Post-study work in 2026: the 10 countries compared

For many students, the right to work after graduating matters as much as the degree itself. It is how you earn back some of your costs, gain international experience and, in some countries, start a path to a longer-term visa.

But the rules are very different from one country to the next, and several changed in 2026. This is a quick comparison of all 10 of our destinations. When you are already on a post-study visa and planning what comes next, read our full post-study work strategy guide.

The comparison at a glance

The chart shows the maximum post-study work period a typical master's graduate can get. Your own length depends on your course, its level and length, and sometimes your nationality.

What changed in 2026, and what is coming

Three changes matter most for students choosing a course now.

The UK is cutting its Graduate visa. Applications made on or after 1 January 2027 get 18 months instead of 2 years. Doctoral graduates still get 3 years (GOV.UK: Graduate visa). If you start a one-year master's in September 2026 or later, you will almost certainly apply after that date, so plan for 18 months.

New Zealand is widening eligibility. From 16 November 2026, a full-time Level 7 graduate diploma studied after a bachelor's degree will also qualify for a post-study work visa. This rule is not in force before that date. It still does not give a second post-study work visa to anyone who has already had one (INZ: post-study work visa).

Canada links the PGWP to your field of study for non-degree programmes. If you applied for your study permit on or after 1 November 2024, college diplomas, certificates and university postgraduate certificates must be in an eligible field of study. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees are exempt from this rule (IRCC: PGWP eligibility).

In the US, the rules around OPT and H-1B have also been moving fast. The H-1B lottery has been weighted towards higher-paid roles since 27 February 2026, and a court blocked a new DHS rule ending "duration of status" on 14 September 2026. Check the latest position before you plan. Our strategy guide tracks these details.

Country notes

United Kingdom

The Graduate visa lets you work at any level, for any employer, without a sponsor. It cannot be extended and you only ever get one. The fee is £937, plus the health surcharge, usually £1,035 a year. After it, most graduates aim for a Skilled Worker visa, which needs a job at degree level with a licensed sponsor and a salary that meets the rules. Graduates switching from a Student or Graduate visa may qualify as new entrants, with a lower salary threshold for a limited time.

Canada

The PGWP can last up to 3 years for most master's graduates. You can only get one PGWP in your life, and it cannot run past your passport expiry date. Most applicants need a recent language test: CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmark) for university degree graduates, CLB 5 for college graduates. Canadian skilled work experience on a PGWP is the main way into Express Entry through the Canadian Experience Class, which needs at least one year of skilled work.

Australia

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream usually gives 2 years for a bachelor's or coursework master's and 3 years for research degrees. Most applicants must be 35 or under. You generally cannot get a second 485 in the same stream as a main applicant. After it, graduates look at employer sponsorship through the Skills in Demand visa (482) or the points-tested 189 and 190 visas.

New Zealand

The post-study work visa lasts up to 3 years, and you can only hold one. You usually need to apply within 3 months of your student visa end date, and the fee starts from NZD 1,670. From 16 November 2026, a Level 7 graduate diploma after a bachelor's also qualifies. Since August 2026, the Skilled Migrant Category needs a maximum of two years of New Zealand work experience for most pathways, down from three.

United States

OPT gives 12 months of work per degree level, plus a 24-month STEM extension for eligible science, technology, engineering and maths degrees. You can be unemployed for no more than 90 days on OPT, or 150 days in total with STEM OPT. The main work visa after OPT is the H-1B, which uses a lottery. Speak to an immigration attorney about your options.

Ireland

Stamp 1G gives Level 8 (honours bachelor's) graduates up to 12 months and Level 9 and 10 graduates up to 24 months, normally given as 12 months and then a 12-month renewal if you show an active job search. Ireland is unusual: a Level 9 master's after a Level 8 degree can give a second period on Stamp 1G, within the overall time limits. The aim is a Critical Skills Employment Permit, which needs a listed job paying at least €40,904 from 1 March 2026, or €36,848 for recent graduates.

Germany

After graduating, you can get a residence permit for up to 18 months to find a job that matches your qualification. You may work in any job during that time to support yourself. The usual next step is the EU Blue Card, which has a lower salary threshold for recent graduates and shortage jobs (€45,934.20 in 2026). German language skills help a lot, both in the job search and for settling later.

UAE

The UAE has no general post-study work visa. Most graduates move to a work visa sponsored by an employer. A job-seeker visit visa of 60, 90 or 120 days lets some skilled workers and recent graduates of the world's top 500 universities look for work, but you cannot work on it. Outstanding graduates of accredited UAE universities may qualify for a Golden Visa.

Malaysia

Malaysia's Graduate Pass, run by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), gives 12 months to some nationalities. Bangladesh is not on the eligible list, so Bangladeshi graduates should plan for an Employment Pass sponsored by a Malaysian employer and start job hunting before their Student Pass ends.

Malta

As an EU member, Malta must let non-EU graduates stay for at least nine months to look for work or start a business, under EU Directive 2016/801. Once you have a job, your employer applies for a Single Permit, which combines work and residence. Confirm the current process with Identità before you apply.

How to use this when you choose a course

Post-study work should be one factor in your decision, not the only one. A long post-study visa is not useful if your course does not lead to jobs that employers want to fill.

• Match the course to a real job. Check the job lists and salary rules for the next visa, not just the post-study visa. The onshore course guide shows how to read shortage lists.
• Check the level and length. In Ireland, a Level 9 master's gives more time than a Level 8 degree. In Canada, a one-year programme usually gives only about a one-year PGWP.
• Remember "once only". In the UK, Canada and New Zealand you get one post-study work visa. Use it after the qualification that best matches your target job.
• Budget for English tests. Canada's PGWP and several next-step visas need recent test results.
• Plan the whole route. Study, post-study work and the next visa all need to fit together. That is what our strategy guide covers step by step.

Take Sadia, a Bangladeshi student with a 3.2 CGPA and IELTS 6.5 who wants to work in data analytics. A 20-month master's at a public university in Canada, an 18-month UK Graduate visa after a one-year MSc, and up to 24 months on Stamp 1G after an Irish Level 9 master's are all realistic. Which one is best depends on the jobs, salaries and next visas in each country, not only on the length of the post-study visa.

Do not miss the application window

Post-study visas have time limits for applying, not only for how long they last. In the UK, you apply from inside the country after completing your course, while your Student visa is still valid. In New Zealand, you usually need to apply within 3 months of your student visa end date. In Ireland, you must apply for Stamp 1G within six months of receiving your results, while your student permission is still valid. Miss the window and you may lose the visa completely, even if you would otherwise qualify. Write the dates in your calendar during your final term.

Common myths

Test yourself

What to do next

1. Shortlist two or three countries from the table and open each official page.
2. For each one, write down the next visa after post-study work and what it needs.
3. Choose a course that leads to jobs that meet those rules. Our career choice tool can help.
4. If you are already on a post-study visa, read the post-study work strategy guide today.
5. Follow our news page for rule changes, and see our destination pages for each country.

We cannot promise a visa, a job or permanent residence. But choosing your course with the whole route in mind gives you the best chance of using your post-study years well.