The UK post study work visa, officially known as the Graduate Route, allows international students to stay and work in the UK after completing their studies. The PSW visa UK offers 2 years of unrestricted work permission (3 years for PhD graduates), without requiring employer sponsorship. This comprehensive guide covers everything about the post study work visa UK eligibility requirements, application process, fees, and the important changes coming in 2027 that will affect future applicants.
Understanding the UK Post Study Work Visa in 2026
The Graduate Route (commonly known as the PSW visa or post study work visa) was introduced in July 2021, replacing the former Tier 1 Post-Study Work visa that closed in 2012. It provides international graduates from UK universities with a valuable opportunity to gain work experience without needing employer sponsorship. The PSW visa UK is one of the most popular immigration routes, with over 100,000 applications granted annually.
Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the Graduate Route does not require a job offer, minimum salary threshold, or Certificate of Sponsorship. This flexibility makes it an attractive option for recent graduates who want time to explore career opportunities, gain UK work experience, or transition to other visa categories.
What is the PSW Visa UK?
What does PSW visa mean and how does it work?
PSW stands for Post-Study Work. The PSW visa UK (officially called the Graduate Route) allows international students who complete eligible UK degrees to stay and work for 2 years (or 3 years for PhD holders) without employer sponsorship. It is not a Tier 2 visa—it operates under its own rules in Appendix Graduate of the Immigration Rules.
The PSW visa provides unrestricted work permission, meaning you can work in any job, at any skill level, for any employer. You can also be self-employed, start a business, or combine work with further study. The only restriction is that you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
Unlike the Student visa which has hour restrictions on work, the Graduate Route has no limits on working hours. This makes it significantly easier to gain meaningful professional experience and build your career in the UK.
Is PSW a Tier 2 visa?
No, the PSW visa is not a Tier 2 visa. The Graduate Route operates under its own category (Appendix Graduate) and does not require employer sponsorship. Tier 2 was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa in December 2020, which requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor and meeting salary thresholds. The PSW visa is completely separate and unsponsored.
Post Study Work Visa UK Eligibility Requirements
Who is eligible for the UK post study work visa?
To be eligible for the PSW visa, you must have successfully completed an eligible degree (bachelor's, master's, PhD, PGCE, or certain professional qualifications) at a UK higher education institution with a track record of compliance. You must apply from within the UK before your Student visa expires, and your institution must confirm your course completion to the Home Office.
The Graduate Route uses a 70-point eligibility system. You automatically score these points if you meet the core requirements: successful course completion at a compliant institution, holding or having held a valid Student visa, and being physically present in the UK during your studies for the required period.
Eligible Qualifications for PSW Visa
- Bachelor's Degree: 2-year Graduate Route permission
- Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate: 2-year permission (if equivalent to UK master's)
- Master's Degree: 2-year Graduate Route permission
- PhD or Doctoral Degree: 3-year Graduate Route permission
- PGCE: 2-year permission
- Law Conversion Courses: 2-year permission (GDL, LPC, SQE)
You cannot apply for the Graduate Route if you have previously been granted permission on this route or the former Doctorate Extension Scheme. Scholarship recipients with government or institutional sponsorship must obtain written consent from their sponsor before applying.
PSW Visa UK Fees and Costs 2026
How much does the PSW visa cost in the UK?
The PSW visa UK fee is £880 for the application. Additionally, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year—totalling £2,070 for a 2-year visa or £3,105 for a 3-year PhD visa. The total cost for a 2-year Graduate Route visa is approximately £2,950.
The Immigration Health Surcharge provides access to NHS services during your stay. For the latest fee information, you can also check the Home Office visa fees guide.
PSW Visa Duration: 2 Years vs 3 Years
How long is the post study work visa valid?
The PSW visa duration is 2 years for Bachelor's and Master's graduates, and 3 years for PhD or doctoral degree holders. Permission starts from the date of the visa decision, not from your course completion date. The Graduate Route cannot be extended, but you can switch to other visa categories like Skilled Worker before it expires.
Time spent on the Graduate Route does not count toward the 10-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain. However, if you switch to a Skilled Worker visa, you can count time toward the 5-year settlement route from that point onwards.
PSW after Master's in UK
Master's degree graduates receive 2 years on the Graduate Route. This applies to all taught postgraduate degrees including MSc, MA, MBA, LLM, and MRes programmes. The 2-year period provides sufficient time to gain professional experience and potentially secure sponsored employment for a Skilled Worker visa if you wish to remain longer.
How to Apply for PSW Visa UK
The Graduate Route application is made online from within the UK. You must apply before your Student visa expires and after your institution has confirmed your course completion to the Home Office. The process is straightforward, but timing is critical.
- Valid passport or travel document
- Current Student visa (or expired within valid application window)
- Course completion confirmed by your institution
- Application fee (£880) and IHS payment
- Biometric appointment (or ID check via app)
Processing Time: Graduate Route applications typically take 8 weeks to process. During this time, you can continue to work and study in the UK under Section 3C leave (your existing conditions continue while your application is pending).
If your application is refused, you may be able to request an Administrative Review to have the decision reconsidered. Common reasons for refusal include applying before your institution confirmed completion, not meeting the UK study requirement, or having previously used the Graduate Route.
PSW Visa New Rules 2026-2027
The UK government announced these changes as part of broader immigration reforms aimed at reducing net migration. The shortened Graduate Route period means students graduating from January 2027 onwards will have less time to secure sponsored employment or alternative visa routes.
What This Means for Current Students
If you are currently studying or planning to complete your degree before the end of 2026, ensure you apply for the Graduate Route before 31 December 2026 to secure the full 2-year permission. Students who apply from 1 January 2027 onwards will receive only 18 months, making early career planning and job searching even more important.
Alternative Routes After PSW
The Graduate Route does not lead directly to settlement, but several pathways allow you to remain in the UK long-term:
- Skilled Worker Visa: Requires sponsored employment meeting salary/skill thresholds
- Global Talent Visa: For leaders in academia, arts, digital technology
- Innovator Founder Visa: For starting an innovative business
- High Potential Individual Visa: For graduates from top global universities
- Scale-up Visa: For fast-growing UK businesses
PSW Visa Dependents
If you had dependents on your Student visa (spouse/partner or children), they can apply to extend their stay alongside your Graduate Route application. However, they must have been your dependents during your Student visa—you cannot bring new dependents on the Graduate Route.
Dependent partners must meet the requirements in Appendix Relationship with Partner. Children must be under 18 at the time of application. Dependents are subject to the suitability requirements in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, and any overstaying issues may affect their application.
Graduate Route dependents can work without restrictions (except as professional sportspersons), study, and access public services. Their visa expires when the main applicant's Graduate Route permission ends.
- PSW visa allows 2 years work (3 for PhD) without sponsorship
- Total cost: £2,950 (2-year) or £3,985 (3-year PhD)
- Apply before Student visa expires, after completion confirmed
- From Jan 2027: Duration reduces to 18 months for non-PhD graduates
- Does not count toward ILR, but can switch to Skilled Worker
Frequently Asked Questions
UK Post Study Work Visa: FAQs
What is the PSW visa UK and how long does it last?
The PSW (Post-Study Work) visa, officially called the Graduate Route, allows international students to stay and work in the UK after completing their degree. Bachelor's and Master's graduates receive 2 years of permission, while PhD holders receive 3 years. The visa is unsponsored, meaning you don't need a job offer or employer sponsorship. You can work in any role, at any level, for any employer (except as a professional sportsperson).
How much does the PSW visa cost in the UK for 2026?
The PSW visa UK fee is £880 for the application. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year, which totals £2,070 for a 2-year visa or £3,105 for a 3-year PhD visa. The total cost for a 2-year Graduate Route is approximately £2,950, and approximately £3,985 for the 3-year PhD route. Dependents must pay the same fees separately.
Is the PSW visa a Tier 2 visa?
No, the PSW visa (Graduate Route) is not a Tier 2 visa. The Graduate Route operates under its own category in Appendix Graduate of the Immigration Rules. Tier 2 was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa in December 2020, which requires employer sponsorship. The Graduate Route is completely unsponsored—you don't need a job offer to apply.
Can I extend my PSW visa after 2 years?
No, the Graduate Route cannot be extended. You can only use it once, and the duration (2 or 3 years) is fixed. However, before your Graduate Route expires, you can switch to another visa category such as the Skilled Worker visa (if you secure sponsored employment), Global Talent visa, Innovator Founder visa, or a spouse/partner visa if you marry a British citizen or settled person.
What are the new PSW rules for 2027?
From 1 January 2027, the Graduate Route duration will be reduced from 2 years to 18 months for Bachelor's and Master's degree holders. PhD graduates will continue to receive the full 3-year permission. If you apply on or before 31 December 2026, you will receive the current 2-year permission. This change is part of the UK government's broader immigration reforms to reduce net migration.
Can I bring my family on a PSW visa?
If you already had dependents on your Student visa, they can apply to extend their stay alongside your Graduate Route application. However, you cannot bring new family members on the Graduate Route. Dependents must pay their own application fee (£880) plus the full IHS rate (£1,035/year, not the student discount). They can work without restrictions during their stay.
Does PSW visa time count toward settlement (ILR)?
No, time spent on the Graduate Route does not count toward the 5-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, if you switch to a Skilled Worker visa, your qualifying period for settlement begins from that point. The Graduate Route also does not count toward the 10-year long residence route to ILR.
How long does the PSW visa application take to process?
Graduate Route applications typically take up to 8 weeks to process. While waiting for a decision, you can continue working and studying in the UK under Section 3C leave (your existing permission conditions continue). You must apply from within the UK, before your Student visa expires, and after your institution has confirmed your course completion to the Home Office.