Figures in force

Changes since

The handbook

Figures in force

Nationality 4

Singapore and Malaysia: the UK work rules after study

Neither Singapore nor Malaysia is in the Youth Mobility Scheme.

Route summary
Graduate visa Yes, after a UK course; you apply before your Student visa expires

Authority GOV.UK guidance, Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk).

The passage relied on
You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
High Potential Individual Not with a UK degree; possibly with a degree from a listed university outside the UK

Authority GOV.UK guidance, High Potential Individual (HPI) visa: Eligibility (gov.uk).

The passage relied on
UK universities are not eligible. If you’re already in the UK on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa.
Youth Mobility Scheme No: neither country is in the scheme

Authority GOV.UK guidance, Youth Mobility Scheme visa: Eligibility (gov.uk).

The passage relied on
You can apply for the visa if you’re aged 18 to 35 and from:
The entrance front and dome of Old College at the University of Edinburgh, seen from South Bridge
Plate 25. The South Bridge front of Old College, University of Edinburgh. Photo: Stinglehammer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Adapted (greyscale, cropped).

These rules apply to Singaporean and Malaysian nationals studying in the UK or holding a UK degree. One paragraph below, marked in its first words, speaks to Singapore citizens planning UK study.

Neither country is in the Youth Mobility Scheme

Paragraph 1

Singapore and Malaysia are on neither Youth Mobility Scheme list; both lists are on the Youth Mobility Scheme page.

The Graduate visa after a UK degree

Paragraph 2

You apply for a Graduate visa from inside the UK, before your Student visa expires. It lasts 2 years if you apply on or before , or 3 years after a PhD or other doctorate.

Scheduled: Graduate visas applied for on or after last 18 months, except after a doctorate. (HC 1333)

5.26 The change to 18 months will apply to applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027, with PhD graduates continuing to receive three years of leave.
Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate, GR 8.1, substituted by Statement of Changes HC 1333 (APP GR3), in force 11 November 2025 (gov.uk). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Paragraph 3

A Graduate visa cannot be extended, but you may be able to switch to another visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.

You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
gov.uk guidance, Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

HPI with a degree from a listed university

Paragraph 4

For the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, what may count is a degree from a listed university outside the UK, awarded within the last 5 years; a UK degree does not qualify. The route is closed to anyone already granted a Graduate visa.

Paragraph 5

The newest list, published , covers degrees awarded from to . Its universities in Singapore and in Malaysia are below; earlier lists are in the HPI list finder.

Universities in Singapore on the High Potential Individual list for awards from to , published (gov.uk).
  • Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore)
  • National University of Singapore (NUS)
Universities in Malaysia on the High Potential Individual list for awards from to , published (gov.uk).

No university in Malaysia is on this list.

Paragraph 6

If you are a Singapore citizen planning UK study, a degree from a listed university in Singapore may qualify for an HPI visa, if awarded in the last 5 years.

English and salary after the Graduate visa

Paragraph 7

To switch to Skilled Worker from another visa, you need English at level B2. You usually need at least £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation code if higher.

History

  1. . Entry updated.
  2. . Entry first published.

Common questions

Is Singapore in the Youth Mobility Scheme?

No. Singapore is not on either Youth Mobility Scheme list, and neither is Malaysia.

Are NUS and NTU on the HPI list?

This note shows the universities in Singapore on the newest HPI list, with the date GOV.UK published it. Lists for earlier award years are in the HPI list finder.

Can Malaysian graduates of UK universities get a Graduate visa?

The Graduate visa rules are the same for every nationality. You apply from inside the UK, before your Student visa expires.

Can I get an HPI visa with a UK degree?

No. UK universities are not eligible. A degree from a listed university outside the UK may qualify if it was awarded in the last 5 years.

Sources

  1. Youth Mobility Scheme visa: Eligibility (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    You can apply for the visa if you’re aged 18 to 35 and from:
    You can apply for the visa if you’re aged 18 to 30 and from:
    You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa if you’re from:
  2. Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
    2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026
    18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027
    If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
    You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
  3. Statement of Changes HC 1333 (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    2 years if the applicant has successfully completed a course at UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level, or another relevant qualification that meets the requirement of ST8.1/2/3 of the Rules, and the application is made before 1 January 2027.
  4. Statement of Changes HC 1333: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    5.26 The change to 18 months will apply to applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027, with PhD graduates continuing to receive three years of leave.
  5. Skilled Worker visa: When you can be paid less (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    you’re currently in the UK on a Graduate visa (or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Graduate or visit visa was your most recent visa)
  6. High Potential Individual visa: Eligibility (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    UK universities are not eligible. If you’re already in the UK on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa.
    You must have been awarded your qualification in the last 5 years.
    You do not need to have a job offer to apply.
  7. Immigration Rules: Appendix High Potential Individual (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    HPI 1.6. The applicant must not have been previously granted permission under the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme, as a Graduate or as a High Potential Individual.
  8. High Potential Individual visa: Switch to this visa (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    You cannot switch to this visa if you’re on a Graduate visa.
  9. Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    If you’re applying to switch from a different visa, you need level B2.
  10. Skilled Worker visa: Your job (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher.
  11. Statement of Changes HC 997 (gov.uk). Checked .
    The passage relied on
    APP SW2. In row A of the table following SW 4.4, for “£38,700”, substitute “£41,700”.

How each figure is checked: Sources and method.

This is general information about the rules, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, use a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).