The Graduate visa does not lead directly to ILR. Time spent on the Graduate visa does not count toward the 5-year ILR qualifying period. To stay in the UK permanently, you must switch to a qualifying route — such as the Skilled Worker visa — before your Graduate visa expires.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Does Graduate visa lead to ILR? | No — not directly |
| Does Graduate time count toward 5 years? | No |
| Graduate visa duration | 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) |
| Can you extend the Graduate visa? | No — it cannot be renewed |
| Most common route to ILR from Graduate | Switch to Skilled Worker visa |
| When to switch | Before Graduate visa expires |
Quick Overview
✅ The Graduate visa gives you 2 years (or 3 for PhD) to work freely in the UK
✅ You can switch from Graduate to Skilled Worker (or another qualifying route) while in the UK
✅ Once on a qualifying route, your 5-year ILR qualifying period begins
⚠️ Graduate visa time does not count toward ILR — it is not a qualifying route
⚠️ The Graduate visa cannot be extended or renewed — you must switch routes before it expires
⚠️ If the Graduate visa expires without switching, you must leave the UK
📌 Switching to Skilled Worker while on Graduate visa is the most common pathway to ILR
💡 Start looking for a Skilled Worker sponsor well before your Graduate visa expires — do not wait
The Graduate visa is a post-study work visa — not a settlement route. Many people assume it is a step toward ILR. It is not, on its own.
See Skilled Worker visa requirements for the route most Graduate holders switch to.
What Is the Graduate Visa?
The Graduate visa lets you stay and work in the UK after completing a UK degree. It is:
- 2 years for undergraduate and master's graduates
- 3 years for PhD and doctoral graduates
During this period, you can work in any job at any salary level. There is no minimum earnings requirement and no sponsor needed.
You can use this time to find a job that meets Skilled Worker visa requirements, then switch before your Graduate visa expires.
Why Doesn't Graduate Visa Time Count Toward ILR?
The Immigration Rules define which visa routes are "qualifying" for ILR purposes. The Graduate visa is not on that list.
Qualifying routes include:
- Skilled Worker
- Health and Care Worker
- Global Talent
- Innovator Founder
- Scale-Up
- Family (spouse/civil partner)
- Long residence (10 years lawful continuous residence)
Graduate visa time does not count because it is classified as a temporary, unsponsored post-study route — not a route intended to lead to settlement.
How to Get ILR After the Graduate Visa
The Graduate visa is a bridge — you use it to find a sponsor, then switch to a qualifying route.
The most common pathway:
- Graduate visa granted (2 or 3 years from your degree completion)
- Find an employer with a Skilled Worker sponsor licence
- Apply to switch to a Skilled Worker visa while still on Graduate visa
- 5-year qualifying period for ILR begins from the Skilled Worker visa grant date
- After 5 years on Skilled Worker, apply for ILR
The switch to Skilled Worker can happen at any point during your Graduate visa — there is no minimum time you must spend on the Graduate visa first.
When Should You Switch?
Switch as early as possible. Every month you spend on the Graduate visa without switching is time that does not count toward ILR.
Example: Your Graduate visa lasts 2 years. You spend 18 months on it before switching to Skilled Worker. Your 5-year ILR qualifying period starts from the Skilled Worker grant — not from when you graduated. You have used 18 months of Graduate visa time that added nothing to your ILR qualifying period.
If you switch to Skilled Worker after 3 months, your ILR qualifying period is already underway.
Can You Extend the Graduate Visa?
No. The Graduate visa cannot be renewed or extended. It is a one-time-only visa.
If your Graduate visa expires and you have not switched to another route, you must leave the UK. You cannot apply for a second Graduate visa.
If you leave and then want to return, you would need to qualify for a different visa from abroad — typically a Skilled Worker visa with a sponsor.
Common Mistakes
❌ Assuming Graduate visa time counts toward ILR It does not. Every month you are only on the Graduate visa is a month that does not contribute to your 5-year qualifying period. Switch to a qualifying route as quickly as possible.
❌ Waiting until the Graduate visa is nearly expired to find a Skilled Worker sponsor Finding a sponsor and completing the Skilled Worker application takes time. Start looking early — the Graduate visa period is your window. If you leave it late and the visa expires before a Skilled Worker is arranged, you must leave the UK.
❌ Thinking the Graduate visa can be renewed It cannot. There is no Graduate visa extension. Once your 2 or 3 years are up, you either have a different valid visa or you must leave.
❌ Accepting a job below Skilled Worker salary thresholds To switch to Skilled Worker, your job must meet both the occupation code requirements and the salary threshold (£41,700 general threshold, or the going rate for the occupation — whichever is higher). Check GOV.UK for the current threshold as this figure is reviewed annually. A job that is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship will not allow you to stay after the Graduate visa.
❌ Not starting the switch application early enough The Skilled Worker application can take several weeks. Apply for the switch well before your Graduate visa expires. Processing on 3C leave is possible if you apply in time, but it is better to have the new visa before expiry.
Expert Tips
1. Start your Skilled Worker job search from day one of your Graduate visa. The 2 years goes faster than it appears. Every month spent looking is a month that does not count toward ILR.
2. Check the Skilled Worker salary thresholds for your occupation before accepting a job. Not every job qualifies. Look up the relevant SOC code and minimum salary on the immigration salary list before committing to a role.
3. Apply to switch before your Graduate visa expires. Even if you are on Section 3C leave, it is cleaner to have the Skilled Worker visa active before the Graduate period ends. Give yourself at least 2-3 months of buffer.
4. If you are applying for a PhD, consider that the 3-year Graduate visa gives more time to find a suitable sponsor. The extra year is valuable — but the same principle applies: switch as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get ILR directly on a Graduate visa?
No. The Graduate visa is not a qualifying route for ILR. Time on the Graduate visa does not count toward the 5-year qualifying period. To get ILR, you must switch to a qualifying route — most commonly the Skilled Worker visa.
How do you go from Graduate visa to ILR?
Switch to a qualifying route — Skilled Worker is most common — before your Graduate visa expires. Your 5-year ILR qualifying period starts from the date your qualifying visa is granted. After 5 years on the qualifying route, apply for ILR.
Can you extend the Graduate visa?
No. The Graduate visa cannot be renewed or extended. It is a one-time visa. You must switch to another route before it expires or leave the UK.
Does time on the Graduate visa count toward permanent residence?
No. The Graduate visa is specifically excluded from the qualifying routes for ILR. Only time on qualifying routes — Skilled Worker, Global Talent, family visas, and others — counts toward the 5-year period.
What happens if the Graduate visa expires without switching?
If your Graduate visa expires and you have not switched to another route, your leave ends. You must leave the UK. To return, you would need to qualify for a different visa from abroad, typically a Skilled Worker visa.
How This Aligns With Official Guidance
The Graduate visa and its non-qualifying status for ILR are set out in the Immigration Rules. The list of qualifying routes for ILR settlement is published in the Indefinite Leave to Remain guidance on GOV.UK.
Official Resources
- Graduate visa — GOV.UK — eligibility, conditions, and duration
- Skilled Worker visa — GOV.UK — how to switch and the salary requirements
- Indefinite Leave to Remain — GOV.UK — qualifying routes for settlement
Our Free Tools
The Life in the UK test is required for ILR — which you will need after 5 years on a qualifying route. Use the free practice questions to prepare. When you approach your ILR qualifying date, the absence calculator checks your entire travel history.
Last reviewed: May 2026 — figures correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest Graduate visa and Skilled Worker guidance.