How long can I stay and work in the UK after graduating with a master's degree, without employer sponsorship?

The date you submit your Graduate visa application, not the date you finish your course, is what decides whether you get 2 years or 18 months, and for most students those two dates land in different calendar years.

How the Graduate Route Works

Master's graduates who apply for the Graduate visa on or before 31 December 2026 receive 2 years of work rights. Those who apply on or after 1 January 2027 receive 18 months instead. No employer sponsorship is required during this period, and you can generally work in most jobs, look for work, or be self-employed.

Why Your Start Date Matters More Than You Think

If you start a typical one-year UK master's in September 2026 and finish in 2027, your actual Graduate visa application is likely to fall in 2027, meaning 18 months of unsponsored work rights rather than 2 years, even though you began your course before the change took effect. The relevant date is application submission, not enrolment or graduation.

What Happens After the Graduate Visa Ends

• No extension possible: the Graduate visa itself cannot be renewed.
• Switching to sponsored work: most graduates who want to stay longer move to the Skilled Worker visa, which requires an eligible sponsoring employer.
• Eligibility basics: you generally need to have studied the required period in the UK and be present in the UK when you apply.

This Information Is Also Available On

GOV.UK's Graduate visa overview page and the Skilled Worker visa overview page.

My Advice

Map your likely Graduate visa application date now, based on your actual course timeline, rather than assuming the 2-year rule applies just because you started before 2027. If your timeline lands close to the December 2026 cutoff, start planning early so any delay in your results or university sign-off does not accidentally push you into the shorter 18-month bracket.