Step 4: Wait for and receive a decision

You cannot leave the UK until you get the decision from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Stay in the UK while you wait for a decision

You must stay in the UK and wait on the decision for your Graduate visa application. You can work in line with the conditions of the Graduate visa as soon as you have submitted your application. 

You can remain in the UK legally whilst you wait for a visa decision if you have made a valid visa application from inside the UK (meet requirements and applied before/by your student visa expiry date). Your student visa conditions would keep continuing until you receive your new Graduate visa decision. 

You will usually receive a decision within 8 weeks (standard service). 

Otherwise, you may want to consider paying £500 extra for a faster priority service (5 working days) - if available by date of application. 

Faster priority service

Work conditions whilst you wait for a decision

Impact of overseas travel before you get a decision from UKVI

If you leave the UK after you apply and before receiving a Graduate visa decision, your application will be treated as being withdrawn. You might then no longer be able to get a Graduate visa. 

Queries while you wait on a decision 

Unfortunately, we cannot influence how quickly UKVI process your application. As we do not sponsor this visa, we are not able to contact UKVI on your behalf.    

Check the UKVI processing times 

Receiving your visa

However you apply, you will receive:

  • UKVI visa decision letter by email
  • access to a UKVI online eVisa account. with an eVisa account, you can generate a share code to securely share your visa status with others (such as employers). online record of your immigration status. The 'eVisa' is an online record of your UK immigration status. 

Find out more about the online eVisa system

If your application gets refused or rejected 

If your visa application gets refused or rejected as invalid, then you could seek external legal advice. 

The University does not endorse or recommend any specific firm/adviser or services they offer.  You should make direct contact and satisfy yourself about the quality of firms/advisers before agreeing to legal advice.   

Find a solicitor through the Law Society of Scotland 

Find an immigration advisor registered with the Immigration Advice Authority

 Most regulated advisers will charge a fee for services. You should be told about costs from the start. 

Visa costs 

Find out how much a Graduate visa costs 

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