking about staying longer after your Graduate visa ends? That’s where the Skilled Worker visa, a points-based work visa requiring a job offer from a licensed employer comes in. It’s the next step for many, but it’s stricter—you need a job that meets salary and skill level requirements, and your employer must sponsor you. The Graduate visa gives you breathing room to find that opportunity.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from students who’ve walked this path. From how to find jobs that accept the Graduate visa, to what to do if your application gets delayed, to how to manage your finances while job hunting—all without the confusion of official jargon. These aren’t theoretical tips. They’re from people who’ve been in your shoes, figured out the system, and lived to tell the story.