Quick answer
This page does not rank countries by job outcomes: those depend on your field, your languages and the local market. What the rules do fix is how long you may stay to look for work: up to 3 years in Canada and New Zealand, 2 years in Australia after a bachelor's or coursework master's, 18 months in Germany, and 12 months in the USA, plus 24 more for eligible STEM degrees.
The UK's Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027. Malaysia's Graduate Pass gives 12 months, and the UAE has no post-study work visa.
Compare work rights
Put two countries' work and post-study rules side by side.
Post-study work routes in 16 countries
The route each country offers after you graduate, as its immigration authority publishes it. The length is the longest standard stay; conditions apply.
| Country | After you graduate | Longest standard stay | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | OPT, 12 months. STEM OPT adds 24 months for eligible STEM degrees. | 12 months | USCIS, OPT |
| Canada | PGWP, up to 3 years depending on program length. College programs must be in an eligible field of study; a language test is required. | 36 months | IRCC, PGWP |
| UK | Graduate visa: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027; 3 years after a PhD or other doctorate. | 18 months | GOV.UK, Graduate visa |
| Australia | Temporary Graduate visa (485), Post-Higher Education Work stream: 2 years after a bachelor or coursework master, 3 after a research master or PhD (longer for Indian nationals). Apply aged 35 or under (under 50 for research master or PhD graduates). | 24 months | Home Affairs, Temporary Graduate visa |
| Germany | Residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job after graduating, if you can support yourself; you may work while you search. | 18 months | BAMF, graduates |
| Ireland | Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G): 12 months after a level 8 bachelor, 24 months after a level 9 or 10 degree. | 12 months | Irish Immigration Service, graduate programme |
| France | Temporary residence permit (APS) or job-search / business-creation permit for 12 months after a master's. | 12 months | Campus France, temporary resident permit (APS) |
| Netherlands | Orientation year (zoekjaar) of 12 months, applied for within 3 years of graduating. | 12 months | IND, orientation year |
| Italy | 12-month residence permit for job-seeking after graduating, convertible to a work permit. | 12 months | Universitaly, after graduation |
| Spain | Job-search or entrepreneur residence for 12 months after finishing; check the 2025 regulation for extensions. | 12 months | Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, immigration |
| Poland | A 9-month temporary residence permit to look for work after graduating from a Polish university, granted once. | 9 months | Office for Foreigners, graduate permit |
| New Zealand | Post Study Work Visa of up to 3 years, depending on qualification level. | 36 months | Immigration New Zealand, post study work visa |
| Japan | Designated Activities for job hunting: 6 months, renewable once, so up to 12 months. | 12 months | Study in Japan, after graduation |
| Singapore | Long-Term Visit Pass for 1 year to look for work; then an Employment Pass through an employer. | 12 months | MOM, Employment Pass |
| Malaysia | Graduate Pass: a 12-month pass after you graduate to stay, travel and work in permitted job sectors without employer sponsorship. After that, an employer must obtain an Employment Pass for you. | 12 months | EMGS, Graduate Pass |
| UAE | No post-study work visa. ICP lets students stay 180 days after their study period ends (Dubai's GDRFA lists 60 days' grace after the permit ends). Top UAE graduates can apply for a 10-year Golden Visa; others may qualify for a 60-, 90- or 120-day job-seeker visa, then need an employer-sponsored work permit. | 6 months | UAE Government, jobseeker visit visa |
Rules checked on 24 September 2026 against the official pages linked. They change: confirm on the linked page before you act.
What to do next
Check the conditions for your level of study before you choose: several routes are shorter after a bachelor's than after a master's or doctorate.
