Student Support | Immigration and Visas | Visas for Graduation

This section explains how to travel to the UK to attend your graduation ceremony after completing your course.

It applies whether you:

completed your studies in the UK and later left the UK; or
completed your studies outside the UK (for example, by distance/online learning) and have never held a UK Student visa.

The correct immigration route depends on whether you currently have valid UK immigration permission, and (if not) whether you need a Standard Visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

If you intend to take further study in the UK please read the relevant section below, so that you can check if this is possible and what you need to do in terms of your immigration permission in the UK.

If you intend to work in the UK please see our webpage on working in the UK.

If you have valid UK immigration permission (including a Student visa)

You can travel to the UK using your current valid UK immigration permission (for example, a Student visa).

If you travel after your course has finished, a Border Force officer may ask why you are entering the UK - you should explain you are returning to collect results and/or attend your graduation ceremony.

Evidence to have available

You should carry evidence in your hand luggage confirming that you are due to graduate. This could include:

Emails or letters from your School confirming your results;
Your graduation invitation;
Confirmation of gown hire; or
An 'expects to graduate' letter, which can be requested via the Student Services Enquiry Form.

Important! If you have completed your course earlier than expected and your course completion has been reported to UKVI you must not use your current Student visa to travel to the UK as your visa may have been curtailed and may no longer be valid - even if the expiry date has not passed yet. In such cases, you will have been sent an e-mail by the Student Immigration Team notifying you of the report made to UKVI and this email will advise you not to travel back to the UK on your Student visa if you have left the country.

If you do not have a valid Student visa (including if you never had one)

This section applies if:

your Student visa has expired;
your Student visa has been curtailed;
you completed your course earlier than expected and we have reported this to UKVI meaning you cannot return to the UK on your Student visa; or
you completed your course outside the UK and never held a Student visa.

If you do not have valid Student immigration permission, you will need to return to the UK as a Visitor.

How you do this depends on your nationality:

Standard Visitor visa (visa nationals)

If you are a visa national, you must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling to the UK. You may also find the UKCISA website helpful for further guidance.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (non-visa nationals)

If you are a non-visa national, you must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK.

The cost is currently £16.

Important

Visitor permission (whether a Standard Visitor visa or ETA entry) allows you to:

attend your graduation ceremony;
collect documents; and
undertake other short, permitted visitor activities.

It does not allow you to remain in the UK long-term or switch to another type of visa while you are in the UK.

Evidence you should have available

Whether you apply for a Standard Visitor visa (visa nationals) or travel with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) (non-visa nationals), you must be able to show that:

that you wish to visit the UK for no more than six months;
that you intend to leave the UK at the end of the visit; and
you have enough money to support yourself while you are in the UK without working or accessing public funds.

You should include in your visa application (visa nationals), or carry with you when you travel (non-visa nationals), evidence such as:

An 'expects to graduate' letter which can be requested via the Student Services Enquiry Form.
Original bank statements for the last six months from your UK account or from an account in your home country to show that you have sufficient funds available to cover all your living expenses while you are in the UK.
Evidence of the purpose of your visit, such as your graduation invitation or gown hire confirmation.
Evidence of your intention to leave the UK, such as return flight bookings or a letter from an employer confirming you are expected back.

If you are eligible to enter via the eGates with an ETA you will not receive a visitor stamp in your passport so you must retain evidence of your arrival in the UK such as a boarding pass or flight ticket.