--- title: "United Kingdom Graduate visa requirements 2026: 2-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/graduate-visa/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- United Kingdom · Work # United Kingdom Graduate visa **First stay:** 2 yrs Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 2 yrs (2 years if applied for on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months on or after 1 January 2027, 3 years for a PhD or other doctorate; it starts when the application is approved and cannot be extended.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission) - **Work:** Yes (Holders can work and be self-employed, and no sponsor is needed.) - **Spouse work:** Can work (Partner and children can apply as dependants only if they were dependants on the holder's Student visa (or a child born in the UK during it); their visa ends when the holder's does. Your spouse or partner may work in the United Kingdom without a separate permit.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime: Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025.) ## Key facts Graduate visa is a work route for United Kingdom. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **Government fees:** £937 ≈ $1,240 · £1,035/yr ≈ $1,370 - **Processing:** Up to 56 days - **First stay:** 2 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: 2 government fees listed below; decision: up to 56 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: £937 ≈ $1,240 · £1,035/yr ≈ $1,370** - GBP 937 (≈ $1,240) Graduate visa application fee. - GBP 1,035 a year (≈ $1,370) Healthcare surcharge, usually GBP 1,035 (≈ $1,370) for each year of the visa and paid in full with the application: GBP 2,070 (≈ $2,740) for 2 years, GBP 1,552.50 (≈ $2,050) for 18 months (a part-year of 6 months or less costs half the yearly amount when applying from inside the UK), GBP 3,105 (≈ $4,100) for 3 years. **Renewal: Not renewable** The Graduate visa cannot be extended, but you can switch to another visa such as Skilled Worker if you qualify. [UK Government](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) **Processing: Up to 56 days** Decisions usually come within 8 weeks, and you can stay in the UK while you wait. [UK Government](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) **Where to apply: Inside the country** You must be in the UK to apply, after completing an eligible UK degree. [UK Government](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Can't be renewed - Needs earlier residence or an existing status in United Kingdom - Not open to passports from Ireland ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is in the UK on a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. - The applicant studied an eligible UK bachelor's, postgraduate or other course for the minimum period. - The education provider has told the Home Office that the course was completed successfully. #### What you must show - The application fee is GBP 937 (≈ $1,240). - The healthcare surcharge is usually GBP 1,035 (≈ $1,370) for each year of the visa and is paid in full with the application. #### Steps 1. Apply online from inside the UK before the Student visa expires. #### After you arrive - The visa cannot be extended; holders can switch to another visa such as a Skilled Worker visa. ## When you become tax resident How United Kingdom decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 2 years in total** - **Tax residence:** Statutory Residence Test. - **Foreign-source income:** **New-resident relief (4 years)** Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. - **Special regime:** **Four-year Foreign Income and Gains regime** · Tax relief [All tax rules for United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Post-study visa for people who completed an eligible UK degree on a Student visa; it lasts 2 years if applied for on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027, and 3 years for a doctorate. You must be in the UK to apply. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of GBP 937 (≈ $1,240) · Graduate visa application fee. (sources 1, 2) - A fee of GBP 1,035 a year (≈ $1,370) · Healthcare surcharge, usually GBP 1,035 (≈ $1,370) for each year of the visa and paid in full with the application: GBP 2,070 (≈ $2,740) for 2 years, GBP 1,552.50 (≈ $2,050) for 18 months (a part-year of 6 months or less costs half the yearly amount when applying from inside the UK), GBP 3,105 (≈ $4,100) for 3 years. (sources 2, 5) #### Requirements - The applicant is in the UK on a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. (source 1) - The applicant studied an eligible UK bachelor's, postgraduate or other course for the minimum period. (source 1) - The education provider has told the Home Office that the course was completed successfully. (source 1) - The application fee is GBP 937 (≈ $1,240). (source 2) - The healthcare surcharge is usually GBP 1,035 (≈ $1,370) for each year of the visa and is paid in full with the application. (sources 2, 5) - Apply online from inside the UK before the Student visa expires. (source 1) - The visa cannot be extended; holders can switch to another visa such as a Skilled Worker visa. (source 1) #### Stay - 2 years if applied for on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months on or after 1 January 2027, 3 years for a PhD or other doctorate; it starts when the application is approved and cannot be extended. - Initial permitted stay: 24 months. - Not renewable according to our source. #### Nationality Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland. #### Work Holders can work and be self-employed, and no sponsor is needed. #### Family Partner and children can apply as dependants only if they were dependants on the holder's Student visa (or a child born in the UK during it); their visa ends when the holder's does. Your spouse or partner may work in the United Kingdom without a separate permit. Checked 2026-10-12 ## Official sources 1. [Graduate visa](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) · UK Government (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Graduate visa: how much it costs](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/how-much-it-costs) · Home Office / GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Graduate visa: your partner and children](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/your-partner-and-children) · Home Office / GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Immigration Rules Appendix Graduate](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-graduate) · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: how much you have to pay](https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay) · GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-12 ## Graduate visa and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Graduate visa | – | 2 yr | Yes | | [Health and Care Worker visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/health-care-worker/) | Needs income of £25k+ a year ≈ $33k | 5 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Scale-up Worker](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/scale-up-worker/) | Needs income of £39k+ a year ≈ $52k | 2 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Senior or Specialist Worker visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/senior-specialist-worker/) | Needs income of £53k+ a year ≈ $69k | 5 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Skilled Worker](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/skilled-worker/) | Needs income from £33k a year ≈ $44k | 5 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Graduate visa? A fee of GBP 937 (≈ $1,240). Graduate visa application fee. A fee of GBP 1,035 a year (≈ $1,370). Healthcare surcharge, usually GBP 1,035 (≈ $1,370) for each year of the visa and paid in full with the application: GBP 2,070 (≈ $2,740) for 2 years, GBP 1,552.50 (≈ $2,050) for 18 months (a part-year of 6 months or less costs half the yearly amount when applying from inside the UK), GBP 3,105 (≈ $4,100) for 3 years. ### How long can I stay on the Graduate visa? 2 years if applied for on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months on or after 1 January 2027, 3 years for a PhD or other doctorate; it starts when the application is approved and cannot be extended. ### How long does the Graduate visa take to process? Decisions usually come within 8 weeks, and you can stay in the UK while you wait. ### Can I work on the Graduate visa? Yes. Holders can work and be self-employed, and no sponsor is needed. ### Can I bring my family on the Graduate visa? Partner and children can apply as dependants only if they were dependants on the holder's Student visa (or a child born in the UK during it); their visa ends when the holder's does. ### Who can apply for the Graduate visa? Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland. ### Is there a tax break for Graduate visa holders in United Kingdom? Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime: Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Tax Special regime ### [Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/tax/#tax-gb-fig-new-resident) Tax relief Foreign-source income: New-resident relief (4 years) **Details** - Who: UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. #### Taxed on Claimed eligible foreign income and gains arising in the first four UK tax-resident years after at least ten years’ non-UK residence. Examples include foreign trade conducted wholly outside the UK, overseas property-business profits, non-UK dividends and foreign interest. Foreign employment earnings and specified employment income are outside FIG. #### Who it applies to - UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test. - Within the first 4 years of UK tax residence after at least 10 years as non-UK resident. - Claim made annually; unused years do not roll over; temporary years abroad are skipped. - If the 4 years began before 6 April 2025, claims are available from 2025 to 2026 to the last year of the period. #### Exclusions - UK-source income stays taxable. - Foreign earnings and foreign specific employment income are not eligible, though Overseas Workday Relief may apply. - A claim loses Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax tax-free allowances, Marriage Allowance, Married Couples Allowance and Blind Person's Allowance. #### Tax residence Qualifying resident means UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test and within the first four years of UK residence after at least a 10-year period as non-UK tax resident. #### Visas Immigration permission does not qualify anyone; eligibility is tax residence only. #### Other taxes National Insurance, VAT, payroll, UK-source income, treaties and home-country taxes are outside the claim. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/tax/) ## More in United Kingdom [Global Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/global-talent/) [High Potential Individual](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/high-potential-individual/) [India Young Professionals visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/india-young-professionals/) [Youth Mobility Scheme](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/youth-mobility-scheme/) [Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [UK Expansion Worker visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/uk-expansion-worker/) [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/student-visa/) [British citizenship by descent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/citizenship-by-descent/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇵🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [🇪🇸 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇪 IT sector permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/it-residence-permit/) [🇮🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇩🇪 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Graduate visa](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) · UK Government (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Graduate visa: how much it costs](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/how-much-it-costs) · Home Office / GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Graduate visa: your partner and children](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/your-partner-and-children) · Home Office / GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Immigration Rules Appendix Graduate](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-graduate) · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: how much you have to pay](https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay) · GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-12 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.