Post-study work visas compared in 2026: how long you can stay and work after graduating in 11 countries
Last reviewed 2026-10-21. Rules, fees and processing times in this area change often. Check the official source before you act, and tell us if something looks out of date.
For many international students the question is not only "what will the degree cost?" but "can I stay and work afterwards?" The answer differs a lot by country, and several countries have changed their rules recently. This guide compares post-study work routes as described in education-portal and government-linked summaries in October 2026. Rules change often, and the portals we used disagree in places, so confirm each point on the official immigration site before you commit.
At a glance
| Country | Route | Typical length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | OPT, then STEM OPT | 12 months; STEM extension takes it to up to 36 months | Work must relate to your field. Staying longer usually needs an H-1B |
| Canada | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Up to 3 years, tied to programme length | Open work permit. Degree graduates need CLB 7 language level |
| United Kingdom | Graduate Route | 2 years (3 for PhD), 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027 | Does not count towards settlement; you must switch to a sponsored route |
| Australia | Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) | Reported as 2 years (bachelor's), 3 (master's), 4 (PhD) | Rules on length and eligibility change; check current settings |
| Germany | Job-seeker permit | 18 months | Any job while you search; a qualified job leads to the EU Blue Card |
| Ireland | Stay Back (Stamp 1G) | Reports differ: 1 or 2 years depending on the level of degree | Any employment; Critical Skills Permit is the next step |
| New Zealand | Post-study open work visa | 1 to 3 years | Open work rights |
| Netherlands | Orientation year (zoekjaar) | 1 year | Any job; highly skilled migrant route after |
| France | APS | 1 year, renewable once for master's holders in some cases | Job should relate to your qualification |
| Japan | Job-search activities | Up to 1 year | Limited hours while searching |
| Singapore | Employment Pass | Employer-sponsored | No automatic post-study route |
Country notes
United States
OPT lets students work in their field for 12 months, and STEM graduates can extend it to up to 36 months in total. After that, most people need an employer to sponsor an H-1B, which is chosen by a wage-weighted lottery and is currently subject to court fights over a USD 100,000 payment. Read our H-1B update before you build a plan on it. Separately, DHS published a final rule on 17 July 2026 to end the "duration of status" system for certain students and exchange visitors, and a federal judge blocked it on 14 September 2026 while the case continues. Ask your school's international office what applies to you.
Canada
The PGWP is an open work permit, so you are not tied to one employer. The permit length generally follows the length of your programme, up to three years, and there is a language requirement of CLB 7 for degree graduates. Many graduates then apply through Express Entry, but check current programme and field-of-study conditions, and remember that Canada has capped study permits. See our Canada guide.
United Kingdom
The Graduate Route lets you work or look for work at any level. It does not lead directly to settlement, so most people need a sponsored Skilled Worker job. For applications from 1 January 2027 the route is shortening from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates, while PhD graduates keep three years. See our UK guide.
Australia
Subclass 485 allows full work rights for 2 to 4 years in reported summaries, depending on your qualification. It does not itself count towards permanent residence, but the work experience can help with a points-based application. See our Australia guide.
Germany
Graduates can stay for 18 months to find a qualified job, working in any job while they search. A qualifying job can lead to the EU Blue Card, where the 2026 salary thresholds are about EUR 45,300 in general and EUR 41,042 for shortage occupations. See our Blue Card post.
Ireland, the Netherlands, France and others
Ireland's Stay Back permission and the Netherlands' orientation year are straightforward, and Ireland leads to the Critical Skills Permit. France requires the job to relate to your degree. Japan, South Korea and several others give a limited job-search period.
How to choose
- Do you want to stay for the long term? If yes, check how each route leads to permanent residence, not only the length of the work permit.
- How strict is the next step? The US needs the lottery, the UK needs sponsorship, and Germany and Canada have more direct paths for qualified graduates.
- How likely is the rule to change? The UK and US have both changed or tried to change student rules recently. Choose a plan that still works if the post-study route gets shorter.
- Does your field match? Australia's and Germany's routes lean on shortage lists or qualified jobs.
- What does it cost to stay? Add visa fees, health surcharges and the time you may spend between jobs.
Planning checklist
- Read the official government page for the route and the date you would apply.
- Confirm your university's graduation date and any course-length requirements.
- Keep proof of your degree, transcripts and funds.
- Start your job search and employer conversations in your final year.
- Have a backup route, such as a master's degree, a different country, or a work visa for which you qualify.
Our engineering abroad guide and MBBS guide cover country choice for those degrees.
Visa Ray is a rule-based reference tool, not a law firm. Rules and fees change, so always confirm current figures with the official government source before you apply. You can run a free assessment on Visa Ray to see which pathways fit your profile.
