Graduate & Post-Study Visas allow professionals, entrepreneurs, and families to relocate to a new country through dedicated immigration programmes. In 2026, 17 countries offer at least one graduate visa pathway in our database, each with different income thresholds, processing timelines, and paths to permanent residency.
This page compares every graduate visa programme we track, sorted by difficulty score (1 = easiest, 10 = hardest). Use the table below to quickly identify which countries match your budget, timeline, and long-term goals. Click any country name to see its full immigration profile.
Country Comparison Table
| # | Country | Programme | Income Req. | Processing | Difficulty | PR Path | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) | — | 120–210 days | 3/10 | No PR path | Yes |
| 2 | Canada | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | — | 80–140 days | 3/10 | 3 yr | Yes |
| 3 | Denmark | Job Seeking Permit for Graduates | — | 30–60 days | 3/10 | No PR path | Yes |
| 4 | France | Post-Study Work/Job Seeker Visa | — | 40–70 days | 3/10 | No PR path | Yes |
| 5 | Germany | Post-Study Job Seeker Visa | — | 120–210 days | 3/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 6 | Ireland | Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) | — | 120–210 days | 3/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 7 | Netherlands | Orientation Year for Highly Educated Persons | — | 30–60 days | 3/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 8 | New Zealand | Post-Study Work Visa | — | 30–60 days | 3/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 9 | Sweden | Post-Study Work Permit (Extension to Seek Employment) | €2,700/mo | 120–210 days | 3/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 10 | Portugal | Post-Study Job Seeker Residence Permit | €1,083/mo | 30–60 days | 3/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 11 | Hong Kong | Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) | — | 14–21 days | 4.5/10 | 7 yr | Yes |
| 12 | Taiwan | Post-Study Work Rights | €1,148/mo | 7–21 days | 4.7/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 13 | Austria | Red-White-Red Card - Graduates | — | 30–60 days | 5/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 14 | Mauritius | Young Professional Occupation Permit (YPOP) | €1,111/mo | 56–84 days | 5.0/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 15 | United Kingdom | Graduate Visa | — | 28–56 days | 5.0/10 | — | Yes |
| 16 | Finland | Post-Study Work Permit | €800/mo | 21–60 days | 5.5/10 | 4 yr | Yes |
| 17 | Lithuania | Post-Study Work Permit | €12,456/mo | 45–90 days | 6.5/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
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Australia (1 programme)
- Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) — Post-study work visa. Max age 35. IELTS 6.5. Duration depends on qualification: 2-3 years. Stepping stone to skilled visas.
Austria (1 programme)
- Red-White-Red Card - Graduates — Red-White-Red Card - Graduates for Austria. For graduates of Austrian universities. Can extend student permit for 12 months job search, then apply for this card with job offer.
Canada (1 programme)
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for Canada. Open work permit - no job offer required. Duration depends on program length: 8 months to 2 years = same length PGWP; over 2 years = 3-year PGWP. Provides pathway to Canadian work experience for Express Entry. Major transition pathway from study to permanent residence.
Denmark (2 programmes)
- Job Seeking Permit for Graduates — Job Seeking Permit for Graduates for Denmark. Introduced April 2023, replacing 6-month Establishment Card with 3-year job seeking permit. Can work full-time while seeking permanent employment. Once job found, can apply for work permit and start immediately
- Establishment Card (Post-Study) — Post-study job-seeking permit for graduates of Danish higher education institutions.
Finland (1 programme)
- Post-Study Work Permit — Post-study job-seeking permit for Finnish degree holders. EUR 1,600/month minimum once employed.
France (1 programme)
- Post-Study Work/Job Seeker Visa — Post-Study Work/Job Seeker Visa for France. Allows graduates to remain in France for 12 months to seek employment or create business. Full work authorization during this period. Non-renewable. Must have graduated from French higher education institution with minimum Bachelor degree.
Germany (1 programme)
- Post-Study Job Seeker Visa — Post-Study Job Seeker Visa for Germany. Valid for up to 18 months. Allows unlimited work (full-time or part-time in any field) while searching for qualified position matching degree. Only for international graduates of German universities/vocational programs. Can switch to employment or Blue Card residence permit when qualified job found. Must apply before student permit expires to use fictional effect protection.
Hong Kong (1 programme)
- Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) — Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) for Hong Kong.
Ireland (1 programme)
- Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) — Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) for Ireland. Available for 12 months, extendable to 24 months for Masters graduates. Allows full work rights without employment permit. Must find job requiring permit or leave after expiry. Time on Stamp 1G as graduate does NOT count toward citizenship.
Lithuania (1 programme)
- Post-Study Work Permit — Post-study work permit for Lithuanian degree holders. 1-2 years. EUR 1,038/month minimum.
Mauritius (1 programme)
- Young Professional Occupation Permit (YPOP) — Young Professional permit for graduates. MUR 25,000/month minimum. Up to 3 years.
Netherlands (1 programme)
- Orientation Year for Highly Educated Persons — 1-year job search visa for graduates of top-200 universities or Dutch institutions. No salary requirement during search period.
New Zealand (1 programme)
- Post-Study Work Visa — Post-Study Work Visa for New Zealand. Allows NZ graduates to work for 1-3 years depending on qualification level. Bachelor graduates: 3 years. Non-degree Level 7 or lower: 1 year. Must be on approved list. Key pathway from study to residence.
Portugal (1 programme)
- Post-Study Job Seeker Residence Permit — 12-month residence permit for graduates of Portuguese universities to seek employment. Requires proof of subsistence (~EUR 13,000/year, 1.5x IAS). Full work rights. Fee EUR 93. Processing 30-60 days. Must apply from within Portugal after graduation.
Sweden (1 programme)
- Post-Study Work Permit (Extension to Seek Employment) — Post-Study Work Permit (Extension to Seek Employment) for Sweden. For graduates of Swedish higher education. 12-month permit to seek employment or start business. Full work rights during this period. Can apply for work permit once job found. Must apply while still in Sweden before student permit expires.
Taiwan (1 programme)
- Post-Study Work Rights — Post-Study Work Rights for Taiwan.
United Kingdom (1 programme)
- Graduate Visa — Post-study work visa for UK graduates. 2 years (3 for PhD). No salary requirement. No extension. Must switch to work route after.
Graduate Visas by Country
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries offer graduate visas in 2026?
As of 2026, 17 countries in our database offer at least one graduate visa pathway. Requirements, processing times, and costs vary significantly between countries.
Which country has the easiest graduate visa to obtain?
Based on our difficulty scoring, Australia currently offers one of the most accessible graduate visa pathways, though eligibility still depends on your individual circumstances.
What are the typical requirements for graduate visas?
Common requirements include proof of income or savings, health insurance, a clean criminal record, and passport validity. Specific thresholds (income, education, experience) vary by country and programme.
Can I bring my family on a graduate visa?
Many graduate visa programmes allow family accompaniment (spouse and dependent children). Some also grant work rights to spouses. Check the family column in our comparison table above.
How long does it take to get permanent residency through a graduate visa?
The path to permanent residency ranges from 2 to 10 years depending on the country. Some graduate visa programmes offer faster PR tracks than others — see the PR Path column in our table.
Explore by Region
- Europe Immigration Guide 2026
- Asia Immigration Guide 2026
- Americas Immigration Guide 2026
- Middle East Immigration Guide 2026
- Oceania Immigration Guide 2026
- Africa Immigration Guide 2026
See also: All Pathways by Country · Compare Countries Side by Side · Immigration Glossary
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Requirements change frequently — always confirm with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before applying.