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UK Post-Study Visa (Graduate Visa)

The UK’s Graduate visa allows Malaysian students to apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, upon graduation. Malaysian students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after their studies. PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to three years.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Malaysians students who want to take their next steps into employment in the UK.

You can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:

You are in the UK
Your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
You studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
Your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course

When you apply, you need to provide:

A valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality
Your biometric residence permit (BRP), if you were given one when you applied for your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when you applied for your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa

Steps To Apply For Graduate Visa

STEP 1: Apply for a Graduate visa

You must apply online for a Graduate visa.
Check which documents you will need to apply.
Your dependents will need to apply separately.

STEP 2: Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity.
You usually do this by scanning your biometric residence permit (BRP) with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app. If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, scan your passport instead.
You will need to sign into an existing UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, or create a new one.
If you cannot scan your BRP or passport with the app, you will be asked to get your fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.
You will be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment, the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

STEP 3: Save your application

Once you have started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

STEP 4: Wait for the decision on your application

Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

You will be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified
of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

STEP 5: After you apply for a Graduate visa

You can ask to cancel your application. You will only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You will get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.