What is the post-study work visa duration after completing a one-year course in the UK?
Your Graduate Route visa duration depends on your application date. Applications by 31 December 2026 receive a 2-year visa, while applications from 1 January 2027 receive only 18 months. You need no job offer, can work almost any role, and must apply within the UK before your visa expires.
Your post-study work visa length after a one-year UK course, known as the Graduate Route, depends directly on when you submit your application. If you apply on or before 31 December 2026, you receive a full 2-year visa, but applying from 1 January 2027 onward gets you only 18 months instead.
Graduate Route Visa Facts You Need
| Detail | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship | You need no job offer or employer sponsor to apply or hold this visa |
| Work flexibility | You can work in almost any job at any skill level, or search freely |
| Where to apply | You must apply from within the UK before your current student visa expires |
| Extensions | This visa cannot be extended, though you can switch to a sponsored route like the Skilled Worker visa |
Current Costs to Budget For
- Application fee: Rs. 98,700 (937 pounds).
- Immigration Health Surcharge: Rs. 1.09 lakh (1,035 pounds) per year, payable upfront for your full visa period.
- Since the surcharge is charged per year of your visa, a 2-year grant costs noticeably more upfront than an 18-month one, so budget for both fees together well before you apply.
My Advice
If your course finishes with enough runway to submit before 31 December 2026, prioritise applying early to lock in the full 2-year visa rather than risking the shorter 18-month window. Start saving for both the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge now, since you must pay the full amount upfront at the time of application.
More expert answers
Yes, you can get an 18-month post-study work visa in the UK after completing your master’s program. This Graduate visa allows you to stay in the UK to work or look for work after finishing an eligible course while on a Student visa or Tier 4 visa. You’ll need to be in the UK when you apply, and your university must report your successful completion to the Home Office. Note that the visa duration changes to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. If you plan to apply before that, the visa will be valid for 2 years. Let your LeapScholar counsellor know if you need guidance on the application process.
No, a one-year master's program does not provide a post-study work visa of just three to six months.
- UK: The Graduate Visa allows you to stay and work for two years after your master's if you apply by 31 December 2026. For applications from 1 January 2027, this reduces to 18 months.
- UAE: There is no dedicated post-study work visa. Instead, you can get a Job Seeker Visa for 60 to 120 days (2 to 4 months) to look for a job, but you cannot work during this period. To work, you must secure employer sponsorship for a work visa.
A three to six-month post-study work visa is not typical; most options are either shorter job search visas without work rights or longer work visas.
Yes, the UK Graduate Visa (post-study work visa) currently allows international students to stay in the UK for up to 2 years after completing a bachelor's or master's degree, including one-year courses.
- Eligibility: You must complete an eligible UK degree, hold a valid Student visa, and apply before your visa expires.
- Duration: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026. For applications on or after 1 January 2027, the stay will be reduced to 18 months (subject to change).
- Application: Apply online from within the UK after your course completion is confirmed.
- Cost: £937 application fee plus a healthcare surcharge of £1,035/year (subject to change).
The Graduate Visa cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, you would need to switch to another visa category, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
How long can you stay and work after a UK master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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