Graduate visa: when and how do you apply, 2 years or 18 months, and can you leave the UK?

Who does this apply to?

• This is general information. It does not assess anyone's personal situation. It is for people who studied in the UK on a Student visa and are thinking of applying for a Graduate visa. It is based on the GOV.UK Graduate visa page as of October 2026. Check fees on the page before applying.

Conditions

• You must be in the UK when you apply.
• Your current visa must be a Student visa and your education provider must have told the Home Office that you completed the course. You do not have to wait for the graduation ceremony or a certificate; the provider's report is enough.
• You must apply before your Student visa expires.

Length: 2 years or 18 months?

• The length depends on the date of application. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 get 2 years; applications from 1 January 2027 get 18 months. PhD and other doctoral graduates get 3 years.
• The introduction of the page says "at least 18 months"; the length table is more specific.
• The visa starts when it is granted. In groups the question was asked "if approval comes in January, is it 1.5 years?". To settle whether the length follows the application date or the approval date, read the length table and the related note on the GOV.UK page before you apply.

Decision time and fee

• GOV.UK says that once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents you usually get a decision within 8 weeks. You can stay in the UK while you wait. People in groups report anything from 1-2 days to 2 weeks; these are individual experiences.
• The application fee is £937, plus usually £1,035 a year for the Immigration Health Surcharge. Check the page for current amounts.

Leaving the UK

• If you leave the UK after finishing and before applying, to apply when you return your Student visa must still be valid and your provider must have made its report. A university guide says travel between course end and visa end should not affect eligibility; still, confirm with your university before you go.
• In groups people said leaving after coursework and thesis were handed in, then returning, caused no problem. That is personal experience; ask your university's international student office.

Points to watch

• Address: people in groups reported applying while staying in short-term accommodation. The official page does not state a proof or fixed address requirement; check the questions in the application form.
• Official pages and fees change. This post is a general summary.

What can you do?

• Read the whole Graduate visa page.
• For personal immigration questions, find a registered adviser: GOV.UK: Find an immigration adviser. Money paid to an unregulated adviser cannot be recovered.