Post-Study Work Visa Comparison: Where Can You Stay and Work After Graduating?

If you’re comparing post-study work visas, Canada and New Zealand offer the longest stay for most master’s graduates, at up to 3 years. Australia, Ireland, the UK, and Germany give between 18 months and 2 years; France gives 12 months, and the UAE has no dedicated route.

Knowing how long you can stay, and which visa comes next, helps you choose a destination that fits your career goals.

How Do Post-Study Work Visas Compare at a Glance?

Bachelor’s graduates often get less: Ireland gives 12 months for a Level 8 honours degree, and Canada matches your programme length, up to 3 years.

How Does the Post-Study Work Visa Work in Each Country?

UK Graduate Visa

The UK Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31st December 2026 and 18 months if you apply from 1st January 2027, with PhD graduates receiving 3 years. According to GOV.UK, you must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires, and you can’t extend it, although you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa. The application fee is £937, plus a healthcare surcharge that’s usually £1,035 for each year.

Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit

Canada’s PGWP lasts up to 3 years, and IRCC confirms master’s graduates can receive 3 years even if their programme was under 2 years. It’s an open work permit. University graduates need Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, Canada’s scale for English ability, while college graduates need CLB 5 and, for most non-degree programmes, a course in an eligible field.

New Zealand Post Study Work Visa

New Zealand’s Post Study Work Visa lasts up to 3 years, and Immigration New Zealand grants the full 3 years to master’s and doctoral graduates who studied there for at least 30 weeks. Degree graduates can work for any employer, and you can only hold this visa once.

Australia Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Australia’s Post-Higher Education Work stream usually allows 2 to 3 years, depending on your qualification. Study Australia states you must be aged 35 or under (exceptions apply) and have held a Student visa in the last 6 months. You can work unrestricted hours, and regional study and residence may unlock a second visa of 1 to 2 years.

Some nationalities receive different stay periods under bilateral arrangements, so check the Department of Home Affairs for the terms that apply to you, and see our guide to studying in Australia.

Ireland Stamp 1G

Ireland’s Stamp 1G gives 12 months after a Level 8 honours bachelor’s and up to 24 months after a Level 9 master’s or Level 10 PhD on Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications. As Ireland’s Immigration Service sets out, master’s graduates receive 12 months first, and renewal depends on showing you’ve actively sought graduate-level work. You can work full time without an employment permit. Find out more in our guide to studying and working in Ireland.

Germany Job-Seeker Residence Permit

Germany gives graduates of German universities up to 18 months to find skilled work, and Make it in Germany confirms you can take any job while you search. Once you find a qualified role, you switch to a skilled-worker permit or EU Blue Card. Public universities charge little or no tuition, but your student visa needs a blocked account of at least €11,904 in 2026. See our breakdown of the cost of studying in Germany.

France RECE Job-Search Permit

France’s “Recherche d’emploi ou création d’entreprise” (RECE) permit lasts 12 months, can’t be renewed, and lets eligible graduates work while they look for a job or start a business. Service-Public.fr limits it to master’s-level and professional bachelor’s graduates, and general bachelor’s graduates need a job offer before switching.

Graduates of some nationalities can use a bilateral agreement instead, which may offer different terms, so check what applies to you before you apply.

UAE: Employer Sponsorship and Golden Visa

The UAE doesn’t offer a post-study work visa, so most graduates move into an employer-sponsored work visa. A 60- to 120-day job-exploration visit visa exists for recent graduates of top 500 universities, but it isn’t a work permit. High achievers may qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa; the Abu Dhabi criteria require a GPA of at least 3.5 from an A-classified UAE university or 3.8 from a B-classified one.

Which Country Is Best for Your Profile?

There’s no single winner. Use these scenarios to narrow your shortlist:

• If you want the longest runway after a one-year master’s, compare Canada and New Zealand, which can both give 3 years.
• If budget comes first, look at Germany’s public universities, and plan to learn German for the wider job market.
• If you’re over 35, check Australia’s age rule before applying, as it applies to most coursework graduates.
• If you want an English-speaking European hub, compare Ireland’s 24 months with the UK’s 18 months.
• If you’re aiming for the UK from 2027, plan for 18 months and target licensed sponsors early.
• If you’re drawn to the UAE, build your plan around employer sponsorship from the start.

What Happens After Your Post-Study Work Visa Ends?

A post-study permission is a bridge, not permanent residence. To stay longer, you’ll usually need a qualifying job and a new visa.

In Australia and New Zealand, the main routes are employer-sponsored and skilled residence visas, such as Australia’s Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, with criteria that change regularly. The UAE offers renewable residence rather than standard permanent residence. For Canada, see our guide to PR after study.

Do Some Subjects Have an Advantage After Graduation?

Some fields benefit from lower salary thresholds or targeted routes, but none guarantee a job or sponsorship:

• Germany’s EU Blue Card shortage list includes academic STEM professionals, ICT managers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and teachers, who qualify at the lower salary threshold.
• The UK’s Immigration Salary List lowers the salary requirement for listed jobs, and graduates switching from a Graduate visa can use the reduced new entrant rate.
• Healthcare, law, teaching, and engineering roles often require professional registration in the destination country, so check the relevant professional body if you plan to practise elsewhere.

How Should You Plan Your Post-Study Work Route?

1. Confirm your course qualifies before you accept an offer.
2. Note your application deadline, which is usually before your student permission expires.
3. Budget for tuition, living costs, and several months of job searching, and explore education loans and funding options early.
4. Start applying for jobs in your final term, targeting employers who can sponsor you.
5. Check your university’s official application calendar for your preferred intake.
6. Apply for your next visa well before your post-study permission ends.

Plan Your Career Beyond Graduation With StudyIn

Post-study work rules change often, and the right destination depends on your degree, budget, and career goals. StudyIn, formerly SI-UK, has over 20 years of experience guiding international students to universities across the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Europe, and beyond.

Our counsellors help you compare post-study routes, shortlist courses that meet visa eligibility rules, and support you through applications, scholarships, financial evidence, visas, and pre-departure. Our service is free from your first session to the day you leave, so book a free session to build a shortlist that fits your plans after graduation.

FAQs

Which Country Offers the Longest Post-Study Work Visa?

Canada and New Zealand, at up to 3 years for taught master’s graduates. Australia can offer more to research graduates or after regional study.

What Is the Stay-Back Period After a Master’s Degree?

It ranges from 12 months in France to 3 years in Canada and New Zealand, with Ireland, Australia, the UK, and Germany in between.

Which Countries Offer a Post-Study Work Visa Without a Job Offer?

Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, the UK, Germany, and France all let eligible graduates apply without a job offer. The UAE is the exception, as most graduates need employer sponsorship.

Can You Extend the UK Graduate Visa?

No. You can’t extend a Graduate visa, but you may be able to switch to another visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, before it expires.

Which Country Is Easiest for Permanent Residence After Studying?

No country is easiest for everyone. Canada’s Canadian Experience Class needs 1 year of skilled Canadian work, Ireland allows Stamp 4 after 21 months on a Critical Skills permit, and German graduates can seek settlement after more than 2 years of work.

Does the USA Offer Post-Study Work Opportunities?

Yes, through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which gives up to 12 months of work authorisation, with a 24-month extension for eligible STEM graduates. OPT rules have been under review, so check Study in the States for the current position.

Can a Partner Work While Accompanying a Graduate?

It depends on the country. New Zealand lets partners apply for a work visa and Australia lets you include family, but the UK only allows partners who were already your dependants on your Student visa.

What Happens When a Post-Study Work Visa Expires?

You’ll need to switch to another visa or leave, so apply for your next visa before your current permission ends.

*Rules checked against official government sources on 9th October 2026. Immigration rules change often, so confirm your own eligibility using the official links in each section before you apply.