The UK Graduate Visa 2026 allows international graduates to remain in the UK for two years (three years for PhD holders) without a job offer or salary threshold. It is a temporary post-study work route, not a settlement pathway.
Duration and Eligibility: Two Years, No Employer Required
The UK Graduate Visa 2026 offers a fixed two-year stay for bachelor’s and master’s graduates, and three years for doctoral graduates. You must have completed a UK degree from a Home Office-approved higher education provider. No employer sponsorship is required, and there is no minimum salary threshold during the graduate visa period. You can work in any role, including self-employment and freelance work, as long as you do not access public funds.
The visa is non-extendable. Once it expires, you must switch to another immigration category—most commonly the Skilled Worker visa—or leave the UK. The application window opens after your university confirms your course completion, and you must apply within the UK before your student visa expires.
Per UNILINK tracking of n=1,280 UK graduate visa holders in 2026, 67% secured employment within six months of graduation, with 41% moving into roles paying above £30,000 annually. The data, collected via direct applicant surveys and UKVI FOI requests, shows that the graduate visa remains a popular bridge for career entry.
Salary Threshold: £38,700 for Skilled Worker Switching
The biggest change in 2026 is the salary threshold for switching from the Graduate Visa to the Skilled Worker visa. Since April 2024, the general Skilled Worker salary floor has been £38,700 per year (or the going rate for the specific occupation, whichever is higher). This applies to all new applicants, including those switching from the Graduate Visa.
However, there is a notable exception: if you switch directly from a Graduate Visa to a Skilled Worker visa, you may qualify for the “new entrant” discount. New entrants—defined as those under 26, or switching from a Student or Graduate visa within two years of graduation—can receive a reduced salary threshold of £30,960 per year, or 70% of the going rate for the role. This discount applies only for the initial visa grant; subsequent renewals require the full £38,700.
!UK Graduate Visa 2026: Salary Threshold, Duration and Switching to Skilled Worker
Switching Process: From Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker
Switching to a Skilled Worker visa requires a job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and meeting the salary threshold. You must apply online via the UKVI portal, pay the application fee (£719 for a three-year visa, £1,423 for five years), and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year). Processing times are typically 8 weeks, though priority services are available for an additional fee.
Key documents include: your current Graduate Visa BRP card, a valid passport, the CoS reference number, proof of English language proficiency (B1 level or above), and evidence of the salary meeting the threshold. If you are using the new entrant discount, you must also provide proof of age or graduation date. Switching can be done from within the UK, and you can start working for the new employer once the application is submitted, provided the CoS is valid.
Impact on International Students: A Two-Step Career Strategy
The Graduate Visa 2026 effectively creates a two-step career strategy for international students: gain UK work experience on the graduate visa, then secure a sponsored role at the higher salary. This model has become more challenging since the salary threshold increase. Data from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) 2025 review indicated that 32% of Graduate Visa holders who switched to Skilled Worker in 2023 earned below £30,000, meaning they would not qualify under the new rules without the new entrant discount.
For students targeting high-demand sectors like technology, finance, or healthcare, the £38,700 threshold is achievable. In London, median graduate salaries in fintech and software engineering already exceed £45,000. For those in lower-paying fields—such as hospitality, retail, or arts—the switch is significantly harder.
The new entrant discount provides a critical window, but only for two years post-graduation.
Policy Outlook: What Changes Are Expected by 2027?
The UK government has signaled no immediate changes to the Graduate Visa itself, but the Skilled Worker threshold may rise further. The Home Office’s 2026 statement of changes confirmed the current parameters remain in place through 2027. However, the MAC is conducting a full review of the Graduate Visa route, with findings expected in late 2026. Potential adjustments include shortening the duration to 18 months for non-STEM graduates, or introducing a salary floor for the graduate visa itself—a proposal that was rejected in 2024 but may resurface.
The Labour government has emphasized reducing net migration, and the Graduate Visa is under scrutiny. Any changes would likely be announced in the Autumn 2026 Budget. For now, the route remains stable, but applicants should plan for a higher salary threshold on the Skilled Worker side.
FAQ
Q1: Can I stay in the UK after my Graduate Visa expires without a Skilled Worker visa?
No. The Graduate Visa is non-extendable. You must either switch to a Skilled Worker visa, a Global Talent visa, a Family visa, or leave the UK. Overstaying can result in a 12-month re-entry ban (UKVI 2026 enforcement data shows 2,300 overstayers received bans in 2025).
Q2: What is the minimum salary for the new entrant discount in 2026?
The new entrant discount for Skilled Worker switching is £30,960 per year, or 70% of the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. This applies if you are under 26 or switching from a Graduate Visa within two years of graduation. In 2025, 54% of new entrant applicants met this threshold (UKVI FOI release 2026).
Q3: How long does it take to switch from a Graduate Visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
Standard processing is 8 weeks. Priority service (5 working days) costs £500, and super priority service (next working day) costs £800. You can start working for the new employer once the application is submitted with a valid CoS. In 2026, 72% of priority applications were processed within the advertised time (UNILINK tracking data).
Q4: Can I bring dependents on my Graduate Visa?
Yes, if they were already your dependents during your Student visa. No new dependents can join you from abroad while you hold a Graduate Visa. In 2026, 12% of Graduate Visa holders had dependents (UNILINK n=1,280 survey). Dependents can work in any role, subject to immigration conditions.
Q5: What options do I have if I cannot meet the Skilled Worker salary threshold?
If you cannot meet £38,700 (or £30,960 as a new entrant), consider: Global Talent visa (no salary threshold, requires endorsement, 85% success rate in 2025), Innovator Founder visa (requires £50,000 in funding), or Youth Mobility Scheme (if eligible by nationality, 2-year visa). Only 23% of Graduate Visa holders successfully switched to Skilled Worker in 2025 due to salary barriers (MAC 2026 interim data).
References
- UK Home Office, 2026, Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules
- Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), 2025, Review of the Graduate Visa Route
- UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), 2026, Official Guidance: Skilled Worker Visa
- UNILINK, 2026, Graduate Visa Applicant Tracking Survey (n=1,280)
- Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2025, Graduate Salary Data by Region