Do you qualify?
- You are in the UK on a Student visa
- Your university has confirmed to the Home Office that you completed your course
- You apply before your Student visa expires
Documents you'll need
| Document | Details | Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months, with a copy of the photo page | Required |
| Application form | Completed and checked by us before submission | We prepare |
| Your CAS number from your course | Required | |
| Current visa or eVisa details | Required |
We give you a full checklist for your circumstances at your consultation.
Graduate visa changes from 1 January 2027
The Graduate visa is being shortened. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 are granted 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates). Applications made on or after 1 January 2027 are granted 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates. PhD graduates will still get 3 years.
If you have completed your course, or will soon, apply as early as you can: the date the Home Office receives your application is what counts.
Who can apply for the Graduate visa?
You can usually apply if:
- You are in the UK on a Student visa
- You have successfully completed a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, PhD or other eligible course
- Your university has reported your successful completion to the Home Office
- Your Student visa hasn't expired yet
You must apply from inside the UK. You can't apply until your university has confirmed your completion.
What you can do on a Graduate visa
You can work in almost any job, at any skill level, without needing a sponsor, and you can be self-employed. You can't extend the Graduate visa, and it doesn't lead directly to settlement. Many people use it to gain experience before switching to a Skilled Worker visa.
Graduate visa costs
The application fee is £937, and you also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year of the visa. Fees are set by the Home Office and can change.
Graduate visa help in Manchester
We're based at 61 Mosley Street in Manchester city centre and help clients across Greater Manchester, including Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Stockport. We also work with clients anywhere in the UK and overseas by phone, video call and email.
How to apply
You apply online from inside the UK before your current permission ends, once your university has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course. You’ll need your passport or identity document and your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference. You don’t need a job offer or a sponsor, and there’s no minimum salary.
We check that your course qualifies, that the timing works, and that your application is complete before it’s submitted.
How we help
- Check your eligibility and confirm the right route at your consultation
- Give you a personalised document checklist
- Prepare and complete your application forms
- Review all evidence against the current rules before submission
- Keep you updated until you have a decision
Fees and timescales
Our fee is agreed before we start. See our fees. Government fees are paid separately, and are listed on GOV.UK.
Common questions
Do I need a job offer?
No. The Graduate visa does not need a sponsor or job offer. Many people later switch to a Skilled Worker visa.
When should I apply for my Graduate visa?
As soon as your university has confirmed your successful completion, and before your Student visa expires. Apply by 31 December 2026 to get 2 years instead of 18 months.
Can I switch from a Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, if you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor that meets the requirements. Recent graduates may qualify for lower new-entrant salary thresholds.