What is a Graduate Visa?
A graduate visa allows graduates to stay in the UK for up to two years after they finish university. The visa allows you as well as your partner and any children, to live and work in the UK, but only if they were already dependants on your student visa.
However, you cannot apply for any benefits, and you need to have already completed your course at a UK university before applying. You also are not allowed to continue studying after receiving your graduate visa. You cannot renew a graduate visa, but you can switch to a different type of visa, such as a skilled worker visa after your graduate visa expires.
Who Can Apply for a Graduate Visa?
To apply for a graduate visa, you need to have already completed your course, and your university has notified the home office.
Additionally, your course has to have been completed at a UK university, and you need to apply before your existing student visa expires.
What do I Need to Apply for a Graduate Visa?
Most applicants will need their passport and their most recent CAS number. You also need to provide your biometric residence permit.
If you have received sponsorship in the 12 months before you apply for a graduate visa, you will need approval from that sponsor before applying.
You will also need to pay an application fee of £715 and a healthcare surcharge of £624.
How to Apply for a Graduate Visa
You can apply for a graduate visa on the GOV.UK website
