Post Study Work Visa UK in 2026-2027

A post study work visa UK, also known as the Graduate Visa or Graduate Route Visa, allows you to stay and find work opportunities in the UK for at least 2 years after completing your bachelor’s or master's. The PhD graduates or doctoral students can stay for up to 3 years.

The Graduate Route is for international graduates who are enrolled at an institution that is approved by the United Kingdom Higher Education Provider.

The landscape for the UK Post-Study Work (Graduate) Visa has seen significant proposed changes in 2025, largely aimed at curbing overall net migration. While the official GOV.UK site currently states a 2-year duration (3 years for PhD), and a May 2025 "Immigration White Paper" outlines key policy adjustments that are highly likely to come into effect, impacting international students, including those from India.

Here's a breakdown of the critical updates:

• Reduced Visa Duration: For the majority of bachelor's and master's degree holders, the typical Graduate Visa period will be shortened from the current 24 months (2 years) to 18 months. Although this is still up for debate, the time frame for PhD and doctorate graduates may also be shortened from three years to eighteen months.
  • Implication: This significantly shortens the window for graduates to gain work experience and transition to a Skilled Worker Visa, potentially increasing pressure to secure sponsorship quickly.
• Increased English Language Requirements: For primary visa applicants and, most significantly, for adult dependents, stricter English language competency requirements are being implemented. Higher standards will apply to individuals wishing to settle or switch to work visas, even though the majority of applicants for study visas may still be at CEFR B1/B2.
  • Implication: This necessitates strong English skills from the outset, especially for those with long-term UK aspirations.
• Levy on Universities: The government is exploring the introduction of a levy on university income from international student fees. The funds generated are intended to be reinvested into the UK's domestic education and skills system.
  • Implication: While not directly a visa fee, this could indirectly lead to increased tuition costs for international students as universities may pass on the levy.
• Tighter Compliance for Universities: Stricter pass levels on tests, mandated involvement in the Agent Quality Framework, and public ratings based on sponsored performance are just a few of the more stringent compliance requirements that universities sponsoring international students will have to deal with.
  • Implication: This aims to ensure only genuine students attend reputable institutions, potentially affecting institutional choices for prospective students.
• No New Dependents for Taught Postgraduate Students (from early 2024): As of early 2024, most international students on taught Master's courses are generally no longer allowed to bring dependents, except for those on PhD or research-based postgraduate courses.
  • Implication: This significantly impacts Indian students who often plan to study with family members, reinforcing the need for individual applicant focus.

The PSW visa allows graduates to stay in the UK for:

• 2 years after completing an undergraduate degree or a Master's degree.
• 3 years after completing a PhD.

You can apply for a visa or permission to stay longer once you've secured employment.

The post study work visa UK allows graduates to gain valuable work experience and enhance their career prospects. To be eligible for a graduate visa in the UK, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be in the UK at the time of application. 
• You must currently hold a valid student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
• You must have studied a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree, or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your student visa.
• You must have completed your degree from a qualifying institution, which is a higher education provider approved by the UK Home Office. 
• Your minimum time for studying in the UK must have been:
  • At least 12 months, if your course lasted longer than 12 months.
  • The entire duration of your course, if it's shorter than 12 months.

The eligibility also depends on the following factors:

• The course provider, i.e., the college or the university where the course was completed.
• The type of course you are studying.
• For how long does the individual study in the UK

Also Read: Best Courses to Study In UK

You can apply for a post-study work visa in the UK after your university or college has informed the Home Office of your final academic result. Generally, the bachelor’s degree result will be available around August, and the master’s degree result will be available around November or December.

Make sure you meet the following criteria:

• You must have completed a qualifying course at a recognised UK institution.
• You should be in the UK at the time of applying.
• You must apply before your current student visa or Tier 4 visa expires.

The application process for a PSW visa UK is quite similar to the way you applied for a student visa. You’ll need to submit your application online through the UK government's official website. Your dependents (partners and children) can submit separate applications and pay applicable fees. 

However, before applying, you must gather all important documents for a successful application.

Documents Required for PSW Visa UK

Below is a list of documents that you need to submit to make sure your visa process goes smoothly and efficiently.
 

• A valid passport or other travel document that confirms your identity and nationality
• Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa (online proof of your immigration status), if you received one when you applied for your student visa.
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number when you applied for your student visa. Your education provider would’ve provided this number to you.
• If applicable, provide proof of relationship with dependents who are applying alongside you.
• If you received a scholarship or sponsorship that covered your course fees and living costs in the past 12 months, you may need a letter from your provider confirming this.

Note: You may need to provide biometric information (fingerprints and photo) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre in case you’re unable to scan your BRP or passport with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app. 

The PSW Visa is issued after document confirmation to ensure that the country retains the brightest students from all over the globe and help them make a growing career in the country, as well as open opportunities for future breakthroughs in technology, science, research, and other similar work.

Post Study Work Visa Fees UK

The fees generally comprise two main components: the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). It's important to note that these fees are subject to change, and the figures provided below reflect the latest publicly available information for April 2025 onwards.

• Graduate Visa Application Fee:
  • Amount: £880 (₹1L)
  • Details: This is a flat fee applicable to the main applicant for both the 2-year (Bachelor's/Master's graduates) and 3-year (PhD/Doctoral graduates) Graduate Route visas. Dependents, if eligible, will pay the same application fee.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):
  • Amount: £1,035 per year for most visa applicants.
  • Discounted Rate for Students & Youth Mobility Scheme: £776 per year.
  • Details: The Graduate Visa falls under the "student" category for IHS purposes, meaning Indian students will typically pay the discounted rate of £776 per year. This surcharge grants access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS). It must be paid upfront for the entire duration of your visa.
    • For a 2-year Graduate Visa: £776 x 2 = £1,552
    • For a 3-year Graduate Visa (PhD/Doctoral): £776 x 3 = £2,328
  • Note: If the visa duration includes a partial year (e.g., 2.5 years), the IHS is calculated by paying the yearly cost plus half the yearly cost for periods less than 6 months, and a full year's cost for periods more than 6 months.

Total Estimated Costs for Indian Students (Main Applicant):

• For a 2-year Graduate Visa:
  • Application Fee: £880
  • IHS (2 years): £1,552
  • Total: £2,432
• For a 3-year Graduate Visa (PhD/Doctoral):
  • Application Fee: £880
  • IHS (3 years): £2,328
  • Total: £3,208

PSW Visa UK Processing Time

You can expect to receive a decision on your graduate visa application within 8 weeks. The applicants are advised to stay in the UK during this period, as they cannot travel abroad until a decision is made on their application.

However, if the processing time of your application extends beyond 8 weeks, you will be notified by email. Some of the possible reasons for delay in the application process can be:

• Supporting documents require further verification.
• Additional information or clarification is needed regarding personal circumstances.
• There is an increase in visa demand or other operational delays.

After you’ve applied for a PSW visa, you will receive an email within eight weeks of your application with details on the status of your application and what needs to be done next. 

In case, you want to cancel your application for a graduate visa in the UK, then you can only get a refund of your application fee if the UKVI has not started processing your application.

With a Graduate Visa, you can:

• Look for work
• Be self-employed
• Do voluntary work
• Travel abroad and return to the UK

The things you cannot do are:

• Apply for state pension or other public benefits such as public funds
• Work as a professional sportsperson

The graduate visa is not extendable, i.e., the students will not be eligible to apply for the route more than once in their lifetime.

The UK is a leading choice for Indian students seeking international education, especially with the availability of the Graduate visa. This visa offers a post-study work option that does not require sponsorship, making it a convenient pathway for students. 

The benefits of a study work visa UK are as follows:

• Extended Stay: Graduates can stay in the UK for up to 2 years after completing their degree, or 3 years for PhD holders. This allows ample time to seek employment and gain work experience.
• No Sponsorship Required: Unlike many other visa types, this route does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship, giving graduates the freedom to explore various job opportunities without immediate pressure.
• Work in Any Sector: You can work in any job at any skill level, which means you can pursue roles that align with your career goals or even try out different fields.
• Dependent Work Rights: Dependents of international students can also apply for work rights, allowing partners and children to work in the UK during this period.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency: The experience gained during this time can help graduates qualify for other visa types, potentially leading to permanent residency in the UK

Completing your degree in the UK is a significant achievement. Whether you’ve just earned your bachelor’s or master’s degree, the UK offers many pathways or visa options that let you gain international work experience, build your career, and stay in the UK after graduation.

There are different types of post-study work visa options available to work in the UK after completing your studies, which are:

• Skilled Worker Visa: This visa allows international students to stay in the UK after graduation if they have a job offer from a licensed sponsor employer, meeting salary and skill level requirements. It can be granted for up to 5 years, after which you can apply for permanent residency. 
• Global Talent Visa: Designed for high-achieving students in academia, research, arts, or technology, this visa does not require a job offer and allows you to stay and work in the UK for 5 years.
•  Start-Up Visa: This optional route is for international graduates looking to set up a viable and innovative business in the UK, fostering entrepreneurial skills.

Under the graduate route of post-study work visa UK, the applicants can take up extra study, but they are not allowed to study with a student sponsor, and they can not study at a State school.

If you are looking to pursue studies in the UK, Leap Scholar can help you provide career advice, identify the best universities for your course and guide you through the process.