Your post-study work visa is ending: a strategy for the last 12 months

A post-study work visa gives you time to get experience. But most of these visas cannot be extended. When the clock runs out, you need a new visa, usually one that depends on your job, your salary or your points.

Graduates who stay usually start planning a full year before the end. This guide shows you what to do, month by month, and what the next step looks like in each of our 10 destinations.

Why the last 12 months matter so much

Three things make the final year hard:

• Employers need time. Many sponsoring employers must apply for a licence, a permit or a labour-market check before you can switch. That can take months.
• Points take time. In Canada, Australia and New Zealand, permanent residence (PR) often depends on skilled work experience you build while on your post-study visa. If you start late, you may not have enough months.
• Most post-study visas are once only. The UK Graduate visa cannot be extended (GOV.UK). Canada's PGWP is generally a one-time permit.

Take a student from Bangladesh with a UK master's, a Graduate visa ending in June 2027, and a job paying £30,000. She needs to know now whether her job and salary could meet Skilled Worker rules, and whether her employer holds a sponsor licence.

Country by country: your visa, and what comes next

Each tab shows the post-study visa and the usual next routes. Numbers change often, so always check the official page.

The countdown: what to do and when

1. 1
   12 months leftMap your next visa

   Pick the one or two routes that fit you from the tabs above. Write down the salary, job level, points or experience each needs. Compare this with where you are today. Book a session with a licensed adviser if your case is not simple.

2. 2
   9 months leftClose the gap

   If your salary is too low, ask for a raise, a promotion or look for a better-paid job now. Retake your English test if you need more points. Check whether your employer holds a sponsor licence or will apply for a permit.

3. 3
   6 months leftGet the job offer in writing

   Your employer should confirm the job title, occupation code, salary and start date. In Australia, New Zealand and Canada, check your work experience will meet the minimum by the time you apply.

4. 4
   3 months leftPrepare and submit

   Gather payslips, bank statements, reference letters and your passport. Many routes let you stay while a decision is pending only if you apply before your current visa ends.

5. 5
   1 month leftDecide your backup

   If nothing is lodged, plan a lawful exit or another visa. Never overstay. An overstay can lead to bans that damage every future application.

What if you run out of time?

Sometimes the job offer comes late. Here are your usual options. Each depends on your exact case, so check with a licensed adviser.

Apply before your visa ends

In several countries, applying in time protects you while you wait:

• UK: If you apply for a new visa before your current one expires, you can usually stay while you wait for a decision.
• Canada: Applying for a new permit before yours expires can give you maintained status under the same conditions.
• Australia: An application made in Australia may give you a bridging visa until a decision is made.

Leave and apply from home

You can return home and apply for a work visa from outside the country. This is slower, but it is often safer than staying on the wrong visa. A job offer from abroad still counts.

Other visas

• Further study: A new, higher-level course needs a genuine study reason. Officers look closely at people who study again just to stay.
• Partner or family visas: Only if you really qualify.
• Visitor visas: These do not allow work. Do not use them to wait for a job.

Is your plan on track?

Common mistakes

Test yourself

What to do next

1. Write down your visa end date and count back 12 months.
2. Open the official page for your next visa from the tabs above and note the salary or points.
3. Talk to your manager about sponsorship early.
4. For your own case, speak to a licensed adviser in that country.
5. If you plan to study again, read our credibility interview guide and check the destination pages for the latest rules.

Rules change quickly. Follow our news page for updates in each country.