Study
How long you can stay and work after graduating, and whether it leads anywhere.
AbroadMaster research from official post-study work visa pagesVerified August 2026
The single most important page on this site if you are choosing a study destination. A degree becomes a migration route only when the country lets you stay and work afterwards.
Up to 3 years
Stay-back period after graduation
PGWP length follows programme length, and it counts towards PR
Up to 3 years
Stay-back period after graduation
Post Study Work Visa, open work rights
2 to 3 years
Stay-back period after graduation
Temporary Graduate visa, longer for regional study
| Rank | Country | Stay-back period after graduation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th place | GermanyJob seeker residence permit, converts to a work permit or Blue Card | 18 months | Job seeker residence permit, converts to a work permit or Blue Card |
| 5th place | United KingdomGraduate route, but it does not itself count towards settlement | 2 years | Graduate route, but it does not itself count towards settlement |
| 6th place | IrelandThird Level Graduate Programme, masters graduates get the full two years | Up to 2 years | Third Level Graduate Programme, masters graduates get the full two years |
| 7th place | NetherlandsOrientation year, usable any time within three years of graduating | 1 year | Orientation year, usable any time within three years of graduating |
| 8th place | FranceAPS residence permit for masters graduates | 1 year | APS residence permit for masters graduates |
| 9th place | SwedenResidence permit to look for work or start a business | 1 year | Residence permit to look for work or start a business |
| 10th place | JapanDesignated Activities status for job hunting, extendable once | 1 year | Designated Activities status for job hunting, extendable once |
AbroadMaster research from official post-study work visa pages
Verified August 2026
Compiled by AbroadMaster from the official pages of each country named above. There is no single published index behind this list, and we are not claiming one.
This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and figures change without notice. Confirm anything you plan to act on with the official authority for that country, and check your own position with the eligibility checker.
Where a degree, the cost of getting it, and the right to stay afterwards line up.
Quality of public education and access to higher education, judged as a system.
University quality, student mix, affordability and graduate hiring, scored per city.
