Wednesday 14 January 2026, 9-10am
A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least two years after successfully completing a course in the UK.
You can apply for a Graduate visa if all the following are true:
We will notify the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. Please do not apply until you have been told that this has been done.
A Graduate visa lasts for two years. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for three years.
Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.
You must apply online.
You must apply before your Student visa expires.
You can apply as soon as Solent has told you that the Home Office has been notified that you’ve successfully completed your current course, as written on your CAS.
You must apply before your student visa expires. You will not be required to submit a copy of your degree and you do not need to wait until your graduation ceremony.
You can use your expired BRP card on the UKVI Immigration ID Check app to successfully complete the biometrics checks.
As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
Your application may take longer if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they were your dependants on your previous visa.
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within eight weeks.
You must remain in the UK while you wait for a decision. Travelling outside of the UK common travel area will result in your application being cancelled.
When you apply for a Graduate visa, you’ll need to:
With a Graduate visa you can:
You cannot:
What will be the end date of my Graduate Visa?
Your visa will be valid from the day it was granted for two years (or three if you have completed a PHD level course).
When can I start a permanent employment?
If the Graduate Route application is submitted in time you will be able to start a full-time permanent job (with no end date) between making the Graduate route application and receiving a decision on it.
When can I start self-employment or work as an entertainer?
You will not be allowed to start self-employment or work as an entertainer until you are granted Graduate permission.
Can I travel outside the UK when my visa is being decided?
If you leave the UK your Graduate route visa application may be void, you are advised to travel after your visa is granted.
My course is finished when can I travel outside the UK?
You can travel outside and come back to the UK within the last 4 months of your student visa. I would advise you to come back to the UK in a good time to apply for the Graduate Route before your student visa expires. You should take into consideration any travel disruptions, as you will not be able to enter the UK without a valid visa.
For further advice please contact internationalsupport@solent.ac.uk or visit the UKCISA website