After completing my master's in the UK, will there be an extension of my visa to allow time for job searching?
Yes, the UK's Graduate visa is designed exactly for this, letting you stay to work or search for work at any skill level without employer sponsorship. It runs for two years if you apply before January 2027, or 18 months for applications from that date onward.
Yes, the visa you are asking about is called the Graduate visa. It exists specifically to give you time to work or search for a job after your masters, without needing an employer to sponsor you upfront.
Graduate Visa Duration and Rules
| Detail | Rule |
|---|---|
| Duration if applying before 1 January 2027 | 2 years |
| Duration if applying on or after 1 January 2027 | 18 months for masters and bachelors graduates |
| Where to apply | From inside the UK, while your Student visa is still valid |
What You Can Do on This Visa
You can work full time, take temporary or permanent jobs, be self employed, or simply keep searching, all without minimum salary thresholds or general skill restrictions, apart from the restriction on working as a professional sportsperson. Your university must first confirm to the Home Office that you completed your course.
My Advice
Apply for your Graduate visa as soon as your university reports your course completion, since it cannot be extended and you only get this option once, so do not delay past your Student visa's expiry.
Will you actually get a job after your UK master's?
Talk to a counsellor about real outcomes, salaries and which courses employers hire from.
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