If you’re an international student in the UK — or planning to study there — you may be wondering:
“Can I stay and settle in the UK after completing my degree?”
The answer is yes, but it depends on which visa route you take after graduation. In this article, we’ll break down your post-study visa options in the UK, how to switch to a work visa, and what steps lead to Permanent Residency (PR) and eventually British citizenship.
🎓 Step 1: Graduate Route Visa (Post-Study Work Visa)
The Graduate Route allows international students to stay in the UK for 2 years (or 3 years for PhDs) after completing their degree.
✅ Eligibility:
- You completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD at a UK institution
- Your university is a licensed sponsor
- You applied while your Tier 4 / Student Visa was still valid
📌 Key Features:
- No job offer required
- You can work any job, full-time or part-time
- You can switch to a Skilled Worker visa anytime
- Non-renewable (must switch before it ends)
💰 Application Fee: £822
💳 Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035/year
💼 Step 2: Skilled Worker Visa (Work Route)
After or during your Graduate Visa, you can apply for the Skilled Worker visa, which is a direct route to settlement.
✅ Requirements:
- Job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor
- Job must be on the Skilled Occupation List
- Minimum salary: £38,700/year (or £15.88/hour)
- English proficiency proven during studies
🕐 Validity:
- Up to 5 years
- Can be renewed or extended
✅ After 5 years on Skilled Worker, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
🏠 Step 3: Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Once you have legally lived in the UK for 5 years under an eligible work visa (e.g., Skilled Worker), you can apply for ILR — which is permanent resident status.
ILR Eligibility:
- 5 years of continuous lawful stay
- No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- Meet the B1 English level
🕐 ILR processing takes 6–12 weeks
💰 Fee: ~£2,885 (as of 2025)
🛂 Step 4: British Citizenship
After holding ILR for 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship.
Citizenship Requirements:
- ILR status for at least 12 months
- Lived in the UK for at least 5 years
- Good character and immigration history
- English + Life in the UK test
📝 Naturalisation application fee: £1,500+
🧾 You will receive a British passport after approval
🔄 Summary: Settlement Route After Study
| Phase | Duration | Visa Type |
|---|---|---|
| Study | 1–4 years | Tier 4 / Student Visa |
| Post-study | 2 years (3 for PhD) | Graduate Route |
| Work | 5 years | Skilled Worker Visa |
| PR | After 5 years | ILR (Permanent Residency) |
| Citizenship | 6th year | British Passport Holder |
⚠️ Important Tips
- You cannot settle directly through a Graduate Visa — it is only a temporary bridge
- Switching to a Skilled Worker visa as early as possible improves your settlement timeline
- Look for sponsoring employers early in your graduate visa period
- Avoid long absences from the UK during your stay
🧠 Final Thoughts
Yes, you can settle in the UK after study — but only if you take the right steps. The Graduate Route gives you time and flexibility to find a job, and the Skilled Worker visa sets you on the path to permanent residency and citizenship.
✅ Focus on employability while studying
✅ Build a strong CV for UK employers
✅ Understand the switch from study to work to PR