Graduate Route Visa: Work in UK for 2 Years After Graduation

What Is the Graduate Route?

The Graduate Route is the UK's post-study work visa, launched in July 2021. It allows graduates of UK universities to stay and work for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) without needing employer sponsorship. This is a game-changer for Nepali students — it transforms a UK degree from a short-term educational investment into a career-launching platform with real professional experience.

Key Features

• Duration: 2 years for Bachelors and Masters graduates; 3 years for PhD graduates
• Sponsorship: None required — you can work for any employer
• Salary: No minimum salary requirement
• Job type: Any role, any industry, any skill level
• Switching jobs: Unlimited — change employers freely
• Self-employment: Allowed
• Extension: Not possible — it is a one-time, fixed-duration visa

How to Apply

1. Complete your degree (your university confirms completion)
2. Apply online while in the UK (before your Student visa expires)
3. Pay the visa fee (£822) and IHS (£1,035/year — £2,070 for 2 years)
4. Provide biometric information (often reuse existing biometrics)
5. Wait for decision (approximately 8 weeks)

Total cost: £2,892 for 2-year Graduate Route.

What Jobs Can You Do?

Anything. Common sectors for Nepali graduates in the UK:

• Technology: Software engineers, data analysts, IT consultants (London, Manchester, Edinburgh)
• Finance: Analysts, accountants, banking roles (London, Edinburgh)
• Engineering: Civil, mechanical, electrical engineers (Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol)
• Healthcare: NHS roles, research positions (nationwide)
• Consulting: Management consultants, strategy analysts (London)
• Education: Teaching, research assistants, tutoring (nationwide)

Salary Expectations

Entry-level salaries for international graduates in the UK:

• Software Developer: £30,000-50,000
• Data Analyst: £28,000-40,000
• Mechanical Engineer: £27,000-38,000
• Financial Analyst: £30,000-45,000
• Marketing Executive: £24,000-32,000
• NHS Clinical Role: £28,407-34,581 (Band 5-6)

Over 2 years of Graduate Route at an average salary of £32,000, you earn £64,000 (approximately NPR 1 crore). This often exceeds or matches the total cost of your UK degree.

After Graduate Route: What Next?

You have several options:

1. Skilled Worker Visa: Your employer sponsors you. Requirements: licensed sponsor employer, job at RQF Level 3+, minimum salary of £38,700/year (or going rate). Leads to permanent residency after 5 years.
2. Global Talent Visa: If you have exceptional talent in science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, or arts. No sponsorship needed.
3. Innovator Founder Visa: If you want to start a business in the UK.
4. Return to Nepal: Your UK degree + 2 years of UK work experience make you highly competitive in Nepal's job market, especially for international organizations, multinational companies, and senior government positions.

StudyUK Nepal provides free guidance on Graduate Route applications and post-study career planning. Contact us for support.