UK Graduate Route Visa for Nigerian Students (2026): Fees, Eligibility and the 2027 Change to 18 Months
Last updated: 9 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Key point for 2026: the UK Graduate Route (Graduate visa) lets international students who finish a UK degree stay and work, with no job offer, for 2 years if they apply on or before 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027 most bachelor’s and master’s graduates will get 18 months instead. PhD graduates keep 3 years. If you are a Nigerian student finishing in the next few weeks, the application date now matters. This guide explains who qualifies, the fees, how to apply, what work you can do, and what happens after.
Rules and fees change. Everything below is checked against the official GOV.UK Graduate visa page as of 9 November 2026. Confirm on GOV.UK before you pay.
What is the UK Graduate Route?
The Graduate Route is a post-study work visa. It gives you permission to live in the UK and work, or look for work, at any skill level after you complete an eligible course. You do not need a sponsor or a Certificate of Sponsorship, and there is no minimum salary. It cannot be extended, but you may be able to switch into another visa such as Skilled Worker.
How long can you stay?
| Qualification | Apply on or before 31 Dec 2026 | Apply from 1 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s or master’s | 2 years | 18 months |
| PhD or other doctorate | 3 years | 3 years |
The 18-month change came from the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and is now in the Immigration Rules. The relevant date is the date you apply, not the date your Student visa ends. Applying before the cut-off is allowed only once your university has told the Home Office you completed your course, so ask your international office now how quickly they report completions.
Who is eligible?
- You are in the UK when you apply.
- You hold, or last held, a Student (or Tier 4) visa.
- You completed an eligible UK bachelor’s, postgraduate or other qualifying course (for example a PGCE or law conversion) at a provider with a track record of compliance.
- Your university has reported your successful completion to the Home Office. You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony or certificate.
- You apply before your Student visa expires.
- You have not previously held Graduate or Doctorate Extension Scheme permission.
- If a government or international scholarship body paid your fees and living costs in the last 12 months, you may need written consent from that sponsor.
Chevening and Commonwealth scholars should check their scholarship terms before applying. See our guide to scholarships for Nigerian students abroad.
How much does it cost?
- Application fee: £937.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): usually £1,035 for each year of your stay, paid up front. A 2-year grant is therefore about £2,070 and a 3-year grant about £3,105. For an 18-month grant the amount is calculated pro rata and shown in your application, so check the figure on screen.
For a 2-year visa, the total is about £3,007 (£937 plus £2,070). There is no separate bank-balance or maintenance requirement for the Graduate visa. Exchange rates change daily, so convert to naira at the time you pay using a live rate rather than relying on an old figure. Doctors, nurses and some care workers may be better off on the Health and Care Worker visa, which does not carry the IHS.
How to apply: step by step
- Confirm completion. Check that your university has reported your course completion. You can apply once it has.
- Gather documents. Valid passport, your Student visa details or CAS reference, and any other documents the online form asks for. A degree certificate is not required.
- Apply online from inside the UK on GOV.UK and pay the fee and IHS.
- Prove your identity with the app or at a visa centre, as directed.
- Wait. A decision usually takes up to 8 weeks. You may stay in the UK while you wait, but do not leave the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man or your application will be treated as withdrawn.
What work can you do?
You can work at any level: full-time, part-time, self-employed, freelance, voluntary, or in several jobs. You can start a business. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, including as a coach, and you cannot claim public funds. Further study is allowed only if the course does not need Student sponsorship.
Can your family come?
Dependants who were with you on your Student visa can apply to stay with you, but they must be in the UK when they apply. You cannot add new dependants, except a child born in the UK during your Student or Graduate permission. Always check the current dependants rules on GOV.UK because they have changed in recent years.
What happens after the Graduate visa?
The route does not lead directly to settlement, and time on it does not count towards the five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain for workers. Most graduates plan a switch before it expires, for example to a Skilled Worker visa with a licensed sponsor, or Global Talent or Innovator Founder. The Home Office has also said it is looking at further change to the route, so watch for announcements. Our guides to the easiest work visas for Nigerians and UK recruitment agencies for Nigerians can help you plan your next step, and the Japa guide covers the wider picture. Avoid agents who promise guaranteed jobs or visas for a fee.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the UK while the application is pending.
- Applying after the Student visa has expired.
- Waiting until 2027 without realising the grant drops to 18 months.
- Paying a middleman for something you can apply for yourself on GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Graduate visa for Nigerian students?
Two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates applying on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027, and three years for PhD graduates.
How much is the UK Graduate visa fee?
The application fee is £937 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, usually £1,035 per year of the visa.
Do I need a job offer?
No. There is no job offer, sponsor or minimum salary requirement.
Can I apply from Nigeria?
No. You must be in the UK and apply before your Student visa expires.
Can I extend the Graduate visa?
No. You must switch to another visa route or leave when it ends.
Can my spouse and children join me?
Only existing dependants on your Student permission can apply to stay, and they must be in the UK. New dependants are not allowed except a baby born in the UK during your permission.
Does Graduate visa time count towards settlement?
It does not count towards the five-year work route to ILR, though it may count towards the 10-year long residence route.
Disclaimer: this is general information, not legal advice. For your own case speak to an OISC-regulated adviser or a solicitor, and rely on GOV.UK for current rules.
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If you are finishing a UK degree this winter, ask your university when it will report your completion, because the 31 December 2026 date decides whether you get 2 years or 18 months. Questions below. – Ade Adeniyi