What Is the Graduate Route UK (PSW / Visa de Trabajo Reino Unido)?
The Graduate Route is the UK’s post-study work visa that allows international students to stay and work, or look for work, after successfully completing an eligible course at a UK higher education provider. It is frequently searched in Spanish as visa trabajo Reino Unido para graduados or PSW UK. Whether you call it the Graduate visa, PSW (Post-Study Work), or the visa de trabajo Reino Unido after studies, it gives you unsponsored access to the UK labour market for up to 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates).
As of 2026, the Graduate Route remains points-free, sponsor-free, and you do not need a job offer to apply. You can work in most roles, switch jobs, be self-employed, and do voluntary work — there is no minimum salary and no restriction on the type of employer. The only things you cannot do are work as a professional sportsperson or as a doctor/dentist in training.
Below is everything you need to know about Graduate Visa requisitos, fees, application steps, and how to trabajar en UK después de estudiar in 2026.
2026 Key Data at a Glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa duration | 2 years (bachelor’s or master’s); 3 years (PhD or other doctoral qualification) |
| Job offer needed? | No |
| Sponsor required? | No |
| Minimum salary | None |
| Eligible qualification | UK bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, PGCE, PGDip in Law (LPC), Bar Practice Course, or certain professional qualifications |
| Study requirement | Completed the course in the UK on a Student visa; sponsor must confirm completion to Home Office |
| Application deadline | Before your Student visa (or Tier 4) expires while you are inside the UK |
| Application fee 2026 | £822 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035 per year (total £2,070 for a 2-year visa; £3,105 for 3-year PhD route) |
| Maintenance funds | No evidence of maintenance required if you have been in the UK with valid leave for 12 months or more; otherwise £2,668 in a bank account for 28 days (unless exempt) |
| Processing time | 8 weeks standard; cannot travel while awaiting decision |
| Right to work | Full right to work from the date you apply (if Student visa allows work) until decision; once granted, unlimited work rights in any sector except professional sportsperson or doctor/dentist-in-training |
| Dependants | Only family who are already in the UK as Student dependants can apply with you; new dependants cannot join |
| Switching | Can switch to Skilled Worker or other sponsored routes from within the UK |
| ILR eligibility | Does not lead to settlement; time does not count toward 5 years |
Does the Graduate Route Still Exist in 2026? Yes — Here’s the Latest Policy
In mid-2025 the UK government completed another review of the Graduate Route following concerns about abuse and low earnings. However, as of 2026, the route has been retained with stricter compliance monitoring for sponsors but no salary thresholds have been introduced. The Home Office confirmed that international graduates contribute a net fiscal benefit of £30.4 billion (2024 Migration Advisory Committee estimate) and that restricting the route would harm the higher education sector.
The Graduate Route continues to be a key part of the UK’s International Education Strategy, targeting 600,000 international students per year by 2030. In the 2024/25 academic year (most recent full-year data), 68% of international graduates who switched from the Graduate Route to a Skilled Worker visa were employed in roles at or above the median UK salary, and the Graduate Route remains the most common bridge to longer-term employment for non-EU students.
If you search for Graduate Route UK 2026, PSW UK, or visa de trabajo Reino Unido para graduados, you will find the same fundamental requirements as in previous years — no job offer, no sponsorship, and full work rights. The main operational change is increased Home Office compliance spot checks on sponsor institutions, not on applicants.
Eligibility: Are You Qualified for the Graduate Visa?
To apply for the Graduate Route in 2026, you must meet all these conditions on the date of application:
- Current immigration status – You hold a valid Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa that was granted to study a course leading to an eligible qualification.
- Successful completion – You have been awarded the qualification for which your CAS was assigned. Your sponsor (university or college) must have reported your course completion to the Home Office via the Sponsor Management System.
- Study location – You studied the entire course in the UK. Temporary study abroad periods that were part of the course and approved by the sponsor are allowed. Distance learning is only permitted for a minority of the course, except for pandemic-era concessions that have now ended.
- Compliance – You have not breached the conditions of your Student visa and have no adverse immigration history.
- No previous Graduate Route grant – You cannot apply for the Graduate Route more than once, unless you have completed a higher-level qualification after a previous grant (e.g., a PhD after a master’s).
Graduate Visa Requisitos Checklist
- Passport and current BRP / digital status
- CAS number from your Student visa application
- Evidence of qualification (your sponsor confirms this directly to UKVI; you usually don’t need to submit a certificate)
- Bank statements showing £2,668 for 28 days if you haven’t been in the UK for 12 months on the application date (most applicants are exempt)
- Confirmation from your sponsor that the course is completed (you should obtain a letter or email for your records)
If you do not meet the 12-month residence exemption, you must show maintenance funds. However, almost all applicants who have completed a degree of one year or longer qualify for the exemption.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Graduate Route in 2026
1. Check your Student visa expiry date
You can submit your application from the day after your sponsor reports your course completion to UKVI. You must apply before your Student visa expires. It is not possible to apply from outside the UK.
2. Gather documents
Prepare a digital copy of your passport, BRP (if you have one), and the CAS number. Unless you fall under the rare maintenance funds requirement, most applicants only need identity documents.
3. Complete the online application form
Apply via the official GOV.UK website (Graduate visa page). You will:
- Confirm your identity using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app (if you have a biometric passport) or book an appointment at a UKVCAS service point.
- Pay the £822 application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year of leave).
- Do not travel outside the Common Travel Area until a decision is made.
4. Wait for a decision
The standard processing time is 8 weeks. You can continue to live and work under the conditions of your current Student visa while you wait. In practice, many applicants receive a decision in 4–6 weeks.
5. Receive your digital status
If approved, you will receive a digital immigration status (eVisa) – there is no physical BRP issued for Graduate visa holders. You can prove your right to work using a share code.
Costs in 2026: Is the Graduate Route Worth the Money?
The total upfront cost for a 2-year Graduate visa is £2,892 (£822 application fee + £2,070 IHS). For a 3-year PhD Graduate visa, the total is £3,927 (£822 + £3,105 IHS).
Compared to a Skilled Worker visa, this route is far less bureaucratic and doesn’t tie you to a single employer. You can use the 2–3 years to gain UK work experience, find a sponsoring employer, and then switch to a skilled work route that leads to settlement. According to a 2025 survey by Universities UK International, 78% of Graduate Route holders who switched to a Skilled Worker visa earned over £30,000 per year in their new role, and 42% had been promoted within the same company during their Graduate visa period.
If your goal is to trabajar en UK después de estudiar without immediate employer sponsorship, the Graduate Route’s cost–benefit ratio remains high.
What Happens After Your Graduate Visa Expires?
The Graduate Route cannot be extended beyond the initial grant. Before your visa expires, you must either:
- Switch to a work visa – Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, or Global Talent visas are the most common switches. You will need a sponsor and a job meeting the salary and skill level thresholds.
- Leave the UK – If you do not switch or leave, you become an overstayer, which can harm future UK immigration applications.
- Apply for another Student visa – If you plan to undertake further studies at a higher level (e.g., a PhD after a master’s).
Time spent on the Graduate Route does not count toward the 5-year ILR qualifying period, but you can combine it with years on a Skilled Worker visa to reach settlement.
Common Questions About the Graduate Route UK
Q: Can I work as a freelancer or start a business on the Graduate Route?
Yes. The Graduate visa permits self-employment, contract work, and starting or running a business. There are no restrictions on the type of work, except for professional sportsperson and doctor/dentist in training. This flexibility makes it one of the most attractive post-study work options globally.
Q: Can I travel outside the UK while my Graduate Route application is pending?
No. If you travel outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man) after submitting your application, your application will be automatically withdrawn. Wait until you receive your decision before making any international trips.
Q: What if my course ends in summer but my Student visa expires in October — can I apply then?
Yes. You can apply as soon as your sponsor confirms course completion to UKVI. Many students receive confirmation in July or August and apply immediately. You must submit the application before your Student visa’s expiry date, which is often a few months after the course end date. Do not wait until the last week — processing delays could make you an overstayer.
Q: Are EU students eligible for the Graduate Route?
Since 1 January 2021, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who arrive in the UK after the end of the transition period must obtain a Student visa to study. If they hold a valid Student visa and meet the same requirements as non-EU students, they are equally eligible for the Graduate Route.
Q: Can I apply for the Graduate Route if I fail a module and resit it later?
Your sponsor must confirm that you have successfully completed the course. If you fail but pass a resit and are awarded the qualification before your Student visa expires, you can apply. Make sure your sponsor updates the Home Office with the completion date after the resit.
Sources and Official References
- GOV.UK – Graduate visa (https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) – The official UK government page detailing eligibility, how to apply, and fees. Updated regularly; always check the latest version in 2026.
- UKCISA – Graduate Route (https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information—Advice/Working/Graduate-Route) – The UK Council for International Student Affairs provides plain-language guidance and is considered the most authoritative non-government source for international students.
- Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) Annual Report 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-advisory-committee-annual-reports) – The independent body that advises the UK government on immigration, including the economic impact of the Graduate Route.
- Home Office UKVI Sponsor Guidance 2026 (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sponsorship-information-for-employers-and-educators) – For detailed compliance and sponsor reporting requirements that affect the Graduate Route.