The Graduate route visa is for students who successfully complete their degree-level course in the UK to apply for permission to stay in the UK beyond the end of their course.
The Graduate visa isn't extendable and doesn't lead to settlement, although you may be able to switch into another visa category in the future if you meet the relevant requirements.
What are the requirements for applying for a Graduate visa?
- You must apply in the UK. You can't apply from outside of the UK.
- You can only apply once you have been awarded your degree at King’s.
- You must also hold a valid Student route or Tier 4 visa at the time of your application.
The university is required to confirm to UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) that you've successfully completed your course. The Visa Compliance team will do this within 10 working days of your results being formally ratified at the relevant exam board. You'll be notified by email once this confirmation has been sent to UKVI. You can then apply for the Graduate visa.
You can't apply for the Graduate visa on the basis of provisional results or because you've completed your studies. All your final results must have been formally ratified. This includes the results for any deferrals or resits.
If you’re a PhD or a doctoral-level student, you can only apply once you’ve been formally awarded your degree.
If you're unsure when your results will be formally ratified at an exam board, please contact your department/ faculty.
Important to know:
- You can apply for the Graduate visa from the time you successfully complete your course at King’s (please see above) up until the expiry date of your Student route/Tier 4 visa.
- However, you must not apply for your Graduate visa until you've received the confirmation email from the Visa Compliance team, or your visa application may be refused.
- If you have re-sits or deferrals which will delay the end of your course beyond the original end date on your CAS, this could affect your eligibility for the Graduate route, as you may not be awarded your degree before your current visa's expiry date. Please contact the Visa & International Student Advice team to discuss any implications for you in these circumstances.
- You must also receive the award which was stated on the CAS you were issued to apply for your Student/Tier 4 visa.
- If you've changed your course at any point or your exit award has changed, and you want to check your eligibility for the Graduate Route, please contact the Visa & International Student Advice team.
- If, in the last 12 months before the date of your application, you've been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship by a government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, you must provide written consent from them with your application.
Part of the eligibility criteria for applying for the Graduate visa is that applicants must have completed their degree whilst studying within the UK. However, there are some exceptions:
A period of study abroad:
Students who took part in a permitted Study Abroad programme during their studies will still be able to meet the 'Study in the UK' requirement.
Can my dependants apply under the Graduate route?
Can I study on a Graduate visa?
Study is restricted under the Graduate route. You won't be able to undertake any programme that usually requires Student visa sponsorship while holding a Graduate route visa.
You must apply to switch into a Student visa instead and you can't start your programme until the Student visa is issued.
How do I apply for a Graduate visa?
For guidance on how to apply for the Graduate visa and the documents you will need during your application, visit the Graduate visa webpages.
- You'll need the original CAS that was issued to you by King’s to study with us. You don't need a new CAS.
- You must pay an application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge payment. Further details on these fees can be found on the Graduate visa webpages. Applicants are also subject to identity, criminality, and security checks.
- There are currently no requirements to show a specific amount of money in your bank account to cover living costs for applicants under this visa route - which is different to the Student visa.
Important to know:
- It can take up to 8 weeks for UKVI to decide on a Graduate visa application. Unfortunately, King's cannot ask for an update on an application or ask UKVI to expedite one.
- You should not leave the UK whilst you are waiting for the outcome of your Graduate visa application, as your application will be treated as withdrawn by UKVI.
Guidance for those with dependants
Travel and the Graduate visa
You can leave the UK after you've completed your course at King’s and return to your home country or travel overseas, but you must return to the UK before your Student route/Tier 4 visa expires to submit your Graduate visa application.
You should declare any periods you've spent outside the UK on your application.
You must not leave the UK after you submit your Graduate visa application until UKVI has made a decision. Otherwise, your application will be treated as withdrawn by UKVI.
King’s can't advise on how long you can be outside the UK and remain eligible for the Graduate visa, as UKVI has not provided any official guidance on this.
I have further questions/need further support
If you have any questions about the Graduate visa/route, please contact the Visa & International Student Advice team. Read our article International student advice & support for further guidance on how to contact the team.
Further resources about the Graduate Route: