Graduate visa: Indian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Indian citizens living in the United States need a UK Graduate visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
Lets you stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing an eligible course on a Student visa, without needing a job offer or sponsor.
- Validity
- A Graduate visa lasts for 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026; if you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
- Entries
- You can travel abroad and return to the UK during your visa; it cannot be extended.
- Max stay per visit
- 2 years (3 years with a PhD or other doctoral qualification).
When to start
Start 56 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
You must be in the UK, your current visa must be a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, and your education provider must have told the Home Office you've successfully completed your course.
Your education provider (such as your university or college) must have told the Home Office you've successfully completed your course before you apply.
You must apply online for a Graduate visa before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires. It costs the £937 application fee plus the healthcare surcharge.
Once you've applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you'll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
As part of your application, you'll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
What you'll need
- Valid passport or travel document — A valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- CAS reference number — Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when you applied for your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. ✓ verified
- Biometric residence permit (BRP) or eVisa proof — Online proof of your immigration status if you have an eVisa, or your biometric residence permit (BRP). ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
Fees
| Graduate visa application fee | GBP 937 |
Gotchas to watch
- You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
- You cannot extend your Graduate visa — switch to a different visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, to stay longer.