Updated 8 November 2026
The UK Graduate visa lets international students who finish an eligible UK degree stay on to work or look for work without a sponsor. For Kenyan students in the UK, the important date is 31 December 2026. GOV.UK says a Graduate visa applied for on or before that date lasts 2 years, but one applied for on or after 1 January 2027 lasts 18 months. This guide covers eligibility, costs and what to do next, from GOV.UK.
Source: GOV.UK Graduate visa guidance (last updated 27 October 2026), including the course, costs and documents sections, read on 8 November 2026. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK before you apply.
On this page
UK Graduate visa: key facts
| Item | GOV.UK rule |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Inside the UK only, before your Student visa expires |
| Length | 2 years if you apply on or before 31 Dec 2026; 18 months from 1 Jan 2027; 3 years for PhD graduates |
| Application fee | £937 |
| Health surcharge | £1,552.50 (18 months), £2,070 (2 years), £3,105 (3 years) |
| Sponsor needed | No |
| Decision | Usually within 8 weeks; you can stay while you wait |
| Extension | Not possible; switch to another visa instead |
Who is eligible for a UK Graduate visa
You can apply if all of these apply to you:
- you are in the UK;
- you hold a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa;
- you studied an eligible course for the minimum period on that visa;
- your education provider has told the Home Office that you completed the course successfully.
Eligible courses are usually a UK bachelor’s, master’s or PhD. Some law and teaching courses also count, including an SRA-approved law conversion course, the Legal Practice Course, the Bar Practice Course, a PGCE and a PGDE. Your provider must be a licensed sponsor with a “track record of compliance”.
You must have studied in the UK for at least 12 months if your course is longer than 12 months, or for the whole course if it is shorter. GOV.UK says a one-year master’s still counts as a year in the UK even if you left during term breaks or at weekends.
The 31 December 2026 deadline
This is the change most Kenyan students need to plan around. A UK Graduate visa applied for on or before 31 December 2026 lasts 2 years, while one applied for on or after 1 January 2027 lasts 18 months. The visa starts from the day it is approved, not the day you apply. You can only apply once your provider has reported your successful completion to the Home Office, and you do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony.
If you are finishing a master’s in late 2026, ask your university early when it will report your completion. That date, not your exam date, decides whether you can apply in time. A PhD graduate gets 3 years whichever date applies.
How much a UK Graduate visa costs
- Application fee: £937.
- Immigration health surcharge: usually £1,035 a year, which is £2,070 for 2 years, £1,552.50 for 18 months, or £3,105 for 3 years.
A 2-year Graduate visa therefore costs £937 plus £2,070, which is £3,007 per person, at application. Partners and children who are eligible pay their own fees. If you take a public sector healthcare job after paying the surcharge, GOV.UK says you may be able to get a refund. Doctors, nurses and care workers should also look at the Health and Care Worker visa, which is cheaper and does not charge the surcharge.
Documents and timing
- a valid passport;
- the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your Student visa application (ask your provider if you have lost it);
- proof of your Student visa status, such as your biometric residence permit, where applicable.
Apply online before your Student visa expires. After you have proved your identity and provided documents, the decision usually takes 8 weeks, and you may remain in the UK while you wait.
What you can and cannot do
You can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed, do voluntary work, travel abroad and return, and continue living with eligible family. You cannot claim most public funds or the State Pension, or work as a professional sportsperson. You may only study on a course that is not eligible for a Student visa.
After the Graduate visa
A Graduate visa cannot be extended. To stay longer, most graduates switch to a work route, usually the Skilled Worker visa, which needs a sponsoring employer and salary thresholds. See our UK Skilled Worker visa guide. If you are still choosing where to study, our UK student visa guide explains the first step.
Use the Graduate visa period to build UK work experience in a role that could later be sponsored. An employer already familiar with your work may find it easier to apply for a sponsor licence if it does not already have one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a UK Graduate visa from Kenya?
No. GOV.UK says you must be in the UK when you apply, on a valid Student visa.
How long is the UK Graduate visa in 2026?
Two years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, then 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. PhD graduates get 3 years.
Do I need a job offer?
No. You can work, look for work or be self-employed without a sponsor.
Can I extend a Graduate visa?
No. You would need to switch to another visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Related guide: UK Innovator Founder Visa for Kenyan Entrepreneurs: Proven Rules, £1,357 Fee and Endorsement Steps.
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