UK Graduate Visa for Swiss Students: Post-Study Work Options and 2025 Reforms

For many Swiss nationals studying at UK universities, the opportunity to gain work experience in the United Kingdom following graduation is a key part of the appeal of British higher education. The UK Graduate Visa, introduced in July 2021, was designed precisely to facilitate this kind of international post-study transition. Known formally as the “Graduate route”, this visa enables international graduates, including students from Switzerland, to remain in the UK for a set period to live and work after completing their degree.

This article offers a comprehensive update on the UK Graduate Visa as of May 2025, exploring current eligibility criteria, permitted activities, and proposed reforms. It also provides guidance tailored to Swiss students looking to stay and work in the UK after finishing their studies.

Understanding the UK Graduate Visa: What Is the Purpose of the Route?

The UK Graduate Visa route was established with the aim of making the United Kingdom more attractive to talented international students. At the time of its launch, the UK Government expressed a clear desire to ensure that those completing a UK degree would be able to remain in the country to build professional experience, contribute to the UK economy, and, potentially, transition into long-term work-based immigration routes.

For Swiss nationals, who benefit from a tradition of international mobility and multilingual academic training, the UK Graduate route provides a straightforward and unsponsored way to remain in the UK after completing a degree. Unlike many other immigration categories, the Graduate Visa does not require a job offer, sponsorship by an employer, or a minimum salary threshold.

UK Graduate Visa Requirements for Swiss Students

To qualify for a Graduate Visa, Swiss students must have successfully completed an eligible qualification in the UK—typically a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate diploma, master’s degree, or doctoral degree. The awarding institution must be a licensed student sponsor with a recognised track record of immigration compliance.

Importantly, applicants must hold valid leave under the Student visa route at the time of application and must apply from within the United Kingdom. It is not possible to apply for the Graduate Visa from overseas. Swiss students who previously held permission under the now-discontinued Doctorate Extension Scheme or who have already held a Graduate Visa will not be eligible to apply again.

This is a post-study work visa in the UK that is fully unsponsored, meaning there is no requirement to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or secure a specific job role before applying. This makes it an attractive option for recent Swiss graduates who may still be considering their career direction or seeking short-term employment opportunities.

What Work Activities Are Permitted on the Graduate Visa?

The Graduate Visa grants extensive work rights and is designed to allow complete professional flexibility during the permitted stay. Swiss graduates in the UK may undertake any form of work, including full-time employment, part-time employment, casual or temporary roles, internships, voluntary placements, self-employment, or business activities.

The only restriction on work is a prohibition on engaging as a professional sportsperson or coach. Outside this narrow limitation, there are no constraints on the sector, job type, or number of hours worked. A Graduate Visa holder may work for multiple employers or pursue entrepreneurial ventures without restriction. This makes the route especially suitable for graduates who wish to explore a variety of professional opportunities in the UK, including those who are still undecided about a long-term career path.

It is also worth noting that while employment is permitted, it is not mandatory. There is no legal requirement to secure employment under this route, allowing for time spent exploring different industries, networking, and building soft skills.

Studying While on a Graduate Visa

Although the Graduate route is primarily a post-study work visa, limited study is also permitted. However, Graduate Visa holders are not allowed to enrol in new courses with a Student Sponsor that would normally require a Student visa. In practice, this means you may be able to take short courses or professional training that does not meet the requirements of the Student route, but not a new full-time degree programme.

For Swiss nationals considering further academic study, it is important to weigh up the timing and structure of your educational plans. If you intend to begin another degree, you may need to switch back to a Student visa.

Duration of Stay on the Graduate Visa

The duration of stay granted under the Graduate Visa depends on the level of qualification completed. Swiss students who have obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a recognised UK university may remain in the UK for up to two years. Those who have completed a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) are eligible for a three-year stay.

However, this structure is due to change. According to the UK Government’s May 2025 White Paper on immigration, reforms are expected to reduce the standard Graduate Visa duration from two years to 18 months. These changes are likely to come into force later in 2025, so Swiss students graduating this year are strongly encouraged to apply promptly to benefit from the existing timeframes.

Does the Graduate Visa Lead to Settlement in the UK?

The Graduate Visa does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, also known as settlement. It is a temporary, transitional immigration route. However, time spent on this visa does provide a valuable opportunity to gain UK-based work experience and prepare for switching into a longer-term immigration category, such as the Skilled Worker visa or Innovator Founder visa.

For Swiss graduates who wish to build a long-term future in the United Kingdom, it is essential to plan ahead and consider the requirements of future visa routes that may lead to settlement.

Rules for Dependants on the Graduate Visa Route

Only family members who were already in the UK as your dependants under your Student visa are eligible to continue as your dependants on the Graduate route. It is not possible to add new dependants from outside the UK, with the exception of children born in the UK during your period of leave as a Student or Graduate.

According to a recent evaluation of the route, published in May 2025, only around 2% of Graduate Visa holders had dependants in the UK—most commonly partners. Of these, the vast majority were economically active.

Findings from the Graduate Route Evaluation and Government Review

In May 2025, the UK Government released a detailed evaluation of the Graduate route, alongside a broader immigration policy White Paper. This evaluation confirmed that the majority of Graduate Visa users found the route valuable, but many reported difficulties securing employment due to employers’ hesitations around visa sponsorship and the short-term nature of the visa.

The Migration Advisory Committee also conducted a rapid review in 2024, which concluded that the Graduate route should be retained in its current form. However, rising net migration figures and concerns about visa misuse—particularly related to dependants—have prompted the government to consider reforms, including reducing the length of stay and potentially imposing a levy on universities’ international student revenue.

These proposed changes are not yet in force, but Swiss students should be aware of the policy context and prepare for the possibility of a shorter post-study window in the near future.

Current Trends and Future Direction

Data from the UK Home Office shows that uptake of the Graduate Visa route has increased significantly, with nearly 250,000 main applicants recorded in 2024, up from fewer than 100,000 in 2022. The vast majority of graduates start working within six months of visa approval.

However, only about one-third of Graduate Visa holders are entering roles classified as graduate-level under the UK’s RQF Level 6 and above. This has prompted concern that the route is not fully meeting its stated policy goal of attracting and retaining highly skilled graduate talent.

As a result, the Government plans to refocus the route to ensure that international graduates, including Swiss nationals, are transitioning into jobs that contribute meaningfully to the UK economy.

Alternatives for Highly Talented Graduates

Swiss students graduating from prestigious institutions such as ETH Zurich or EPFL may also wish to explore the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, which is aimed at individuals with exceptional academic backgrounds. The UK plans to expand the number of qualifying universities under this route, making it a competitive option for highly skilled Swiss graduates.

The HPI route, along with the Global Talent visa and Innovator Founder visa, remains a core part of the UK’s strategy to attract international talent.

Legal Advice for Swiss Students on the UK Graduate Visa

At Richmond Chambers, we regularly advise Swiss students and other international graduates on post-study work options, including the UK Graduate Visa, the Skilled Worker route, and the High Potential Individual visa. Our specialist immigration lawyers in Switzerland and the UK can provide tailored legal guidance on your individual circumstances and help you plan a long-term immigration strategy in line with your career aspirations.

If you would like to discuss your eligibility for the Graduate Visa or upcoming changes to UK immigration policy, please contact us on +41 21 588 07 70 or submit an enquiry via our online contact form.