Post-Study Work Visa Options: UK, Canada, Australia & USA Compared

Quick Comparison Table

UK: Graduate Route Visa

The UK Graduate Route visa was introduced in 2021 and allows international graduates to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after completing their degree (3 years for PhD graduates).

• Eligibility: Must have completed a bachelor's, master's, or PhD at a UK university
• Work rights: You can work for any employer in any job — there is no requirement to work in your field of study
• Salary requirement: None — you can work in any role, including part-time or minimum wage jobs
• Application: Apply online from within the UK; fee is £700
• PR pathway: After working in the UK for 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa (which you can switch to from the Graduate Route), you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Key advantage: No employer sponsorship required. You can take any job, explore different industries, and switch jobs freely.

Key limitation: The Graduate Route cannot be extended. After 2 years, you must switch to another visa (like the Skilled Worker visa) or leave the UK.

Canada: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Canada's PGWP is one of the most generous post-study work permits in the world. The duration of your PGWP equals the length of your study program, up to a maximum of 3 years.

• Eligibility: Must have completed a full-time program of at least 8 months at a DLI
• Duration: 8 months to 3 years (equal to program length; programs of 2+ years get a 3-year PGWP)
• Work rights: Open work permit — any employer, any job, anywhere in Canada
• Application: Apply within 180 days of receiving your final marks; fee is CAD 255
• PR pathway: Canadian work experience gained on PGWP qualifies you for Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class) and Provincial Nominee Programs

Key advantage: The PGWP is an open work permit — you are not tied to any employer or occupation. And Canadian work experience is highly valued in the PR process.

Key limitation: The PGWP can only be issued once. You cannot get a second PGWP if you study again in Canada.

Australia: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Australia's Subclass 485 visa allows international graduates to live and work in Australia temporarily after completing their studies.

• Graduate Subclass (most common): 2 years for bachelor's/master's; 4 years for PhD
• Regional study bonus: If you studied in a regional area of Australia, you get an additional 1–2 years
• Work rights: Full work rights — any employer, any job
• Application: Apply within 6 months of completing your degree; fee is AUD 1,895
• PR pathway: Work experience on Subclass 485 contributes to points for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) and state-nominated visas

Key advantage: Longer duration than the UK Graduate Route, and the regional study bonus can extend your stay significantly.

Key limitation: Australia's PR process is competitive — popular occupations have high points cut-offs, and it can take 2–3 years to receive an invitation.

USA: Optional Practical Training (OPT)

The USA's post-study work option is the most restrictive of the four countries. OPT allows F-1 students to work in the USA for 12 months after graduation. STEM graduates get an additional 24-month extension (total 36 months).

• Standard OPT: 12 months for all graduates
• STEM OPT extension: Additional 24 months for STEM degree holders (total 36 months)
• Work restriction: Must work in a job directly related to your field of study
• Application: Apply through your university's international student office; USCIS fee is $410
• PR pathway: Very difficult — requires H-1B visa sponsorship (lottery-based, only 65,000 spots per year) and then a long green card process

Key advantage: The USA has the highest salaries for tech and finance professionals. If you get sponsored for an H-1B, the career opportunities are unmatched.

Key limitation: The H-1B lottery is highly competitive (only ~25% selection rate for Indian applicants). Without H-1B sponsorship, you must leave the USA after OPT ends. The green card backlog for Indian nationals is decades long.

Which Country is Best for Post-Study Work?

For Indian students prioritising post-study work rights and PR pathways:

• Best for PR pathway: Canada (most accessible through Express Entry and PNPs)
• Best for flexibility: UK (no job restrictions, easy to switch employers)
• Best for duration: Australia (up to 5 years with regional bonus)
• Best for salary (if you get sponsored): USA (but highly uncertain)