Student and Graduate Visas

Student visa essentials

You need an unconditional offer and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor, money to cover your first year's fees and living costs (£1,483 a month in London, £1,136 elsewhere, for up to 9 months) held for 28 days, English at the required level (B2 for degree level) and, for under-18s, parental consent and care arrangements. Nationals of some countries must also provide a tuberculosis certificate, and some courses need an ATAS certificate.

The financial requirement and the credibility interview are where most refusals happen. Funds must be in the right account for 28 continuous days ending no more than 31 days before you apply, and the caseworker may interview you about your course choice, your study history and your intentions.

Fee: £558 plus the health surcharge of £776 a year. Decisions take about 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks inside.

The Graduate visa

The Graduate route lets you stay and work at any skill level after completing a UK bachelor's, master's or PhD. You must apply from inside the UK while your Student visa is valid and after your institution has reported your successful completion. The visa is granted for 2 years (3 for doctoral graduates); for applications made from 1 January 2027 the period reduces to 18 months. It cannot be extended and does not count towards settlement on its own, so the key decision is how to use it to secure a Skilled Worker sponsorship, a Global Talent endorsement or an Innovator Founder endorsement before it expires.

Fee: £937 plus the health surcharge of £1,035 a year.

Switching from Student or Graduate to a career visa

Graduates who switch to Skilled Worker benefit from the new entrant salary discount for up to 4 years, and Graduate visa holders who switch are exempt from the Immigration Skills Charge for their employer in some cases. Employers can obtain a sponsor licence specifically to keep a graduate they have trained. We advise students and employers on timing, because the switch must be made before the current permission expires, and on which route best fits a plan to settle in the UK.

1. Status review

   We check your current permission, expiry date, course completion reporting and work rights.

2. Route planning

   Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, Global Talent, partner or High Potential Individual: we compare the options and the path to settlement.

3. Application

   We prepare and submit the application, coordinating with your employer or endorsing body where relevant.

Fees and costs

Figures from the Home Office fee table effective 8 October 2026, checked September 2026.

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