Pathways to Post-Graduation Work: Comparing US OPT, UK Graduate Visa, Canada PGWP, Australia Subclass 485, and Hong Kong IANG

After completing your university studies, many students plan to work locally for a while to gain overseas work experience. The US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong all offer post-graduation work options for recent graduates, but the duration, conditions, and application timelines vary significantly and have been adjusted in recent years. Based on official government websites, this article compares the main pathways to stay and work after graduation, helping you clarify your post-graduation plans when choosing a country and major.

I. Overview of the Five Regions

II. US: OPT and STEM OPT

• Each higher degree level grants 12 months of OPT; eligible STEM majors can extend for another 24 months, up to 36 months total;
• Work must be related to your major; cumulative unemployment during post-completion OPT cannot exceed 90 days, and no more than 150 days including STEM OPT;
• STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify and complete a training plan (Form I-983) with you;
• Cap-Gap extension may apply if your employer files a qualifying H-1B petition for you.

For application steps and timelines, see our guide on How to Apply for US OPT.

III. UK: Graduate Visa

• Requirements: Be inside the UK on a student visa, having completed a UK bachelor's, master's, or other eligible program, and your school has reported your successful completion to the Home Office;
• Duration: 2 years if applied on or before December 31, 2026; 18 months if applied on or after January 1, 2027; 3 years for PhD;
• When to apply: Must be submitted before your student visa expires;
• Fees: Application fee is £937, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, typically £1,035 per year;
• Cannot be extended, but you can switch to other visas, such as the Skilled Worker visa.

For students graduating in 2026, applying by the end of 2026 grants 2 years; waiting until 2027 means only 18 months.

IV. Canada: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

• Duration: Programs under 8 months are ineligible; 8 months to under 2 years generally match the program length up to the maximum; 2 years or more can get 3 years. Master's degrees (at least 8 months) can get 3 years even if under 2 years;
• Once in a lifetime: If you have already received a PGWP for a previous program, you cannot get another;
• When to apply: Within 180 days after final grades are issued, and your study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 days;
• Language requirements: Bachelor's, master's, and PhD graduates must reach Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four skills; college and other programs require CLB 5;
• Field of study requirements: For study permits applied on or after November 1, 2024, bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs have no field restrictions; other programs must be in designated fields;
• Working during the application process is subject to conditions; refer to IRCC guidelines.

Since you only get one, plan ahead for which program to take first before applying for the PGWP.

V. Australia: 485 Temporary Graduate Visa

• Two streams: Higher Education Graduate stream (bachelor's and above), generally 2 to 3 years depending on the qualification; Vocational Education Graduate stream, up to 18 months;
• Age: 35 years old or under at the time of application;
• Student visa: Held a student visa within the past 6 months;
• English: Requires IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (higher than the 6.0 for student visas).

VI. Hong Kong: IANG

• Non-local graduates who completed full-time local degree programs in Hong Kong can apply within 6 months of graduation without a prior job offer;
• The initial stay is 24 months.

For details, see our guide on Hong Kong Student Visas and IANG. Singapore does not have a similar graduate work visa, but students who accept Tuition Grants (TG) must work in Singapore for 3 years after graduation; this is an obligation, not a visa. See our article on Singapore for details.

VII. How to Use This Information for Planning

1. Compare post-graduation options when choosing a country. If you plan to work locally for a few years after graduation, the duration and conditions of the post-graduation work permit are just as worth comparing as university rankings.
2. Consider extension eligibility when choosing a major. STEM majors in the US get an extra 24 months; in Canada, degree programs have no field restrictions, while other programs must be in designated fields.
3. Prepare language test scores in advance. Canadian degree graduates need CLB 7, and Australia's 485 visa requires IELTS 6.5, both higher than the thresholds for admission or student visas.
4. Mark application deadlines on your calendar. 60 days after graduation in the US, 180 days in Canada, 6 months in Australia, and before student visa expiration in the UK—missing any of these could result in losing eligibility.
5. Start building experience from day one of your studies. Internships during your studies are the most direct stepping stone to post-graduation employment; see What US Employers Look for in Recent Graduates for details.

Final Thoughts

The post-graduation work visa is the final step in university planning, but it's best to consider it from the very beginning. Rules in various countries have changed significantly in recent years, as seen with the shortening of the UK Graduate Visa. Before applying, always refer to the official website for the most current regulations.

If you need help with post-graduation career planning, resumes, or interviews, feel free to chat with our career counseling advisors.

Verification note: This article was verified in September 2026. The US section is cross-referenced with the OPT and STEM OPT pages of USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security's "Study in the States"; the UK section with the Graduate visa page on GOV.UK; the Canada section with IRCC's PGWP overview page (updated March 9, 2026) and application page (updated August 28, 2026), with application timelines, language, and field requirements based on search summaries from the IRCC website; the Australia section with the 485 visa page on the Australian Government's Study Australia website, and English requirements verified in our Australia articles; the Hong Kong and Singapore sections have been verified in our corresponding articles. Policies are subject to change; please refer to the latest official information.

References:

• USCIS: Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students
• Study in the States: F-1 STEM OPT Extension
• GOV.UK: Graduate visa
• IRCC: About the post-graduation work permit
• IRCC: PGWP – Who can apply
• IRCC: PGWP – How to apply
• Study Australia: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)