Which conditions must I meet to qualify for the UK Graduate Route post-study work visa?
To get the UK Graduate Route visa, you typically must have completed a UK bachelor's, postgraduate or doctoral degree on a still-valid Student visa, have your university confirm completion to the Home Office, and apply from inside the UK. Funds and English proof are usually not needed.
To qualify for the UK Graduate Route, you typically need to finish a UK degree on a Student visa that has not expired, and you must be inside the UK when you apply. Your university also has to confirm your course completion to the Home Office. Rules can change, so check the official UK government page before you apply.
Core Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Location | You should be in the UK when you apply. Travelling outside the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands before a decision can lead to the application being withdrawn. |
| Qualification | You completed a bachelor's, postgraduate or doctoral degree from a UK university during the period of your Student visa, matching the qualification stated on your CAS. |
| Visa status | You hold a Student visa that has not yet expired. |
| Course completion | Your education provider has confirmed to the Home Office that you completed the course. You can ask your provider whether this has been done. |
| Minimum study time | At least 12 months in the UK if your course lasted more than 12 months, or the full course length if it was shorter than 12 months. |
What You Typically Do Not Need to Show
- Evidence of funds is typically not required, and the source describes the route as having no financial maintenance requirement.
- Separate proof of English language ability is usually not needed, because your UK degree itself serves as that proof.
- A Student Union Sabbatical Officer on a Student visa is also listed as eligible.
My Advice
Check your visa end date and ask your international office to confirm your completion with the Home Office well before you plan to apply. Avoid leaving the UK until your decision arrives, and check the official page for the latest rules.
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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