Applying for the Graduate Route visa is a self-contained process you complete entirely within the UK. You confirm your eligibility, submit an online application through the official Home Office portal, pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, and then wait for a decision. There is no need to leave the country to lodge your application.
The sections below walk through eligibility, where to check the rules, gathering your documents, completing the online steps, and managing the period after submission. Everything is aligned with the requirements published by the UK Home Office.
Where to Find the Official Rules
The single most authoritative source is the dedicated Graduate Route page on GOV.UK. Your university’s international student office will often produce its own summary for graduates of that institution, but every detail should be cross-checked against the current GOV.UK version. Avoid relying solely on third-party summaries or social media screenshots, because visa rules, fees and document requirements can be updated mid-cycle.
When you review the guidance, it helps to read the sections on switching from a Student visa to the Graduate Route at the same time. You must hold a valid Student visa when you apply, and you need to be physically present in the UK.
Some applicants find it useful to work with an education consultancy that understands the full timeline from course completion to visa submission. UNILINK, for example, operates physical offices in China, the UK and Australia and supports applicants globally. Even so, the final decisions should always stay in your hands, and any conclusion about eligibility or documentation should be verified word for word against GOV.UK.
Who Can Apply
The core requirements can be grouped into three conditions. First, you have successfully completed an eligible UK bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, and the course was delivered by an institution with a student sponsor licence. Second, you are in the UK on a valid Student visa at the time you apply. Third, your education provider has reported your successful course completion to the Home Office, and that record is available in the official system.
You do not need a job offer or employer sponsorship. There are no restrictions on the type of work you can do, and no minimum salary threshold. The visa is usually granted for two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates, and three years for PhD graduates. The duration runs from the date the visa is approved.
A detail that is easy to overlook is the course completion confirmation. After your results are formally released, your institution reports your degree completion to the Home Office. You must wait until that report has been made before you apply, otherwise the system cannot verify your eligibility. Do not rush to submit your application the day your marks come out. Check with your university’s international student office about the reporting timeline first.
Preparing Your Documents
The online system generates a personalised document checklist based on your circumstances, but you will typically need to have the following ready:
- A valid passport. If you renewed your passport after your most recent Student visa application, you will also need the details of your old passport.
- Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), if you were issued one previously.
- Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number. The CAS you used for your Student visa application can serve as a reference, but the system primarily relies on the completion record your institution has submitted.
- Digital copies of your qualification evidence, such as your transcript and degree award notification. If your institution has confirmed your completion electronically, you may not need to upload these separately, but it is sensible to keep them on file.
- Your UK residential address and contact details, which are mandatory fields in the online form.
All documents should be clear scans or legible digital versions. Before you submit, it is worth backing up the complete set of files, whether on your phone or with a local scanning tool.
How to Submit Your Online Application
The process can be broken into four steps.
First, go to GOV.UK and locate the Graduate Route page. Select “Apply now” to enter the application system. You will be asked to register for or log into your existing UKVI account.
Second, complete the form with your personal details, immigration history, course information and your current circumstances in the UK. The form includes questions about any previous breaches of immigration rules. Answer these carefully. If you are unsure about anything, pause and speak to a compliance adviser at your institution rather than guessing.
Third, pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. The amounts are shown on GOV.UK at the time you apply, and the system will display a clear total before you confirm payment. Keep the payment confirmation page and receipt reference safe.
Fourth, book a biometrics appointment. In most cases you will need to visit a UKVI service point to have your fingerprints and photograph taken. If you hold a valid BRP and meet certain conditions, previous biometrics may sometimes be reused, but follow the instruction the system gives you.
After you submit, you will receive a confirmation notice. Download and save the PDF. Do not travel outside the Common Travel Area—the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man—before you receive a decision, as your application could be treated as withdrawn.
What to Do After You Submit
Start by keeping your submission confirmation and document checklist together in one folder. You will need your application reference number for any follow-up queries. You can track processing times on the GOV.UK visa and immigration pages and sign up for email updates.
Under normal circumstances, processing takes up to eight weeks, though it can take longer during peak periods. There is usually no benefit to contacting UKVI repeatedly for status updates unless the published standard processing time has passed or you have an urgent reason.
While you wait, if your current visa expires you are still permitted to remain in the UK on the strength of your submission record and confirmation notice until a decision is made. This is a form of protected status.
When you receive your digital approval letter, check the personal details and the visa dates immediately. If you spot an error, contact UKVI within the timeframe specified in the decision notice to request a correction.
A Final Checklist Before You Submit
Before you click the final submit button, run through these questions:
- Is my Student visa still valid on the day I apply?
- Has my institution confirmed my course completion to the Home Office?
- Are my passport and BRP still in date, and are the scans clear?
- Do the name and date of birth in the system match my passport exactly?
- Have I received and saved confirmation of successful payment?
- Can I change my biometrics appointment time and location if needed?
Once you can answer yes to each point, you are ready to complete your submission.
Common Questions
Can I bring dependants on the Graduate Route? If your family members are already in the UK as your Student visa dependants, they can usually apply at the same time as your Graduate Route dependants. A baby born during your stay can also be added later. Check the dependant policy page on GOV.UK for the precise rules.
What can I do once I have the Graduate Route visa? You can start full-time work, become self-employed or look for a job. There are no employer restrictions. Bear in mind that time spent on this visa does not count towards indefinite leave to remain. If your goal is to settle in the UK long term, you will need to switch to a route that leads to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa, before your Graduate Route permission ends.
Do I have to be in the UK when I apply? Yes. You must submit your application from inside the UK. You cannot apply from overseas. If you travel home briefly after graduation and your Student visa is still valid, you can re-enter the UK and still apply, as long as you submit before your current visa expires.
What if my application is refused? If the reason for refusal is something you can correct, you may be able to submit a fresh application before your Student visa expires. Any refusal must be declared truthfully in future visa applications.
Can I switch to a work visa later? You can switch from the Graduate Route to a Skilled Worker visa at any time, provided you find an employer that holds a valid sponsor licence. This means you do not have to wait until your Graduate Route visa ends if a suitable opportunity comes up sooner.
Useful Information Sources
- UK Home Office and GOV.UK – the official rules, application portal and fee schedule for the Graduate Route visa.
- Study UK – the official platform for international students, offering information on post-study options and the wider policy framework.
- UCAS – the application portal for undergraduate and some postgraduate courses, which also includes reference material for international applicants.
- British Council – publishes guidance on agent ethics and student advice, helping applicants understand how education agents should operate and charge.
None of these organisations issue visas or decide application outcomes, but they provide reliable background information and a basis for cross-checking. Where any detail differs, the real-time rules on GOV.UK always take precedence.