Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work) vs Skilled Worker Visa

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to your employment situation and timeline. The Graduate Visa is a 2-year grace period after finishing your UK degree with no job offer needed. The Skilled Worker Visa is the permanent route, but it requires an employer sponsor and costs nearly 3x more. Your path depends on whether you have a job lined up and how long you want to stay.

Further reading: UK Skilled Worker Visa guide

1. 01

   You just graduated

   Pick Graduate

   Pick Graduate Visa. You get 2 years to find work without needing sponsorship or a job offer.

   Pick Skilled Worker

   Pick Skilled Worker Visa only if you already have a licensed employer willing to sponsor you.

2. 02

   Budget is tight

   Pick Graduate

   Pick Graduate Visa. It costs $1,170 versus $3,290 for Skilled Worker.

   Pick Skilled Worker

   Pick Skilled Worker Visa if you can afford the higher cost and need permanent residency pathway.

3. 03

   You want to stay long-term

   Pick Graduate

   Pick Graduate Visa as stepping stone only. You must switch to Skilled Worker before it expires.

   Pick Skilled Worker

   Pick Skilled Worker Visa. It leads to PR in around 5 years and doesn't need renewal.

4. 04

   You have a job offer

   Pick Graduate

   You're already qualified for Graduate. Keep it for lower cost if within 2-year window.

   Pick Skilled Worker

   Pick Skilled Worker Visa if you've exhausted Graduate or want the permanent residency path now.

Is the Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work) or the Skilled Worker Visa faster to get?

They are similar: the Graduate takes about 1–2 months and the Skilled Worker about 1–3 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.

Which costs more, the Graduate or the Skilled Worker?

The Skilled Worker Visa (Skilled Worker) costs more, about $3,290 in official fees, versus $1,170 for the Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work) (Graduate). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work) or the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Graduate does not lead directly to permanent residency, while the Skilled Worker leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Does the Graduate or the Skilled Worker need a job offer?

The Skilled Worker Visa (Skilled Worker) requires a job offer or employer sponsor, while the Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work) (Graduate) does not, you can apply on your own profile. That makes the Graduate more accessible if you don't yet have an employer lined up.