Post-Study Work Visa by Country: UK, USA, Canada & Australia

How long can you work abroad after graduating? A country-by-country comparison of post-study work visas for Indian students.

United Kingdom — Graduate Route (2 years)

The UK Graduate Route gives you two years to work after your degree (three for a PhD), with no employer sponsorship needed to start. Combined with a one-year master’s, it’s a fast, low-cost route to UK work experience.

USA — OPT + STEM (up to 3 years)

The USA offers 12 months of OPT, extended by 24 months for STEM graduates — up to three years — after which most move to the H-1B work visa.

Canada — PGWP (up to 3 years)

Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit runs up to three years and feeds directly into its Express Entry PR system — the strongest study-to-settle pipeline.

Australia — Temporary Graduate (2–4 years)

Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) can last two to four years depending on your qualification and where you studied, with a points-based PR route beyond it.

Which is best for you?

If you want speed, the UK; if you want the longest runway and PR, Canada or Australia; if you want top salaries and STEM, the USA. Compare them directly — UK vs USA, Canada vs Australia — or get a free recommendation.