What the Graduate Route Actually Is
The Graduate Route is an unsponsored work visa that lets you stay in the UK after you complete an eligible degree. You do not need a job offer to apply, and you can work at any skill level or even start a business while you look for a long-term role.
Permit Lengths in 2026
- Master's graduates: 18 months from course completion
- PhD graduates: 36 months from course completion
- You must apply from inside the UK before your student visa expires
- The visa cannot be extended; the goal is to switch to a Skilled Worker visa
Who Is Eligible?
You need to have completed a bachelor's, master's or PhD at a UK university with a track record of compliance. Short-term courses, distance-learning-only programmes and some foundation pathways do not qualify.
Making the 18 Months Count
Students who start networking in month one of their course, not month twelve, are the ones who convert the Graduate Route into a Skilled Worker visa or a high-growth startup path.
"The Graduate Route is a runway, not a destination. Treat it as 24 months to find a sponsor* or build a business case."
Dependents and the IHS
Dependents who joined you during your studies can usually extend their stay under the Graduate Route, but the Immigration Health Surcharge is payable for every year. Budget £776 per adult per year in 2026.
Ready to take the next step?
Talk to a SICS counsellor and turn this guide into a personal action plan.
