The Graduate Route launched on 1 July 2021. It allows students who have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree to stay for up to two years to work at any skill level, or to look for work. Those who have completed a PhD will be granted permission for 3 years.
You must have Tier 4 or Student immigration permission at the time of application in order to be eligible. You can only apply from inside the UK. You will need to undergo identity, security and criminality checks.
The UK government has announced plans to introduce restrictions on student dependant visas on all courses except postgraduate research courses and PhD courses. The Graduate Route eligibility criteria will not change and so students affected by the dependant visa change will not be able to have dependants with them in the UK under the Graduate Route. This change will come into effect for courses starting from January 2024.
Please read our detailed guidance in the sections below to help you understand the eligibility criteria and how and when to apply.
If after reading our guidance you need individual advice you can:
- contact the International Advice Service at the University of Lincoln, or
- contact the UKCISA Student advice line. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) also has detailed information on their website, including money and fees, travelling in and outside the UK and starting work