UK Graduate visa

People in the UK who have successfully completed an eligible course while holding Student or Tier 4 (General) student permission.

• Apply from the UK

  You must be in the UK when you apply.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have Student permission

  Your current visa must be a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa; you must apply before it expires.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Complete an eligible course

  You must successfully complete the course taken with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student permission. Eligible courses include a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree and the other qualifications specified on the course guidance page.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Study with an eligible provider

  Your education provider must be a licensed sponsor with a ‘track record of compliance’.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet the UK study period

  You must have studied in the UK for at least 12 months if your course was longer than 12 months, or for the total length of your course if it was shorter than 12 months. The guidance sets out exceptions for certain study outside the UK because of COVID-19.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have completion reported

  Your education provider must have told the Home Office that you successfully completed your course before you apply.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Do not have a previous grant

  You must not have previously been granted permission under the Doctorate Extension Scheme or as a Graduate.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get scholarship consent if needed

  If, in the 12 months before applying, you completed a UK course funded by a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs, you must provide that Government’s or agency’s written consent.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet suitability rules

  You must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability, be in breach of immigration laws or be on immigration bail, subject to the stated exceptions for overstayers.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get 70 points

  You must be awarded all 70 points for meeting the successful course completion, qualification and study-in-the-UK requirements.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Application feegov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£937 per person
• Healthcare surcharge for an 18-month visagov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,153 once
• Healthcare surcharge for a 2-year visagov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£2,070 once
• Healthcare surcharge for a 3-year visagov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£3,105 once
• Decision timeThe published processing time is 8 weeks. It starts after you verify your identity and submit your application and documents using the app, or attend the required appointment. An application may take longer.About 8 weeks

1. Get ready

   • Check your course and provider

     Check that you completed an eligible course with a licensed sponsor that has a track record of compliance.

   • Check your UK study period

     Check that you studied in the UK for the required part of your course, taking account of any applicable COVID-19 exception.

   • Confirm your completion was reported

     Ask your education provider whether it has told the Home Office that you successfully completed your course.

   • Gather your documents

     Get your identity document and CAS reference number, plus any consent letter or certified translations your circumstances require.

     You’ll need: Valid passport or other travel document, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number, Biometric residence permit to prove Student or Tier 4 (General) student permission, Scholarship or sponsorship provider’s approval letter, if required, Certified translations of documents not in English or Welsh, if required

2. Apply

   • Apply online before your visa expires

     Apply from inside the UK after your provider has reported your successful completion and before your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.

     You’ll need: Identity document, CAS reference number

   • Pay the visa costs

     Pay the application fee and the healthcare surcharge shown when you apply.

   • Prove your identity

     Follow the application instructions to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a UKVCAS appointment to give your fingerprints and photo.

     You’ll need: Identity document, Supporting documents requested in the application

3. Visa

   • Wait for a decision in the UK

     Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before a decision, or your application will be withdrawn.

   • Access your eVisa

     If your application succeeds, follow your decision email or letter to access your eVisa through a UKVI account.

     You’ll need: Decision email or letter

It cannot be extended and is not a route to settlement, but you may be able to switch to another visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa.

• Graduate visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Graduate - Guidance - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Graduate visa: How much it costs - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• gov.uk/graduate-visa/documents-youll-need-to-applyOfficial
• gov.uk/graduate-visa/applyOfficial
• Graduate visa: The course you studied - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.