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Posted Sept. 29, 2025
Graduate visa update
The Graduate visa is a two-year work permit for masters students – or three-year work permit for PhD students – that allows international students to stay on and work in the UK without company sponsorship.
The Graduate visa is a great way for international students to continue their life journey in the UK once they have finished their masters degree or PhD at a UK HEI – however there have been some recent changes – and there are some rumoured future changes to it.
In this blog, we are going to look at what the current situation is for international students in the UK – and how this might change in the future.
What is a Graduate visa?
A Graduate visa gives international students permission to stay in the UK for a defined period of time, after successfully completing their postgraduate course in the UK.
The UK government has confirmed that the Graduate visa is going to remain in place, offering international students this flexible post-study work visa.
Eligibility requirements for a Graduate visa
- Students must be in the UK to apply for a Graduate visa.
- Current visa needs to be a Student visa or Tier 4 student visa.
- Must have studied a bachelors degree or masters degree.
- Student;s UK HEI must have told the Home Office that you have successfully completed the course.
Please note, if you are not eligible to apply for a Graduate visa, you may be eligible to apply for another type of UK visa – check the UK government website for more details.
How long can a PG student stay in the UK with a Graduate visa?
Currently, the Graduate visa lasts for two years after the successful completion of a masters degree, and three years after the successful completion of a PhD or other doctoral qualification.
The term of the Graduate visa starts on the day the application is approved.
What are the proposed changes to the Graduate visa?
The UK government is proposing a reduction from two years to 18 months for masters and undergraduate students to stay on in the UK after the completion of their course. However, any changes will have to be reflected in the UK immigration rules, so it is thought that the earliest these changes will apply is for international students starting their courses from January 2026 onwards.
It is thought that PhD and doctoral students will remain eligible for a three-year Graduate visa, this is pending formal confirmation from the UK Home Office.
International students are welcome in the UK
Despite any proposed or confirmed changes, the UK remains a welcome, stable and reliable choice for international students to choose.
The UK’s Minister of Skills, Jacqui Smith, reaffirms this saying, “This government will always welcome international students where they meet the requirements to study in this country. International students come from around the world, and benefit UK higher education, and our society as a whole.”
Graduate visa costs
The current application fee for a Graduate visa is £880. In addition to this applicants will need to pay a healthcare surcharge, which is usually £1,035 per year for each year the graduate remains in the UK on the Graduate visa.
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