Planning to stay and work in the UK after completing your studies? The UK Post-Study Work (PSW) Visa gives eligible international graduates an opportunity to gain professional experience, explore career opportunities and build connections in the UK job market.
Officially known as the Graduate visa, this immigration route allows international students who have successfully completed an eligible UK qualification to remain in the country without securing a job offer or employer sponsorship.
However, the UK government has introduced important changes to the Graduate visa, including a reduction in its duration from January 2027. Understanding these changes is essential for students planning their education and career in the UK.
This guide explains the latest UK PSW visa rules for 2026, including eligibility, visa duration, application costs, required documents, employment rights and regulations for dependants.
What Is a PSW Visa in the UK?
The Post-Study Work Visa, commonly called the PSW visa, is officially known as the UK Graduate visa. It enables eligible international students to stay in the United Kingdom after successfully completing their studies.
Unlike employer-sponsored work visas, the Graduate visa does not require applicants to have a confirmed job offer or a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Graduates can use this period to gain work experience, search for employment, develop professional skills or explore self-employment opportunities.
The Graduate visa is particularly valuable for international students because it provides flexibility when transitioning from university to employment.
However, it is a temporary immigration route and does not directly lead to permanent settlement in the UK.
UK PSW Visa Duration: Latest 2026 and 2027 Rules
One of the most important changes to the UK Graduate visa concerns how long international graduates can remain in the country.
Under the current immigration rules, the duration depends on the applicant’s qualification and application date.
Qualification | Graduate Visa Duration |
Bachelor’s or master’s degree, applying on or after 1 January 2027 | 18 months |
PhD or other doctoral qualification | 3 years |
What Changes From January 2027?
From 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa duration will be reduced from two years to 18 months for most bachelor’s and master’s graduates.
Students who submit eligible applications on or before 31 December 2026 can still receive two years of permission.
Graduates with a PhD or another doctoral qualification will continue to receive three years.
The visa period starts on the date the application is approved, not on the date the student finishes their course.
Students should also remember that they cannot apply early simply to secure a longer visa. Their education provider must first report successful course completion to the Home Office, and they must submit the application before their Student visa expires.
UK PSW Visa Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the UK Graduate visa, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements established by the UK Home Office.
1. Hold a Valid Student Visa
Applicants must be in the UK and normally hold permission under the Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa route when applying.
The Graduate visa application must be submitted before the applicant’s Student visa expires.
2. Successfully Complete an Eligible Course
Applicants must have completed an eligible qualification at a recognised UK education provider.
Common eligible qualifications include:
- UK bachelor’s degrees
- UK master’s degrees
- UK PhDs or other doctoral qualifications
- Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCE)
- Postgraduate Diplomas in Education (PGDE)
- Certain approved legal professional qualifications and other eligible regulated professional courses
Not every diploma or short-term programme qualifies for the Graduate visa. Students should confirm their course eligibility before applying.
3. Study at an Eligible Education Provider
The university or education provider must be a licensed Student sponsor with a track record of compliance.
Students can verify their institution’s sponsorship status through the official UK government register of licensed Student sponsors.
4. Meet the UK Study Requirement
Applicants must complete the required period of study in the UK.
- For courses lasting 12 months or less, students generally must study in the UK for the full course duration.
- For courses lasting longer than 12 months, students generally must have completed at least 12 months of study in the UK.
Certain exceptions may apply, including permitted study-abroad arrangements and historical COVID-19 concessions.
5. Receive Confirmation of Course Completion
The university must inform the Home Office that the student has successfully completed their eligible course.
Students do not need to wait for their graduation ceremony or physical degree certificate once the university has officially reported completion.
6. Meet the Immigration Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the applicable immigration rules and must not previously have received permission under the Graduate route or Doctorate Extension Scheme.
Importantly, the Graduate visa does not require a separate English language test, a job offer or proof of a minimum savings balance as part of its standard eligibility requirements.
UK PSW Visa Fees in 2026
Applicants must pay the Graduate visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
As of October 2026, the application fee is £937.
The standard IHS rate for adult Graduate visa applicants is £1,035 per year.
Graduate Visa Cost Breakdown
Visa Type | Application Fee | IHS | Total |
2-year Graduate visa | £937 | £2,070 | £3,007 |
3-year doctoral Graduate visa | £937 | £3,105 | £4,042 |
For 18-month Graduate visas issued under the rules taking effect in January 2027, applicants should check the exact healthcare surcharge displayed by the official application system, as fees and published guidance may change.
Eligible dependants must submit separate applications and pay the applicable fees and healthcare surcharge.
Although applicants do not have to show a prescribed maintenance balance for the Graduate visa, they should budget for accommodation, food, transport and other living expenses during their stay.
Documents Required for a UK PSW Visa
The Graduate visa application process requires fewer supporting documents than many other immigration routes.
Applicants generally need:
- Valid passport
- CAS reference number
- Evidence of Student visa status
- Sponsorship consent, if applicable
- Relationship documents, if applicable
Certified translations may be required for documents that are not in English or Welsh.
The Home Office may request additional documents depending on an applicant’s circumstances.
What Can You Do on a UK Graduate Visa?
Graduate visa holders are generally permitted to:
- Work in most occupations
- Look for employment
- Become self-employed
- Change employers
- Undertake permitted voluntary work
- Travel internationally and return to the UK while their Graduate visa remains valid
- Continue living with eligible dependants
- Undertake study that meets the Graduate route’s restrictions
What Are the Restrictions?
Graduate visa holders cannot:
- Work as professional sportspersons, including professional sports coaches
- Claim most public benefits or the State Pension
- Extend their Graduate visa
- Use the Graduate route itself as a direct route to settlement
- Study courses that require sponsorship under the Student visa route, except where the immigration rules permit
Students should understand these restrictions before making employment or further-study plans.
Can You Bring Family Members on a UK PSW Visa?
The UK has specific rules regarding partners and children accompanying Graduate visa holders.
In most circumstances, only family members who already held eligible dependant permission under the student’s previous Student visa can apply to remain as Graduate visa dependants.
Eligible family members may include:
- A husband, wife or civil partner
- An eligible unmarried partner
- Dependent children under 18
- Certain dependent children aged 18 or over who already hold qualifying dependant permission
Children born in the UK during the applicant’s relevant Student or Graduate visa permission may also qualify.
Each dependant must submit a separate application and meet the relevant immigration requirements.
Can New Dependants Join a Graduate Visa Holder?
New partners or children who did not previously hold eligible dependant status generally cannot join someone directly under the Graduate visa route.
However, additional family members may become eligible under another visa category if the main applicant later switches to a qualifying immigration route.
Student Dependant Rules Since January 2024
The rules for bringing dependants under the Student visa route changed on 1 January 2024.
Students starting most taught master’s programmes from that date can no longer bring dependants under the usual Student visa arrangements.
Eligible doctoral and research-based higher-degree students may still qualify to bring family members. Government-sponsored students on qualifying courses may also be eligible.
These restrictions are important because the Graduate visa generally allows existing eligible Student dependants to remain rather than permitting entirely new family applications.
Conclusion
The UK Post-Study Work Visa continues to offer international graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience and explore employment after completing their studies.
With flexible work permissions, no requirement for employer sponsorship and opportunities across a wide range of industries, the Graduate visa can be an important part of a student’s international career journey.
However, the upcoming reduction in visa duration from January 2027 makes careful planning even more important.
Students should consider their course eligibility, university sponsorship status, visa application timeline and future career plans before making decisions.
At Guidance Plus, we help students explore UK higher education opportunities, choose suitable courses and universities, and understand their study-abroad options.
If you are considering higher education in the United Kingdom, connect with our UK study abroad consultants in Kochi to explore universities, courses and the next steps in your study journey.
