The UK Graduate visa is a temporary post-study immigration route that allows eligible international students to stay in the UK after successfully completing an eligible course. It is often called the PSW visa, short for Post-Study Work, but the official name is the Graduate visa or Graduate route.
For students applying in 2026, timing matters. The Government has announced a planned change affecting the length of Graduate permission for most non-doctoral applicants from 1 January 2027. At the time of writing, most successful non-doctoral applicants who apply on or before 31 December 2026 are expected to receive two years of permission. From 1 January 2027, most non-doctoral Graduate visa grants may be reduced to 18 months if the change is in force as announced. PhD and other doctoral graduates are expected to continue receiving three years.
The route is popular because it does not require employer sponsorship, a job offer or a minimum salary at the application stage. It gives graduates breathing space to work, look for work, gain UK experience or plan their next immigration step. If you are unsure how the Graduate route fits your longer-term plans, Immigration UK can help you understand your options before your Student visa expires.
What Is the UK Graduate Visa?
The Graduate visa is an unsponsored UK immigration route for international students who have completed an eligible UK qualification while holding Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student permission. It is designed to let graduates remain in the UK for a limited period after their studies.
Although many people still search for a PSW visa, there is no separate visa by that name under the current rules. PSW is simply the informal name people use because the route allows post-study work. The official route is the Graduate visa, and the rules are found in Appendix Graduate of the Immigration Rules.
You must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires. You cannot apply from overseas, and you should not wait until after your immigration permission has ended. If your current study permission is close to expiry, it is sensible to check your status, course completion and documents promptly.
Who Can Apply for a UK Graduate Visa?
To qualify, you must meet the Graduate route requirements at the date of application. The route uses a 70-point structure, but in practical terms those points relate to successful course completion, the type of qualification and study in the UK.
- You must be in the UK when you apply.
- You must hold current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student permission.
- You must have successfully completed an eligible course.
- Your education provider must have told the Home Office that you successfully completed the course.
- You must have studied in the UK for the required period.
- You must apply before your Student permission expires.
- You must not previously have been granted Graduate route permission or permission under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
- You must meet the relevant validity and suitability requirements.
The education provider point is important. A university email confirming your marks may be helpful, but the Home Office relies on the provider's notification. If your university has not yet reported successful completion, applying too early can cause problems.
Which Courses Qualify?
Common eligible qualifications include UK bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, PhDs and other doctoral qualifications. Some other qualifications may also qualify, including PGCE, PGDE, specified legal qualifications and certain professional courses regulated by UK law or a UK public authority.
The course must normally have been sponsored by a higher education provider with a track record of compliance. In simple terms, not every course delivered in the UK automatically qualifies. The provider, course level and your Student visa sponsorship history all matter.
The UK study requirement also matters. If your course lasted 12 months or less, you must normally have studied the full course in the UK. If your course lasted more than 12 months, you must normally have studied in the UK for at least 12 months. Historical COVID-19 distance-learning concessions existed for specific periods, but they should not be treated as a general current exception.
If you are still at the study stage and want to understand Student visa requirements before reaching the Graduate route, Immigration UK provides Student visa guidance that may help you plan ahead.
Do You Need to Attend Graduation Before Applying?
No. You do not necessarily need to attend your graduation ceremony or have your printed degree certificate before applying. What matters is that your education provider has informed the Home Office that you successfully completed the relevant course.
This is a common source of confusion. Graduation ceremonies can take place months after course completion, and many students are worried that they must wait. You can apply once the Home Office has received the required completion notification and you meet the other rules. If in doubt, contact your university's international student support or visa compliance team before submitting the application.
How Long Does the Graduate Visa Last in 2026?
For applications made on or before 31 December 2026, most successful applicants receive two years of Graduate permission if their qualification is not a PhD or other doctoral qualification. Doctoral graduates receive three years.
For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the Government has announced that the position will change for most non-doctoral graduates. If implemented and in force as announced, they would receive 18 months rather than two years. Doctoral graduates are expected to continue receiving three years. The application date is therefore crucial for students finishing in late 2026.
Your permission usually starts from the date the application is decided, not from the date of your graduation ceremony. As UK immigration rules and fees can change, you should always check the official GOV.UK Graduate visa overview before applying.
What Can You Do on a Graduate Visa?
The Graduate visa gives broad work rights. You can work in most jobs, work full-time or part-time, look for work, be self-employed and undertake permitted voluntary work. You do not need your employer to sponsor you under the Graduate route.
There are still restrictions. You cannot usually access most public funds, and you cannot work as a professional sportsperson. Study is also restricted where the course would normally qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If your next plan is another sponsored course, you may need to consider Student permission instead.
The route is also not a shortcut around professional regulation. For example, if your job requires registration with a professional body, the Graduate visa does not remove that requirement. Immigration permission and professional licensing are separate issues, rather like having a driving licence and still needing the right car insurance.
How Much Does a Graduate Visa Cost?
You should always verify the current Graduate visa application fee before applying. At the time of writing, the listed application fee is £937. Applicants also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, usually upfront, based on the length of permission granted.
The surcharge figures listed for the Graduate route at the time of writing are £1,552.50 for an 18-month visa, £2,070 for a two-year visa and £3,105 for a three-year visa. This means the total amount depends on whether you receive 18 months, two years or three years of permission. Some public sector healthcare workers may be able to claim an Immigration Health Surcharge refund in certain circumstances, but this is not automatic and should be checked carefully.
Fees and surcharge amounts can change. The figure generated during the online application is the amount you will be expected to pay, so do not rely on an old screenshot or social media post.
What Documents Do You Need?
The exact document list depends on your circumstances, but most applicants should expect to provide identity and immigration information. You will normally need a valid passport or other identity document and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number from your Student visa application.
You may also need evidence relating to your current Student status, your biometric information, your relationship if dependants are applying, and a written consent letter if your studies were funded by a government or international scholarship sponsor. The online application will generate a document list, and you should follow that list carefully rather than relying on a generic checklist.
How Do You Apply?
The Graduate visa application is made online from inside the UK. You must apply before your Student permission expires, and you should not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while the application is pending, as this can affect your application.
- Confirm that your course has been successfully completed.
- Check that your provider has notified the Home Office.
- Make sure your Student visa has not expired.
- Complete the online Graduate visa application.
- Prove your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend an appointment if required.
- Upload the requested documents and pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Wait for a decision, which is usually made within eight weeks after identity and document requirements have been completed.
If your application is validly submitted before your Student visa expires, you can usually remain in the UK while waiting for the Home Office decision. Keep evidence of submission and avoid unnecessary travel until your application is decided.
Can Your Partner and Children Apply?
Dependants are more limited under the Graduate route than many applicants expect. A partner or child can generally apply as your Graduate dependant only if they already held dependant permission under your Student route, subject to the rules and limited exceptions.
A spouse or child overseas does not usually become eligible simply because you have moved onto the Graduate visa. Children born in the UK during relevant Student or Graduate permission may fall within specific rules. Dependants who qualify will normally receive permission ending on the same date as the main applicant.
Does the Graduate Visa Lead to Settlement?
The Graduate visa does not lead directly to settlement and cannot be extended. It also does not count towards the standard five-year settlement period under work routes such as Skilled Worker. However, time on the route may count towards ten-year long residence, depending on the rules in force when an indefinite leave to remain application is made.
Many graduates use the route as a bridge into sponsored employment. If you secure an eligible job with an approved sponsor and meet the relevant requirements, you may be able to switch into a Skilled Worker route before your Graduate visa expires. Immigration UK can advise on UK work visa options where your next step involves employment sponsorship or another work route.
For a broader explanation of sponsored work permission, you may also find this guide to what a Skilled Worker visa is in the UK useful when comparing your options.
Common Reasons for Problems or Refusal
Graduate visa refusals often happen because the applicant applied too late, applied from outside the UK, did not complete an eligible course, or applied before the provider had notified the Home Office. Other issues can include insufficient UK study, previous Graduate route permission, missing identity steps, unpaid fees or failure to provide scholarship sponsor consent where required.
If an application is refused, Administrative Review may be available depending on the decision. This is not a fresh application and it is not a chance to rewrite the whole case, so it is important to understand exactly what the Home Office says went wrong before deciding what to do next.
Final Thoughts for 2026 Applicants
The Graduate visa remains a valuable option for international students who want time in the UK after study without needing immediate sponsorship. The key is to apply from inside the UK, before your Student permission expires, after your provider has reported successful completion.
For 2026 applicants, the biggest practical point is the announced 31 December 2026 cut-off for most non-doctoral applicants. Applying by that date can mean two years rather than 18 months if the change comes into force as announced and all requirements are met. A little planning now can prevent a great deal of immigration admin later, which is always a welcome result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UK Graduate visa the same as the PSW visa?
PSW is an informal name for post-study work permission. The official UK immigration route is called the Graduate visa or Graduate route.
How long is the Graduate visa in 2026?
Most non-doctoral applicants who apply on or before 31 December 2026 receive two years. The Government has announced that applications from 1 January 2027 will usually receive 18 months if the change is in force as planned. PhD and other doctoral graduates receive three years.
Do I need a job offer for a Graduate visa?
No. The Graduate visa is unsponsored, so you do not need a job offer, employer sponsor or minimum salary to apply.
Can I apply before my graduation ceremony?
Yes, if your education provider has notified the Home Office that you successfully completed the course and you meet the other requirements. You do not normally need to wait for the ceremony itself.
Can I extend a Graduate visa?
No. The Graduate visa cannot be extended, so you must switch to another eligible route or leave the UK before it expires.
