The rules behind the dates
- Apply for the Graduate visa inside the UK, before your Student visa expires, after your university reports that you completed. Fee £937 plus the health surcharge of £1,035 per year.
- Length: 2 years for applications on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months from 1 January 2027; PhD graduates 3 years. It cannot be extended.
- New-entrant Skilled Worker rate: £33,400 and 70% of the going rate, open to you while on the Graduate visa or within 2 years after; total time at the new-entrant rate including Graduate time is capped at 4 years.
- The job must be RQF 6+ (or on the shortage lists before 31 December 2026), and you need a licensed sponsor. Your UK degree counts as English proof.
- Graduate time does not count towards ILR; switching to Skilled Worker early starts the 5-year clock sooner.
Sources: GOV.UK: Graduate visa · GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa · Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker · Statement of changes HC 1333 (Graduate 18 months, B2 English) · GOV.UK: Home Office immigration and nationality fees (8 October 2026) · GOV.UK: Immigration Health Surcharge.