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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 eight countries and what to confirm for each.
Routes at a glance
| Country | Route | Job offer needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Third Level Graduate Programme | No |
| Germany | Job-search permit, Opportunity Card, EU Blue Card | No for the first two, yes for Blue Card |
| United Kingdom | Graduate Route, then Skilled Worker | No for the Graduate Route, yes for Skilled Worker |
| Canada | PGWP, then Express Entry or provincial programmes | No for PGWP |
| 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
Ireland
Non-EU graduates of a Level 8 degree or higher at a recognised Irish institution can stay under the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G). Level 8 graduates can stay up to 12 months, and Level 9 or 10 graduates up to 24 months, with a second 12-month extension that needs evidence of graduate-level job searching and Irish private health insurance. You can work up to 40 hours a week, but you cannot be self-employed. Apply after you have final results and while you are in Ireland.
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Germany
Graduates of German universities can usually receive a permit of up to 18 months to find a job. Others can look at the Opportunity Card, a points-based visa. If you find a job that meets the salary threshold, the EU Blue Card follows. See Germany Opportunity Card and work in Germany.
United Kingdom
The Graduate Route is two years today 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.
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. After that, Express Entry and provincial nominee programmes are the main paths to permanent residence. See employment in Canada.
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.
Singapore
The Employment Pass needs a job offer. The minimum qualifying salary for new applicants was raised to SGD 5,600 a month from 1 January 2025 (SGD 6,200 in financial services), and it rises with age. Applications are also scored under the COMPASS points framework. Thresholds are reviewed yearly, so check the Ministry of Manpower website.
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New Zealand
Graduates of New Zealand institutions can apply for a post-study work visa, with a length that depends on the qualification. 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? |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland Stamp 1G | Yes, at a recognised Irish institution | No, apply in Ireland after final results |
| UK Graduate Route | Yes, degree-level UK study | No, apply inside the UK |
| Canada PGWP | Yes, at an eligible institution | Usually from inside Canada |
| Australia Temporary Graduate visa | Yes | Check the Home Affairs rules |
| Germany Opportunity Card | No | Yes |
| Singapore Employment Pass | No | Yes, through the employer |
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 receives up to 24 months. She can work up to 40 hours a week but cannot be self-employed. If she needs more time, a second 12-month extension requires evidence of graduate-level job searching and Irish private health insurance.
Singapore: reading a job offer
| Offer (monthly) | Sector | Meets the 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 before 1 January 2027 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 after that date, she gets 18 months, so the search starts 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.
Do I need to study in the country first?
For graduate permits such as the Graduate Route, PGWP and Stamp 1G, yes. For Germany’s Opportunity Card and Singapore’s Employment Pass you can apply from outside.
How do post-study routes compare?
See post-study work routes by country.
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