UK Student to Graduate Visa (PSW) Transition Guide 2026
2026 guide to switching from a UK Student Visa to the Graduate Route: unsponsored work rights, current £937 application fee, £1,035/year IHS, the 2026-to-2027 duration change, course-completion notification and the route to Skilled Worker.
1. Executive Summary & Graduate Route Benefits
The Graduate Visa (Graduate Route) is an unsponsored route for eligible Students who successfully complete a qualifying course with a higher education provider with a track record of compliance. For applications made on or before 31 December 2026, it normally lasts 2 years; for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, it normally lasts 18 months. PhD or other doctoral qualification holders receive 3 years.
2. Graduate Visa Application Cost & Requirements Matrix
The table below outlines fees and eligibility criteria for the Graduate Route:
| Requirement / Item | Cost / Requirement Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee | £937 (current from 8 April 2026) | Home Office application fee |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £2,070 for a 2-year grant or £3,105 for a 3-year PhD/doctoral grant, using £1,035 per year | Full access to UK NHS healthcare |
| Proof of Maintenance Savings | NO Financial Proof Required | Exempt from bank statement maintenance tests |
| English Language Test | NO Separate English Test Required | The Graduate Route does not impose a separate English-language test requirement |
| Job Offer Needed? | NO Job Offer Required | Complete flexibility to seek employment |
3. Timing Your Graduate Visa Application
You must apply before your Student permission expires and after the qualifying-course completion requirement is satisfied. The Student sponsor must normally have notified the Home Office by the application date. The notification is a Home Office requirement rather than an applicant-email requirement, and current caseworker guidance provides a limited exception where a qualifying CAS demonstrates the course and the application would otherwise succeed.
4. Starting Your 5-Year ILR Clock
The Graduate Route is not a route to settlement. Time on the Graduate Route does not count towards the 5-year Skilled Worker settlement route, although lawful residence can potentially contribute to a separate 10-year Long Residence application if all requirements are met. Switching to Skilled Worker can start or continue the qualifying residence period for that settlement route.
5. Graduate Visa Duration in 2026 and 2027
For eligible non-PhD applications made on or before 31 December 2026, the Graduate Visa normally lasts 2 years. For eligible non-PhD applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the normal duration becomes 18 months. The 3-year period for PhD or other doctoral qualifications remains unchanged.
6. Qualifying Course and UK Study Requirement
The Graduate Route requires successful completion of a qualifying course with a higher education provider that has a track record of compliance. For courses longer than 12 months, the applicant normally must have held Student permission for at least 12 months during which the study took place in the UK, apart from permitted study-abroad arrangements. For courses of 12 months or less, the relevant UK-study period is generally the full course duration.
Essential Summary & 2026 Checklist
- Graduate Visa grants 2 years for eligible non-PhD applications made by 31 December 2026, 18 months for eligible non-PhD applications from 1 January 2027, and 3 years for PhD/doctoral graduates, with unsponsored work rights subject to the route conditions.
- Must apply from inside the UK before Student permission expires, with the applicant holding or having last held Student permission.
- Current 2-year total: £937 application fee + £2,070 IHS for an eligible non-PhD application made by 31 December 2026. PhD/doctoral applicants pay £937 + £3,105 IHS.
- Apply only after the course-completion requirement is satisfied and the Student sponsor has normally notified the Home Office by the application date.
- Switch to a Skilled Worker visa to start your 5-year ILR settlement clock.
Frequently Asked Questions (6)
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