A UK Graduate visa currently costs more than just the application fee. The application fee is £937, but most applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, known as the IHS, upfront as part of the online application. For many graduates, the total payable is £3,007 for a two-year visa, £2,489.50 for an 18-month visa, or £4,042 for a three-year doctoral Graduate visa.
Information in this article is current as at 25 October 2026. UK immigration fees and rules can change, so it is sensible to check the final amount shown during the official online application before paying. The official GOV.UK Graduate visa fees and IHS guidance should be treated as the primary source for the latest government figures.
If you are finishing a UK degree and planning your next step, the Graduate visa can be a useful route because it does not require a job offer or sponsorship. However, the upfront cost can be significant, especially if you have dependants. Immigration UK can help you understand your options, check whether the Graduate route is suitable, and consider whether another UK immigration route may better fit your long-term plans.
Graduate Visa UK Cost at a Glance
The total Graduate visa UK cost depends mainly on the length of permission granted. The application fee is fixed at £937, while the IHS is calculated according to the duration of the visa.
- 18-month Graduate visa: £937 application fee plus £1,552.50 IHS, giving an estimated total of £2,489.50.
- Two-year Graduate visa: £937 application fee plus £2,070 IHS, giving an estimated total of £3,007.
- Three-year doctoral Graduate visa: £937 application fee plus £3,105 IHS, giving an estimated total of £4,042.
These figures are for the main applicant only. Each eligible dependant normally submits a separate application and pays the relevant application fee and IHS separately. The application system should show the exact amount payable before you submit payment.
What Is the UK Graduate Visa?
The Graduate visa allows eligible international students to remain in the UK after successfully completing an eligible UK course. It is sometimes called the post-study work visa, although its official name is the Graduate route.
The route is unsponsored, which means you do not need an employer to sponsor you and you do not need a Certificate of Sponsorship. You can usually work, look for work, be self-employed and do voluntary work. You cannot normally work as a professional sportsperson.
To qualify, you must be in the UK, have or have last had Student or Tier 4 permission, successfully complete an eligible course, and apply before your Student visa expires. Your education provider must also have notified the Home Office that you have successfully completed the course. If you are still at the study stage and want to understand Student visa requirements first, the UK study visa guidance may be a useful starting point.
How Much Is the Graduate Visa Application Fee?
The current Graduate visa application fee is £937. This is separate from the Immigration Health Surcharge. It is not an annual fee, so you do not multiply it by the number of years granted. You pay it once for the application.
The same application fee normally applies to each dependant application. For example, if an eligible partner applies with you, they should expect to pay their own application fee as well as their own IHS. If a child also applies, that child's application is separate too.
Some older online articles may still mention the previous £880 Graduate route fee. That figure is no longer the current fee according to the official cost information. This is a useful reminder that immigration costs can change.
How Much Is the Immigration Health Surcharge for a Graduate Visa?
The IHS for the Graduate visa is generally calculated using the standard rate of £1,035 per year. The Graduate visa cost page gives the route-specific IHS amounts as £1,552.50 for 18 months, £2,070 for two years and £3,105 for three years.
The IHS gives visa holders access to the NHS broadly on the same basis as people ordinarily resident in the UK, although some NHS charges may still apply, such as prescriptions in England or certain dental services. It is not optional, and it is normally paid upfront during the immigration application process.
A common mistake is to assume that because you are switching from a Student visa, the reduced Student IHS rate will continue to apply. For the Graduate route, the official Graduate visa cost information uses the standard IHS calculation. Your previous Student visa status does not, by itself, make the Graduate visa IHS cheaper.
Graduate Visa Cost by Duration
The length of your Graduate visa matters because it directly affects the IHS. The application date and qualification type are both important.
If You Apply on or Before 31 December 2026
Eligible graduates with a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree or other non-doctoral eligible qualification normally receive two years of permission if they apply on or before 31 December 2026. The expected calculation is £937 plus £2,070 IHS, giving a total of £3,007.
You should not wait for a graduation ceremony if your provider has already reported successful completion to the Home Office and your Student visa is close to expiring. The key point is not the ceremony photograph in a gown, but whether the Home Office has been notified of successful course completion and you still have valid permission when you apply.
If You Apply on or After 1 January 2027
For eligible non-doctoral graduates applying on or after 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa is normally granted for 18 months. The expected calculation is £937 plus £1,552.50 IHS, giving a total of £2,489.50.
This means a master's graduate applying in December 2026 may receive a different duration from a similar graduate applying in January 2027. The change affects the visa length and therefore the IHS total.
If You Have a PhD or Other Doctoral Qualification
Graduates with a PhD or other doctoral qualification continue to receive three years of permission under the Graduate route. The expected calculation is £937 plus £3,105 IHS, giving a total of £4,042.
The application fee does not become higher because the qualification is doctoral. The higher total comes from paying the IHS for a longer period.
Graduate Visa Cost for Dependants
Dependants can significantly increase the total cost. An eligible partner or child normally needs to make a separate application and pay the relevant application fee and IHS. Their permission will usually end on the same date as the main Graduate visa holder's permission.
Dependant eligibility on the Graduate route is restricted. In many cases, dependants must already have held permission as Student dependants, although there are specific provisions for some children, including children born in the UK in relevant circumstances.
For a two-year Graduate visa, one main applicant and one eligible adult dependant would generally pay £3,007 each, giving a combined official visa and IHS cost of £6,014. A main applicant, partner and one child applying for a two-year period would generally need to budget for three separate sets of application fees and IHS payments. Always rely on the amount generated by the application system before payment.
Documents and Application Steps
The Graduate visa application is made online from inside the UK. You must apply before your Student visa expires. You may prove your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by attending a biometric appointment if required.
You should usually prepare the following before applying:
- A valid passport or other travel document proving your identity and nationality.
- Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number from your Student visa application.
- Evidence of your current or most recent Student permission, if requested.
- Relationship evidence for any dependant partner or child.
- Written consent from a government or international scholarship agency, if your course fees and living costs were funded in a way that requires consent.
- Certified translations for documents that are not in English or Welsh.
You do not usually need a new CAS for the Graduate visa, but you do need the CAS reference number from your Student visa application. Before applying, check with your university that it has notified the Home Office of your successful course completion.
Is the Graduate Visa Worth the Cost?
The answer depends on your plans. The Graduate route is flexible because it allows you to remain in the UK without sponsorship while you look for suitable employment or develop your career. For some graduates, that flexibility is worth the cost.
However, the Graduate route cannot be extended and it is not itself a route to settlement. If you want to stay in the UK long term, you may later need to switch into a route that can lead to settlement, such as Skilled Worker, if you meet the requirements. Our full guide to the UK Graduate visa explains the wider route in more detail.
If you already have an eligible sponsored job offer, it may be worth comparing the Graduate route with a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker route. Eligible Health and Care Worker applicants do not pay the annual IHS, so that route may be cheaper for some healthcare professionals. You can explore sponsored employment options through the UK work visa guidance.
Extra Costs to Budget For
The official Graduate visa cost does not include every possible expense connected with applying. Some applicants may also need to budget for certified translations, travel to a biometric appointment, replacement documents, or professional advice. These are not fixed government charges for the Graduate route, so the amount will depend on your circumstances.
If your case is straightforward, you may feel comfortable applying yourself. If there are complications, such as a previous refusal, a gap in permission, dependant issues, scholarship consent, or uncertainty about whether your course qualifies, getting advice before applying can help avoid expensive mistakes.
Refunds, Refusals and Future Switching
Some applicants working in qualifying public sector healthcare roles may be able to apply for an IHS refund after paying it, but this is not automatic for every healthcare worker. The rules and criteria should be checked carefully before relying on a refund.
If a Graduate visa application is refused, the refusal notice should explain the reason. Graduate route refusals may be challengeable by Administrative Review, depending on the circumstances and applicable rules. An Administrative Review is not a fresh application and does not guarantee a different outcome, so it is important to identify whether UKVI made a caseworking error.
Once granted, the Graduate visa cannot be extended. Before it expires, you should consider whether you qualify for another immigration route. Planning early matters, particularly if you need sponsorship from an employer or if your long-term aim is settlement in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Graduate visa in the UK?
The current Graduate visa application fee is £937. You must also pay the IHS, so the total is usually £2,489.50 for 18 months, £3,007 for two years, or £4,042 for a three-year doctoral Graduate visa.
How much is the IHS for a Graduate visa?
The IHS is currently £1,552.50 for an 18-month Graduate visa, £2,070 for a two-year Graduate visa and £3,105 for a three-year doctoral Graduate visa. The exact amount should be confirmed during the online application.
Do Graduate visa dependants pay separate fees?
Yes. Each eligible dependant normally submits a separate application and pays their own application fee and IHS. Dependant eligibility is restricted, so check the rules before budgeting for family applications.
Can I pay the Graduate visa fee in instalments?
You should expect to pay the application fee and IHS during the online application process. The IHS is normally paid upfront rather than monthly.
Does the Graduate visa lead to settlement?
No. The Graduate route is not itself a route to settlement and cannot be extended. You may be able to switch to another route before it expires if you meet that route's requirements.
