Reviewed Checked on 30 October 2026
Visa rules and fees come from GOV.UK pages checked on this date. Immigration rules change often, so confirm on GOV.UK before you apply. This is general information, not legal advice. The quote from Tripti Maheshwari comes from our own interview, recorded years ago, and is one person’s view.
International students can get graduate jobs in the UK, but the route depends on two visas: the Graduate visa while you look for work, and the Skilled Worker visa if an employer sponsors you afterwards. Both have changed since the old “Tier 2” days, and one date matters right now: a Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027 (PhD graduates get 3 years).
This guide explains what you can do with each visa, what they cost, what salary an employer must pay, and how to find sponsors. At the end you will find a short extract from our original interview with Tripti Maheshwari, co-founder of Student Circus, a job portal for international students, whose advice on timing still holds.
International students and graduate jobs in the UK: at a glance
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| How long is a Graduate visa | 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027, 3 years for PhD graduates | GOV.UK Graduate visa |
| What does it cost | £937 application fee plus the healthcare surcharge, usually £1,035 for each year | GOV.UK Graduate visa |
| Can you extend it | No, but you may be able to switch to another visa such as Skilled Worker | GOV.UK Graduate visa |
| Skilled Worker minimum salary | The higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for the job, with lower rules in some cases | GOV.UK Skilled Worker: your job |
| Do you need a sponsor | Yes, a Home Office approved employer must give you a certificate of sponsorship | GOV.UK Skilled Worker: your job |
Graduate visa: the time you get to find a job
The Graduate visa lets you stay and work after a UK degree. You must be in the UK and hold a Student visa, and your university must have told the Home Office you completed your course. According to GOV.UK you can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed and do voluntary work. You cannot claim most benefits or the State Pension, and you cannot work as a professional sportsperson.
The practical points are timing and cost. You do not have to wait for graduation or a certificate to apply, but you must apply before your Student visa expires. GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 8 weeks, and you can stay in the UK while you wait. Because the length drops from 2 years to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027, anyone who can legitimately apply before then should check the dates with their university international office.
- Pay the £937 application fee and the healthcare surcharge (usually £1,035 for each year of the visa).
- Apply while your Student visa is still valid, not after it expires.
- Remember you cannot extend a Graduate visa, so start sponsored job applications early.
Skilled Worker visa: what employers must pay
The Skilled Worker visa was formerly the Tier 2 General work visa. To qualify, your job must be on the eligible list, your employer must be Home Office approved, and you must be paid at least the minimum salary. GOV.UK sets that as the higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for your occupation code. You might still be eligible at a lower figure of at least £33,400 a year in some cases, which GOV.UK explains on its when you can be paid less page.
| Item | Then (Tripti Maheshwari interview) | Now (GOV.UK, October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa name | Tier 2 | Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2 General) |
| Minimum salary quoted | £20,800 | Higher of £41,700 or the going rate |
| Post-study route | Not covered | Graduate visa, 2 years or 18 months depending on the application date |
The salary gap is the biggest change for graduates. Many entry-level salaries fall below the standard figure, so check the lower rules and the going rate for your occupation code before you assume a role is sponsorable. The code is a four-digit number your employer can give you, or you can search the CASCOT occupation coding tool that GOV.UK points to.
How to find employers that sponsor international graduates
Only employers on the Home Office register can sponsor you. GOV.UK links the register of licensed sponsors, so you can check any company in minutes. An employer without a licence can apply for one, but GOV.UK says the fee is £611 for small businesses and charities or £1,682 for larger organisations, and it takes around 8 weeks, so do not expect a licence to appear for one applicant.
- Search the register for the employer name before you spend time on an application.
- Read the advert for wording on right to work and sponsorship, which varies by employer and year.
- Browse our Graduate Scheme hub and check each employer’s own careers page for its current position, for example PwC and KPMG.
- Ask the university careers service which employers hired international graduates recently.
We do not list employers as “sponsoring” here, because policies change between recruitment rounds. The register plus the advert is the reliable check.
Advice from Tripti Maheshwari, Student Circus
In our original interview, Tripti Maheshwari, who started Student Circus after studying in the UK herself, was asked what international students should do. Her answer began: “I would say apply early.” She explained that UK employers run recruitment cycles roughly from August to December and that visa rules are the single most important thing to understand. This is one person’s view from an older interview, so use it for the timing advice and rely on the GOV.UK figures above for rules and salaries.
The timing point still matches how large graduate recruiters work: many open in late summer and autumn. See our guide to graduate scheme opening dates and plan applications around them.
A simple plan for international students
Before your final year
Check your Student visa end date, your course eligibility and the dates above. Speak to your university international office.
Autumn of your final year
Apply to graduate schemes early and check each employer against the sponsor register.
After your course
Apply for the Graduate visa before the Student visa expires and keep applying while you wait.
When you get an offer
Ask the employer whether it will provide a certificate of sponsorship and confirm the salary against the going rate.
FAQ
How long is the Graduate visa in 2026 and 2027?
According to GOV.UK it lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD and other doctoral graduates get 3 years.
Can international students work in the UK after graduating?
Yes. A Graduate visa allows you to work in most jobs, look for work and be self-employed. GOV.UK lists limits, such as no professional sport and no access to most benefits.
What is the Tier 2 visa called now?
The Skilled Worker visa, which GOV.UK describes as formerly the Tier 2 General work visa. It needs a job offer from an approved employer.
What salary do I need for a Skilled Worker visa?
GOV.UK says the higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for the occupation, with lower options in some cases, including at least £33,400 a year where its rules allow.
Can I extend a Graduate visa?
No. GOV.UK says you cannot extend it, but you may be able to switch to a visa such as Skilled Worker if you have a sponsored job.
