UK Post-Study Work Visa for Indian Graduates

All figures here come from GOV.UK and Home Office pages, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. For visitor, work and family routes, see our UK visa guide for Indians.

Can you apply for the UK post-study work visa from India?

No. GOV.UK's Graduate visa guide states that the visa must be applied for from inside the UK, before your Student visa expires. It cannot be applied for from India. That single rule shapes your whole plan: the post-study route begins with the Student visa you apply for at home.

To be eligible, you must:

• be in the UK on a Student (or Tier 4) visa;
• have successfully completed an eligible UK degree or course; and
• have your course provider tell the Home Office that you completed the course.

If your Student visa runs out before you apply, you lose this route. Keep an eye on the expiry date printed on your eVisa record, not just your course end date.

How long will the Graduate visa last?

The length depends on your qualification and on the date you apply.

The cut to 18 months applies to applications made on or after 1 January 2027, according to GOV.UK. What counts is the date you submit the application, not the date your course started. PhD holders keep 3 years. Whatever the length, the visa cannot be extended.

How much does the Graduate visa cost?

The surcharge is charged per year, so a longer visa means a larger total. For comparison, the Student visa you apply for from India costs £558, with a student surcharge of £776 per year. UKVI publishes fees in GBP only. There are no official INR figures, so the rupee cost depends on the exchange rate on the day you pay.

What can you do on a Graduate visa, and what can't you?

The Graduate visa is unsponsored. You do not need a job offer to get it. GOV.UK says you can:

• work in most jobs;
• look for work; and
• be self-employed.

You cannot extend it. When it ends, you need another visa to stay, and switching to a route such as the Skilled Worker visa is possible from inside the UK.

How do you switch from the Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa?

Most Indian graduates who want to stay longer aim for the Skilled Worker route. Its 2026 rules on GOV.UK:

• A job offer from a Home Office-approved employer (licensed sponsor) and a certificate of sponsorship.
• An eligible occupation: 'higher skilled' jobs qualify; 'medium skilled' jobs qualify only if on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
• Salary: the higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for the occupation.
• A lower salary (70% to 90% of the going rate) is possible if you are paid at least £33,400 a year and, for example, you are under 26, a recent graduate or in professional training.
• English at CEFR level B2 for new applicants since 8 January 2026, unless exempt.

Switch applications made inside the UK on most work routes are usually decided within 8 weeks. On 22 July 2025 the skill threshold went back to RQF level 6 (degree level), which removed around 180 occupations unless they appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Check your target role's occupation code early in your Graduate visa, not in its last months.

Are there other post-study routes for Indian graduates?

Two other routes need no job offer. Both have conditions that rule many people out.

So a UK degree on its own does not open the HPI route. It fits only if you also hold a degree from a listed university elsewhere, awarded in the last 5 years.

What should you plan before you leave India?

Because the Graduate visa depends on finishing a UK course as a student, your preparation starts with the Student visa application:

• Get a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor.
• Show course fees for the first academic year and living costs of £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to 9 months.
• Hold the funds for at least 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of applying.
• Apply up to 6 months before the course starts; the standard decision time is 3 weeks.

Home Office statistics for the year ending June 2026 (provisional) show a 96% grant rate for sponsored study visas for Indian nationals: 83,958 granted and 3,846 refused out of 87,804 decisions. That figure covers all Indian nationals applying, and it measures past decisions only.

Mistakes to avoid: letting your Student visa expire before you apply; assuming you will still get 2 years if you apply in 2027; and treating the Graduate visa as a step that can be extended.

If family members plan to visit you in the UK, for example for your graduation, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files. Packages range from INR 1,000 to INR 3,000; WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or get in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a job offer to get a UK Graduate visa?

No. The Graduate visa is not tied to an employer. You can work in most jobs, look for work or be self-employed while it lasts.

Can I apply for the Graduate visa after returning to India?

No. GOV.UK says it must be applied for from inside the UK before your Student visa expires. If you leave and your Student visa runs out, you would need a different route, such as a sponsored Skilled Worker visa.

Will the UK Graduate visa still be 2 years in 2027?

No. For applications made on or after 1 January 2027 it falls to 18 months. PhD graduates keep 3 years.

How long does a Graduate visa decision take?

GOV.UK says decisions are usually made within 8 weeks. The fee is £937 plus the healthcare surcharge, usually £1,035 per year.