UK Graduate Route & Skilled Worker Visa Requirements & Roadmap
Country: United Kingdom•Consular update: July 2026
Visa Fee$822 USD
Average SLA / Duration3 Weeks (3 to 8 weeks)
Approval Index86% Approval
Eligibility Requirements
Graduation from a UK higher education provider (2 years Graduate Route, 3 years for PhD), or a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK employer meeting the £38,700 standard salary threshold (or £30,960 for new entrants).
Documents Checklist Drawer
Completed eligible UK bachelor, master, or PhD degree
Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number (for Skilled Worker)
Job offer in an eligible occupation code meeting salary requirements
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment of £1,035/year (standard route)
Step-by-Step Filing Roadmap
1
Wait for university to notify UKVI of your successful course completion.
2
Apply online for the Graduate Route visa from inside the UK before your student visa expires.
3
Pay application fee of £822 and IHS of £2,070 (2 years).
4
Verify identity using the "UK Immigration: ID Check" mobile app.
5
Receive digital eVisa confirmation grant with unrestricted UK work rights.
Core Rejection Reasons
- •Applying for Graduate Route from outside the United Kingdom.
- •University not reporting course completion to UKVI prior to application.
- •Employer lacking a valid A-rated sponsor licence.
Guide Navigation
1. Fees and Processing Times2. Eligibility Benchmarks3. Necessary Checklist files4. Roadmap Steps5. Refusal Prevention
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