As an international student who has successfully completed an Undergraduate Degree, Master’s Degree or equivalent from a UK higher education provider, you may be eligible to live and work in the UK for two or three years after graduation on a Graduate Visa.
The graduate route provides those who have completed their higher education course at a UK institution with the opportunity to stay and work, or look for work in the UK, immediately following graduation. Latitude Law can support you with your application, maximising your chances of approval.
The graduate visa is a specific visa type for international students who have completed an eligible course with a UK higher education institution.
It is designed to enable individuals undertake work or look for work in the UK for two years (or three years for PhD graduates). It’s a flexible and unsponsored visa type, which is allowed for working at any skill level, including self-employment, and requires no minimum salary.
Graduate Immigration Visa Application Support
The primary documents needed for a graduate visa application are as follows:
In some cases, there will be additionally required documents, such as:
In order to be eligible for the graduate route, foreign nationals must have studied in the UK for a minimum of 12 months and be present in the UK when applying.
To qualify for the scheme, graduates must have successfully completed one of the educational qualifications outlined below:
Unlike other immigration routes, there is no requirement to show financial information when applying for the graduate route.
Graduates who meet the criteria for this scheme will be able to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career throughout the duration of their time in the UK.
Applying for a graduate visa is an online process through the UK Government website. You must be on a valid student visa already, and have completed an eligible course. You must also apply before your current visa expires, taking the following steps:
It’s important not to apply for a graduate visa without expert support from an immigration specialist such as Latitude Law. Failed applications can be costly, both financially and to your life, as they may result in you being forced to leave the UK after your studies finish.
We’ll support optimising your application, and making sure you’ve gathered all the relevant evidence and documentation to ensure success at the first attempt.
Specialist Advice for your Graduate Visa Application
Latitude Law is proud to be consistently recognised by globally respected legal directories for our expertise in both corporate and personal immigration. We are featured in Chambers & Partners UK 2026 & High Net Worth 2025, The Times Best 250 Law Firms in England & Wales 2025, Legal 500 2026, and Lexology 2026 - each highlighting firms that demonstrate exceptional professionalism, specialist knowledge, and success in complex immigration matters. These independent endorsements distinguish us from other law firms and act as a kitemark of our integrity, quality, and commitment to outstanding client service.
Our dedication to exceptional client care is reflected in more than 220 5‑star Google reviews, demonstrating the confidence and appreciation of those we’ve supported. From complex immigration challenges to strategic legal advice, our clients consistently highlight our clarity, expertise, and reliability. Their feedback reinforces our reputation for delivering high‑quality guidance and ensures you can feel confident that your case is in expert hands.
There is an £822 application fee to be paid when applying for this route. All applicants will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, charged at £1,035 per year of visa.
This totals between £2,070 for the two-year duration granted to the majority in this route, or £3,105 for those who have completed a PhD.
No, this is not a settlement route. Instead, the graduate route offers successful applicants the opportunity to gain flexible work experience in the UK after finishing their studies.
If you wish to continue living and working in the UK once their time as a graduate is over, they would be required to apply for an alternative immigration visa, which we can help with.
The standard processing time for a graduate visa in the UK is 8 weeks from the date of online submission. You are able to stay in the UK whilst awaiting your decision. In many cases, priority and super priority services can be paid for.
The UK welcomes highly skilled people from overseas and offers the Global Talent Visa for those endorsed in science, humanities, engineering, medicine, research, digital technology or the arts. Even if you qualify for a Global Talent Visa, previously titled the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa, it can be difficult to apply and succeed without legal support.
A Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. It is open to individuals wanting to work in the UK who have been offered an eligible job by an employer with an approved Sponsor Licence.
The Innovator Founder visa route replaced the Start-up and Innovator routes in 2023. It is essentially a hybrid of the two. It is now the only route for foreign entrepreneurs to enter the UK to establish a new business. It is also available to those who have significantly contributed to an existing business.
