What is UK Graduate Visa & How to Apply for it?

Understanding the UK Graduate Visa

A post study work visa or the UK graduate visa enables you to stay in the country for up to two years after graduation. If you were pursuing your bachelors or masters in the UK and have completed it, then you can apply for the graduate visa to explore work opportunities in the country. This PSW visa UK is an unsponsored route as it does not require a company or an individual to sponsor you.

It is vital to note that you can only apply for this visa while the validity of your student visa has not expired. If you would like to study further, you can apply for an extension for your student visa. This was all about the UK graduate visa. However, it has a strict eligibility criteria. Refer to the section below to know if you qualify for the visa or not.

Also Read: Cheapest Universities in UK

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Eligibility Criteria for UK Graduate Visa

The requirements for the UK graduate visa is very simple to understand. They are explained below in pointers:

1. Firstly, you must be in the UK while applying for the visa.
2. Your current visa must be Student visa (Tier 4 General Student Visa)
3. You must have studied a UG, PG, or any other eligible degree/course.
4. Your university must have told the Home Office about the successful completion of your course.
5. From the day of your visa approval, your visa will start.
6. You will not have to prove your financial capacity or English skills again.

Remember, that you cannot extend your UK graduate visa. However, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa, if you want to stay in the UK longer.

To apply for any type of visa, it is crucial to make sure that you know the eligibility criteria of the same. Also, you must fulfill all of them to increase your chance of getting shortlisted. However if you are struggling with the same, you can refer your queries to study abroad consultants. These were the eligibility criteria to obtain a PSW in UK. To know how to apply for a graduate visa in UK, read the section below.

Also Read: SOP to Study in UK

Application Process for PSW Visa UK

After you complete your study in UK, you can apply for this Tier 2 graduate visa. The application process for UK graduate visa is as follows:

1. Collect all the paperwork and documents to apply for a graduate visa in UK.
2. You have to apply online on the official website of the UK government.
3. You will have to create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration account.
4. Upload all the required documents and paperwork carefully.
5. For the other details, you must stick to giving the most recent authentic information only.
6. If you have a partner or children, they will have to apply separately.

It can take up to 8 weeks to process your UK graduate visa. While your visa is being processed, you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until you receive a decision.

If your application gets shortlisted, you can access your eVisa and continue living in the UK. There are several other benefits of this visa! Refer to the section below to know more.

Also Read: May Intake Universities in UK

Benefits of UK Graduate Visa

The UK graduate visa is a great route to working in the UK. However, it also holds many more benefits and rights than just being able to work in the country. Here are some of those merits listed below:

1. Firstly, the UK graduate visa is unsponsored. This means that you can either work or look for work in the UK after you graduate.
2. Secondly, there is no salary requirement for the PSW visa UK. Moreover, there is also no limit on how many graduates can receive the visa.
3. You will not require an employer, company or an individual to sponsor you. This means that you can have several different jobs at various skill level.
4. Additionally, you can switch jobs during the course of this visa.
5. Once you find your preferred job opportunity in the UK, you can apply for a skilled work route and remain there after your UK graduate visa

The UK post study work visa application can cost you around 822 GBP (92,872 INR). In addition to this, you will be charged a Immigration Health Surcharge annually. It is around 776 GBP (87,675 INR), as of March, 2025.

Conclusion

To sum up, the UK graduate visa is an easy deal for those who have completed their graduation in the UK. If you wish to explore further opportunities in the UK, this visa is perfect for you. However, if you are willing to first study in the UK and choose a suitable course and college for yourself, you can use free online tools like course finder and university finder. They can assist you in discovering a plethora of options! Moreover, you can also approach us at Gradding to get help in any step of your study abroad journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques.1 How Long Can I Stay in the UK on a Post Study Work Visa?

Foreign students who have completed their UG or PG degree in the UK can apply to stay in the country for up to 2 years after their studies. PhD graduates can apply to stay in the UK for up to 3 years.

Ques.2 Can I Work in Any Job with the PSW Visa in the UK?

With the UK graduate visa, you can work in a wide range of industries. Moreover, you will have a plethora of job options and even self employment. With a UK graduate visa, you can also travel internationally and then return to the UK.

Ques.3 What Happens After 2 Years of PSW In UK?

Once the post study work visa expires, you have to return to your country. However, if you wish to stay in the UK for a longer period and work there, you can apply for Tier 2 visa. This is also called skilled work visa or general work visa.

Ques.4 What Is The Typical Processing Time For a Post Study Work Visa UK?

For the UK graduate visa, the processing time is usually around 8 week.

Ques.5 Is Sponsorship Required for the PSW Visa in UK?

No, to obtain this visa, you do not need a sponsor or an offer letter from a company.