How long can I stay and work after a master’s?
After a master’s, Canada, Australia and New Zealand give the longest stay (3 years of open work). Spain and Finland give up to 2 years, Germany 18 months, the UK 18 months from 1 January 2027, and Switzerland the shortest, 6 months.
| Country | Time after a master’s | The permit | Work allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 3 years | PGWP: 3 years for a master’s; once only, not extendable | Any job |
| Australia | 3 years | Subclass 485: 3 years for a master’s (Indian nationals); age 35 or under | Any job |
| New Zealand | 3 years | Post-Study Work Visa: 3 years for a master’s studied 30+ weeks in New Zealand | Any job (open work) |
| United States | 1 year (+2 STEM) | OPT: 12 months; +24 months for STEM degrees (STEM OPT) | Job related to the major |
| France | Up to 2 years | APS under the India–France agreement: 1 year, renewable once | Job related to the studies, paid at least 1.5 × the minimum wage |
| Spain | 2 years | Job-search permit: 24 months, not extendable | Search for work or start a business |
| Finland | Up to 2 years | Permit to look for work: up to 2 years, usable in up to 3 parts | Any job |
| Ireland | 1 + 1 years | Stamp 1G: 12 months, renewed for 12 more for a master’s (Level 9) with proof of job-hunting | Any job |
| United Kingdom | 2 years / 18 months | Graduate visa: 2 years if applied by 31 Dec 2026; 18 months from 1 Jan 2027 | Any job or self-employment |
| Germany | 18 months | Job-search permit: 18 months, not extendable | Any job |
| Netherlands | 1 year | Orientation year: 1 year, apply within 3 years of graduating | Any job |
| Sweden | Up to 1 year | Job-search permit: apply before the study permit expires | Any job |
| Belgium | 1 year | Search year: 12 months, requested at the commune | Any job |
| Denmark | 1 year | Job-seeking permit: 1 year for permits applied for from 1 Oct 2026 (3 years before) | Any job |
| Japan | 1 year | Job-hunting status: 6 months + one 6-month renewal, with the university’s recommendation | Up to 28 hours a week |
| Italy | 9–12 months | Job-search permit (art. 39-bis.1) after an Italian degree | Unconfirmed while searching |
| Poland | 9 months | Job-search permit: once, applied for in Poland straight after the diploma | Any job (graduates of Polish universities) |
| Switzerland | 6 months | Job-search permit: 6 months, not extendable | Up to 15 hours a week |
For a master’s, studied full-time in the country. Bachelor’s, diplomas and PhDs differ: each country’s guide has the full rules and the official sources. Confirm with the immigration authority before applying.
Which countries let me work in any job while I search?
Most do. The exceptions: the US and France require a job related to your studies, Japan limits you to 28 hours a week while searching, and Switzerland to 15 hours a week.
What changed recently
- UK: the Graduate visa falls from 2 years to 18 months for applications from 1 Jan 2027.
- Denmark: the job-seeking permit falls from 3 years to 1 year for study permits applied for from 1 Oct 2026.
- New Zealand: graduate diplomas qualify only with a bachelor’s from 16 Nov 2026, for at most 1 year.
Choosing a country?
Each country guide has the full visa, cost and post-study rules for students from India. Or let UNIFER handle your applications for one flat fee.
Checked 15–18 October 2026, from UNIFER’s country guides; each guide lists its official sources. Reviewed by Devjot Singh, founder, UNIFER. Rules change: always confirm with the immigration authority before applying.