Your Graduate Visa Is Expiring. What Are Your Actual Options?

Your Graduate Visa Is Expiring. What Are Your Actual Options?

UK Immigration Guide 2026

Your Graduate Visa Is Expiring.
What Are Your Actual Options?

The Graduate Route cannot be extended. Here is the strategic roadmap to staying in the UK legally.

⚠️ The Hard Truth

You cannot extend the Graduate Visa.

It is a strict "one-time" visa. If you do not switch to another visa category before your current expiry date, you become an overstayer. This is a criminal offense in the UK and will result in a ban from re-entering the country.

Option 1: The Skilled Worker Visa (Your Best Bet)

Most graduates panic because they see the "General Salary Threshold" (often £38,700+) and think they don't qualify.

Good News: As a recent graduate, you are classified as a "New Entrant." This gives you a massive discount on the salary requirement.

The "New Entrant" Discount

You can be paid 70% of the job's going rate (down to a floor of approx. £30,960) if:

  • You are currently on the Graduate Route.
  • You are under 26 years old when you apply.
  • You are a postdoctoral researcher in science/education.

*Note: You can only be a "New Entrant" for 4 years in total (including time spent on your Graduate Visa). Since the Graduate Visa is 2 years, you typically have 2 years of "New Entrant" status left to use on a Skilled Worker visa.

How to Ask Your Employer for Sponsorship

Many employers are scared of "Sponsorship" because they think it's expensive and complicated. You need to educate them.

"Boss, my Graduate visa is expiring, but because I am switching from inside the UK, the process is easier for you:"

  • ✔ No Immigration Skills Charge: Since I am switching from a student/graduate route, you DO NOT have to pay the £1,000/year Immigration Skills Charge.
  • ✔ Lower Salary: I qualify as a 'New Entrant,' so you don't need to match the senior salary bands.
  • ✔ Undefined CoS: You can allocate an 'Undefined CoS' which is faster than applying for a Defined one used for overseas hires.

Option 2: Global Talent Visa (The "Freedom" Route)

If you work in Tech, Arts, Academia, or Research, check this immediately. You do not need a job offer.

  • Tech Nation (Digital Technology): Even if you are not a coder, but work in a product-led digital company (e.g., Product Manager, UX Designer, Sales in Tech), you might qualify for "Exceptional Promise" (for those early in their career).
  • Arts Council: For fashion designers, architects, and film/TV professionals.

Option 3: Scale-up Worker Visa

This is an unsung hero. If your employer is a registered "Scale-up" (a company growing by 20% year-on-year):

  • You only need sponsorship for the first 6 months.
  • After 6 months, you can leave that employer and work for anyone else (unsponsored) for the remaining 18 months.

The "Danger Zone" Timeline

8 Weeks Before Expiry

Start your Skilled Worker application. Even with priority service, getting the CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) from your employer can take weeks.

1 Day Before Expiry

You MUST submit your online application by 11:59 PM on the day your visa expires. As long as you hit "Submit" and pay, you are protected by Section 3C Leave while the decision is pending.

⚠️ Did you miss the date?

If your visa has already expired, you have exactly 14 days to apply, but only if you have a "good reason" (like emergency hospitalization).

If you do not fit this exception, you must leave the UK immediately to avoid a re-entry ban.

Disclaimer: Immigration rules change frequently. This guide is for information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the official GOV.UK website for the latest salary thresholds.


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