(UNITED KINGDOM) Choosing between the UK Graduate Work Visa (Graduate Route) and the Skilled Worker Visa is one of the main decisions facing international students and young professionals who want to stay in Britain after their studies. Your choice affects how long you can stay, what kind of work you can do, and how quickly you can move toward settlement and long‑term residence.
You only have two or three years on a student pathway, so using the right route from the start really matters. This guide sets out how the UK Graduate Work Visa and the Skilled Worker Visa compare in 2025 and what different types of applicants should think about before choosing.
Two very different purposes
The Graduate Route is designed as a post‑study work option. It lets you stay in the UK after you complete a degree, even if you do not yet have a job offer. You do not need employer sponsorship, and you can try different kinds of work, including self‑employment and starting your own business.
The Skilled Worker Visa, in contrast, is built around a specific job with a specific employer. Key points:
- You must have a job offer from a company that holds a sponsor licence.
- The job must meet the required skill level and salary.
- For many, this route is the main bridge to long‑term residence in the UK.
Eligibility rules side by side
Graduate Route — main requirements:
- Completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD at a UK higher education provider with a strong compliance record.
- Must still hold a valid Student or Tier 4 visa when you apply.
- Must apply from inside the UK.
- Cannot have used the Graduate Route or the Doctorate Extension Scheme before.
Skilled Worker Visa — main requirements:
- Must have a job offer with a Certificate of Sponsorship issued by a sponsor‑licensed employer.
- Job must be at RQF 3 level or above (usually A‑level or higher).
- Must meet Home Office salary rules.
- Must prove English at B1, rising to B2 for new applicants from January 8, 2026.
- Must show you can support yourself unless your sponsor covers this.
The language and salary rules make the Skilled Worker route harder for new graduates who are still at entry level. By contrast, the Graduate Route focuses on your degree and your record as a student, not your job or income.
How long you can stay and what you can do
Graduate Route — duration and rights:
- 2 years for bachelor’s or master’s degree holders until January 1, 2027.
- For courses ending after January 1, 2027, the grant drops to 18 months.
- PhD graduates receive 3 years under current rules.
- This visa cannot be extended, and time on it does not count towards settlement.
- Work rights: you can work in almost any role, at any skill level, change employers freely, and work for yourself or start a business.
Skilled Worker Visa — duration and rights:
- Normally runs for up to 5 years at a time.
- After 5 years on this route, many people can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residence).
- Time on this visa does count towards settlement, and it can be extended if rules continue to be met.
- Work rights: your main job must match the Certificate of Sponsorship and you generally need permission to change employer or role.
Family, dependents, and everyday life
Graduate Route:
- You can only keep dependents who already hold permission as your partner or child under your last Student visa.
- You cannot bring new dependents from overseas on this route.
- You cannot claim most public funds or benefits.
Skilled Worker Visa:
- You can bring your partner and children as dependents.
- Dependents usually can work or study.
- Time spent as Skilled Worker dependents can often count towards their own settlement later.
Both visas allow travel in and out of the UK, but you must keep to the normal absence limits if you later want to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Skilled Worker.
Costs and financial planning
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, cost is a major factor when people choose between these routes.
- Graduate Route (2025):
- Application fee: £822 to £880
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year
- Skilled Worker Visa:
- Application fee: £827 to £1,420, depending on length of permission and where you apply from
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year
- Immigration Skills Charge (paid by employer): £1,000 to £2,000 per year
- The government has said this charge will increase in the future, which may make sponsors more selective.
Because of these fees, many students use the Graduate Route first to build experience, then move into a Skilled Worker role once their salary rises and they are committed to staying long term.
Pros and cons for different situations
For a new graduate without a firm job offer:
- Pros of the Graduate Route:
- More freedom to try internships, short‑term contracts, and roles below Skilled Worker salary thresholds.
- Better for starting a small business or freelancing early in your career.
- Cons:
- If you reach the end of your 2‑year or 18‑month stay without a plan, you must switch to a different visa or leave the UK.
- Time does not count towards settlement.
For someone with a strong job offer at the right salary:
- Pros of the Skilled Worker Visa:
- Start the 5‑year settlement clock immediately.
- Family can join you, with more stable long‑term prospects.
- Employer commitment via sponsorship and paying the Skills Charge.
- Cons:
- Less flexibility if the role proves unsuitable.
Planning for 2025 and beyond
Policy changes already scheduled should influence your choice:
- From January 1, 2027, bachelor’s and master’s graduates will only receive 18 months on the Graduate Route instead of 2 years. This reduces time to test jobs before meeting Skilled Worker salary levels.
- From January 8, 2026, the English requirement for Skilled Worker applicants rises to B2, which may limit eligibility for some candidates.
- The higher Immigration Skills Charge may push employers to sponsor fewer, more senior roles.
Graduates who want to rely on sponsorship later should:
- Improve their English.
- Gain relevant experience.
- Move into roles that meet Skilled Worker salary rules.
Important: shorter Graduate Route durations and stricter Skilled Worker requirements mean you should plan earlier and more deliberately if your goal is long‑term residence.
REMEMBER: You must apply for the Graduate Route from inside the UK and while your student visa is valid. Check you have not previously used the route and maintain your eligibility.
Where to get official information
Official information on both visas is available on the UK government website at https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa, where you can start the Skilled Worker Visa application and review policy for the Graduate Route.
The Graduate Route offers flexible post-study work without sponsorship but limited duration and no settlement credit; Skilled Worker requires employer sponsorship, salary and skill thresholds, counts toward settlement, and allows dependents. Key 2025–2027 changes include higher English requirements (B2 from Jan 8, 2026), rising employer charges, and the Graduate Route shortening to 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Jan 1, 2027. Graduates should improve English, gain relevant experience, and plan financially to move toward sponsorship when ready.
