Work you can accept before, during and after your visa application

Find out how many hours you can work during the different stages of the Graduate route application process and when you can start a permanent full-time role.

Student work after the end of studies 

The Student visa rules allow you to work as an employee on a temporary basis.

During your programme's term-time, you must abide by your student visa weekly hour restrictions (usually up to 20 hours per week). 

Following the end of your programme, the Student visa rules allow you to work full-time hours until your visa expiry date. 

If you make a valid in-time application for a Graduate visa, your existing Student visa conditions (and work rights) just continue for longer until you've received a visa decision. 

Things to consider at the end of studies 

If you've applied for the Graduate visa and are waiting for a decision

There's an exception to the above student work rules where you can start a permanent full-time job whilst waiting for your Graduate visa decision.

The University of Edinburgh is a 'higher education provider (HEP/HEI) with a track record of compliance'. This permanent full-time job exception applies to Student visas issued for a 'HEP with a track record of compliance' as long as you also meet the following criteria:

  • submitted your most recent Student visa application on or after 6 April 2022
  • successfully completed your programme
  • our University has reported the successful completion of your award to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
  • submitted your application for a Graduate visa before the expiry date of your Student visa 

UKCISA guidance - Graduate visa conditions

If you have been granted a Graduate visa, you can: 

  • search for work
  • work in any profession, but not as professional sportsperson
  • take on a role at any level
  • work for any employer
  • be self-employed
  • allowed to travel in and out of the UK during the validity of your Graduate visa permission. A Graduate visa doesn't have any travel restrictions.

Graduate visa overview: what you can and cannot do

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