What are the post-study work permit durations for countries like US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Ireland for a Master's/PhD?
Here are the typical post-study work permit durations for major study destinations:
- United States: Up to 12 months (Optional Practical Training/OPT) after graduation. STEM graduates can extend by 24 months (total 36 months).
- United Kingdom: 2 years for master's graduates (Graduate Route). From January 2027, this reduces to 18 months.
- Canada: Up to 3 years (Post-Graduation Work Permit/PGWP) for programs of 2 years or more; matches program length for shorter courses.
- Australia: 2 years for master's by coursework, up to 3 years for master's by research, and up to 4 years for PhD graduates. Additional time possible for regional study.
- Germany: 18 months (Job Seeker Visa) to find work related to your degree.
- Ireland: 2 years for master's graduates (Third Level Graduate Scheme/Stamp 1G); 1 year for bachelor's graduates.
Durations and policies are subject to change. For the latest details and eligibility, connect with your LeapScholar counsellor.
How long can you stay and work after an Australian master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
More Post-study work questions
- Is Germany the best first priority country for my course and career scope for a Master's?
- What are the career prospects in Singapore after completing an MPH at NUS as an Indian student?
- Which Master's programs in Europe would be most suitable for someone with a B.Com (69%) and MBA (70%), given my interest in management-focused roles and lack of extensive work experience?
- Which master's course suits a Supply Chain Management graduate planning to study in Canada?
- Which is more suitable for my son's master's education: Dubai or the USA, considering cost, location, program variety, post-study work options, and pathways to permanent residency?
- Which country is more suitable for a Computer Science master's student who prioritizes lower costs and a strong job market, Germany or Ireland?
- After completing my studies, can I stay back in Ireland and apply for permanent residency for a Master's/Bachelor's?
- Can an Indian student get a job in Germany after a master's without prior work experience, especially with good German skills?
More Australia questions
- Is a loan sanction letter from the government regulated Indian Bank accepted for a UK student visa application?
- What is the lowest undergraduate tuition fee I can expect to pay at a Canadian university for the 2026 academic year?
- How much would I pay in first-year tuition for the International MBA program at York University, Toronto?
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Why is the dMAT subject module called Battery Science and Technology in Engineering?