When you apply you’ll need to provide:

• a valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality

• your biometric residence permit (BRP), if you were given one when you applied for your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa

• your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when you applied for your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa

Your CAS reference number was sent to you by your education provider when they offered you a place on the course you completed with your Student visa. If you cannot find it, ask your education provider what it is.

Other documents you might need

Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide:

• proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

• a letter from your scholarship or sponsorship provider approving your application, if they paid for both your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

Once you’ve applied, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified

• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

With a Graduate visa you can:

• work in most jobs

• look for work

• be self-employed

• continue living in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible

• do voluntary work

• travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

• apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension

• work as a professional sportsperson

Studying with a Graduate visa

You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa. If your course is eligible for a Student visa, you can extend your Student visa instead.

You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics.

A Graduate visa lasts for 2 years. If you have a PHD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.

Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa.

If your partner and children joined you in the UK as ‘dependants’ on your current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they can apply to stay as dependants on your Graduate visa.

If your child was born in the UK during your current Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they can also apply.

If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

• your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

Your partner

Your partner needs to have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa to apply. You’ll also need to show that they’re still your partner.

You must be able to prove one of the following:

• you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

• you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

• you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture

If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

• communicate regularly with each other

• support each other financially

• care for any children you have together

• spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

Your child

Your child must:

• live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university

• not be married or in a civil partnership

You’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

• a bank statement

• credit card bills

• driving licence

• NHS registration document

• an official letter from their university or college

If your child is under 18

Your child usually needs to have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa to apply.

They do not need to have been a dependant if both of the following apply:

• they were born while you were in the UK on your current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa

• they were born in the UK

You’ll need to provide proof that they’re your child - for example, a UK birth certificate or a special guardianship order from a court.

If your child is 18 or over

They must have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.