Post-study work options across 11 destinations

The phrase “graduate work visa” is often used for three different arrangements, with very different practical value.

• A visa that permits relatively open work for a set period
• A residence permit that allows a graduate to stay and look for work
• Practical training authorisation restricted to work related to the graduate's field

What post study time actually buys

It creates a buffer between student life and the local labour market. A graduate may use it to find a first full-time role, build local experience, demonstrate value to an employer, and then explore a skilled, sponsored or longer-term route.

United Kingdom

Eligible graduates normally do not need a job offer or sponsor before applying for the Graduate visa and can undertake most work. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 normally receive two years. Applications from 1 January 2027 receive 18 months. Doctoral graduates continue to receive three years. The visa cannot be extended and a different route is needed afterwards.

Australia

Under the Post-Higher Education Work stream, a bachelor degree or coursework masters normally supports two years, while a research masters or doctorate normally supports three. Applicants are generally 35 or younger, with exceptions for research graduates and selected passport groups. Eligible regional graduates may access a further one or two years, and separate arrangements apply to Indian nationals.

Canada

An eligible program of two years or more may support a post-graduation work permit of up to three years. An eligible masters program of at least eight months may also support up to three years, even when the program is shorter than two. A school being a designated learning institution does not make every program PGWP eligible, and language or field-of-study conditions can apply.

United States

Standard Optional Practical Training is generally up to 12 months. Eligible STEM graduates can seek a further 24-month extension. Employment must be directly related to the field of study. Standard OPT generally allows no more than 90 days of unemployment and the combined total with STEM OPT is generally 150 days. A separate status is needed after OPT ends.

New Zealand

An eligible Level 9 masters or Level 10 doctorate studied full time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks will commonly support a three-year Post Study Work Visa. Other qualifications are assessed by level and study duration. Degree-level graduates generally have broader work rights, while some non-degree routes require work related to the qualification. New Zealand has announced further changes taking effect from 16 November 2026, so applications from that point must be checked against the updated official page.

Ireland

A Level 8 graduate may normally receive 12 months on Stamp 1G under the Third Level Graduate Programme. Level 9 and above may receive up to 24 months. Full-time employment is permitted but self-employment is not. A qualifying job and employment permission are still needed for a longer stay.

Germany

A non-EU graduate of a German university can apply for up to 18 months of residence to seek qualified employment. Other work can be undertaken while searching. Once a suitable skilled role is found, the graduate can move to a skilled worker permit or EU Blue Card. The search residence is generally not renewable.

Netherlands

Eligible graduates can apply for a one-year Orientation Year. They can work, complete internships or be self-employed, and an employer generally does not need a separate TWV. The year is not renewable, and a highly skilled migrant, entrepreneurial or other residence route is needed afterwards.

France

Graduates with an eligible French masters-level qualification may access a temporary job-search or business-creation residence route. Duration, work limits, connection to the qualification and salary conditions can depend on nationality, qualification and route, so the official guidance must be checked for the individual case.

Hong Kong SAR

An eligible non-local recent graduate applying under IANG within six months of graduation generally does not need a prior job offer and may receive an initial 24-month stay. Graduates can work and change employment. An application made more than six months after graduation will generally need a qualifying job offer.

Singapore

Singapore does not offer one open graduate work visa to every international graduate. Graduates from selected institutions may apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass to seek work, but the LTVP is not a work pass. An employer generally needs to secure an Employment Pass, S Pass or another suitable pass before work begins.

Ask more than how many years

• Whether the exact institution, campus and course are eligible
• Whether work is open or must relate to the qualification
• Whether the status provides work rights or only time to search
• What visa or residence route can follow when the period ends

The value of post-study time is the bridge it creates into a local labour market, and that bridge should be considered before choosing the course rather than after accepting an offer.