Updated on
Graduating does not give you the right to work in another country. You need a permit, and each country sets its own conditions on sponsors, salary and experience. This guide lists the main routes for new graduates in nine countries and what to confirm for each.
Routes at a glance
| Country | Route | Job offer needed? |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Graduate Route, then Skilled Worker | No for the Graduate Route, yes for Skilled Worker |
| United States | OPT, then an employer-sponsored visa such as the H-1B | No for OPT, yes for H-1B |
| Canada | PGWP, then Express Entry or provincial programmes | No for PGWP |
| Ireland | Third Level Graduate Programme | No |
| Germany | Job-search permit, Opportunity Card, EU Blue Card | No for the first two, yes for Blue Card |
| Australia | Temporary Graduate visa, then employer-sponsored visas | No for 485, yes for sponsored |
| Singapore | Employment Pass | Yes |
| New Zealand | Post-study work visa, then employer work visa | No for post-study, yes for employer |
| Austria | Red-White-Red Card | Check the category you apply under |
Country details
United Kingdom
The Graduate Route is two years for applications made by 31 December 2026 and 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s graduates applying from 1 January 2027. PhD graduates keep three years. To stay longer you usually need a Skilled Worker visa, which requires a licensed sponsor and a job that meets the salary and skill rules. New entrants, such as recent graduates, have a lower salary level than experienced workers, and the figures have changed more than once, so read the current GOV.UK page before you accept an offer.
📌 Read More
United States
Most international graduates start on Optional Practical Training, which lasts 12 months, with a 24-month extension for eligible STEM degrees. Longer stays usually need an employer-sponsored visa such as the H-1B, which is decided in an annual registration. From 27 February 2026 the selection moves from a pure lottery to a weighted system that gives higher wage levels more entries. A proclamation signed on 29 September 2025 also created a US$100,000 fee for H-1B petitions, and it has been the subject of legal challenges. Whether the fee applies to your case depends on details such as where you are when the petition is filed, so ask an immigration attorney before you plan around the H-1B.
Canada
The PGWP can last up to three years, based on programme length. University graduates need English CLB 7, and college graduates need CLB 5 plus an eligible field of study. You must apply within 180 days of receiving written confirmation that you completed your programme. After that, Express Entry and provincial nominee programmes are the main paths to permanent residence. See our PGWP eligible programmes guide.
Ireland
Non-EU graduates with an Irish award can stay under the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G). A Level 8 graduate can receive a 12-month extension, and a Level 9 or Level 10 graduate up to 24 months in two 12-month blocks, subject to limits on total time on the student pathway. You can work up to 40 hours a week while you look for graduate-level work and an employment permit. Extensions are generally not given to allow a late employment permit application, so start your search early.
Germany
Graduates of German universities can usually receive a permit of up to 18 months to find a job, and they may work without an hour limit during that time. Graduates of other universities can look at the Opportunity Card, a points-based visa that lets you search for a qualified job for up to 12 months. It generally needs 6 points, or a fully recognised degree, plus proof that you can support yourself. If you find a job that meets the salary threshold, the EU Blue Card follows. For 2026 the standard Blue Card threshold is €50,700 a year. A reduced threshold of €45,934.20 applies to shortage occupations such as IT and engineering, and to recent graduates whose qualification is no more than three years old.
Australia
Degree graduates can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa. Employer-sponsored visas such as the Skills in Demand visa have their own experience and salary conditions, and a new graduate may not qualify straight away. Confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website.
📰 Similar Posts
Singapore
The Employment Pass needs a job offer. The minimum qualifying salary for new applicants has been SGD 5,600 a month (SGD 6,200 in financial services) since 1 January 2025, and it rises with age. From 1 January 2027 it is due to rise to SGD 6,000 (SGD 6,600 in financial services). Applications are also scored under the COMPASS points framework. Thresholds are reviewed regularly, so check the Ministry of Manpower website.
New Zealand
Graduates of New Zealand institutions can apply for a post-study work visa, with a length that depends on the qualification. Eligibility is widening from 16 November 2026. Longer stays need an employer work visa or another residence route.
Austria
The Red-White-Red Card is a points-based work permit with categories for skilled workers, shortage occupations and others. The conditions and points differ by category, so check the official Austrian migration portal before you plan around it.
Do You Need to Study in the Country First?
| Route | Study in the country required? | Apply from abroad? |
|---|---|---|
| UK Graduate Route | Yes, degree-level UK study | No, apply inside the UK |
| US OPT | Yes, in F-1 status | No, apply inside the US through your school |
| Canada PGWP | Yes, at an eligible institution | Usually from inside Canada |
| Ireland Stamp 1G | Yes, at a recognised Irish institution | No, apply in Ireland after final results |
| Australia Temporary Graduate visa | Yes | Check the Home Affairs rules |
| Germany Opportunity Card | No | Yes |
| Singapore Employment Pass | No | Yes, through the employer |
Salary Thresholds at a Glance
| Route | Figure | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Germany EU Blue Card, standard | €50,700 a year | Most professions, 2026 |
| Germany EU Blue Card, reduced | €45,934.20 a year | Shortage occupations and graduates within three years of qualifying |
| Singapore Employment Pass | SGD 5,600 a month (SGD 6,200 in financial services) | New applications until the end of 2026 |
| Singapore Employment Pass from 2027 | SGD 6,000 a month (SGD 6,600 in financial services) | New applications from 1 January 2027 |
The UK Skilled Worker salary levels are not listed here because they differ by occupation and the figures have changed. Check the current going rate for your job on GOV.UK.
Worked Examples
All are hypothetical and use the thresholds above.
Ireland: a master’s graduate
A graduate of a Level 9 master’s at an Irish university applies for Stamp 1G after final results and can receive up to 24 months in two 12-month blocks. She can work up to 40 hours a week while she searches for graduate-level work and an employment permit. She starts applying in her final term so that an offer arrives well before her permission ends.
Germany: reading a Blue Card offer
| Offer (yearly) | Situation | Meets a threshold? |
|---|---|---|
| €44,000 | IT role, degree finished last year | No, below €45,934.20 |
| €46,500 | IT role, degree finished last year | Yes, under the reduced threshold |
| €46,500 | Marketing role, degree finished five years ago | No, standard €50,700 applies |
The threshold in force on the intended start date of the job is the one that counts, so a contract signed in one year can fall short if the job starts after the figures rise.
Singapore: reading a job offer
| Offer (monthly) | Sector | Meets the 2026 minimum? |
|---|---|---|
| SGD 5,200 | Technology | No, below SGD 5,600 |
| SGD 5,800 | Technology | Yes, but the COMPASS points score must also pass |
| SGD 5,800 | Financial services | No, below SGD 6,200 |
The minimum rises with age, so a graduate in their late twenties or thirties faces a higher figure. Ask the employer to confirm the pass category and salary before you accept.
UK: moving from the Graduate Route to a sponsor
A bachelor’s graduate applying for the Graduate Route by 31 December 2026 gets two years. During that time she looks for a job with a licensed sponsor whose role meets the Skilled Worker salary and skill rules. If she applies on or after 1 January 2027, she gets 18 months, so the search needs to start sooner. Starting the search in the final year of study, not after the course ends, is the safer plan.
A Document Pack to Prepare
- Passport with enough validity for the permit period.
- Degree certificate and transcripts, with translations if required.
- Language test results if the route has a language rule.
- Job offer or employment contract, where the route requires one.
- Proof of funds or health insurance where required.
- CV and references, which also help in the job search.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Expecting a job-offer-free route for any country | Check whether the route needs a sponsor or a minimum salary |
| Waiting until graduation to start the job search | Start in the final year, since many sponsors recruit months ahead |
| Using unlicensed agents | Use government sponsor registers and official portals |
| Letting a permit lapse | Note expiry dates and apply for the next permit early |
| Relying on old figures | Salary and duration rules change. Read the official page the week you apply |
How to apply for a work visa
- Pick the route that matches your degree, field and country.
- Read the official eligibility page and note salary, language and experience rules.
- Update your CV and LinkedIn profile for the local market.
- Search for employers that sponsor visas in your field, and check that the sponsor is licensed or registered where required.
- Apply once you have the offer or the permit conditions are met, and keep copies of every document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a new graduate get a work visa without experience?
Some post-study routes need no experience, because they are built for graduates. Employer-sponsored visas often ask for experience or a minimum salary, though several countries set lower thresholds for recent graduates.
Do I need to study in the country first?
For graduate permits such as the Graduate Route, PGWP, OPT and Stamp 1G, yes. For Germany’s Opportunity Card and Singapore’s Employment Pass you can apply from outside.
Which route lasts longest without a job offer?
Canada’s PGWP can reach three years and US STEM OPT can reach 36 months in total. The UK, Ireland and Germany offer shorter periods, so compare them in our guide to post-study work visas by country.
Do these thresholds change?
Yes. Germany, Singapore and the UK all review their figures regularly, and some rise on a fixed date each year. Use the figure in force on the date of your application or job start, as the official page states it.
👀 You Missed
You Might Also Like
About the Author
No responses yet