# Post-study work visas compared

Compare countries · For students from India. Checked 15–18 October 2026, from UNIFER’s country guides. Reviewed by Devjot Singh, founder, UNIFER. Rules change: always confirm with the immigration authority before applying.

Page: https://uniferedu.com/study-abroad/post-study-work-visas

## 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](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/canada#after-graduating) | 3 years | PGWP: 3 years for a master’s; once only, not extendable | Any job |
| [Australia](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/australia#after-graduating) | 3 years | Subclass 485: 3 years for a master’s (Indian nationals); age 35 or under | Any job |
| [New Zealand](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/new-zealand#after-graduating) | 3 years | Post-Study Work Visa: 3 years for a master’s studied 30+ weeks in New Zealand | Any job (open work) |
| [United States](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/us#after-graduating) | 1 year (+2 STEM) | OPT: 12 months; +24 months for STEM degrees (STEM OPT) | Job related to the major |
| [France](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/france#after-graduating) | 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](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/spain#after-graduating) | 2 years | Job-search permit: 24 months, not extendable | Search for work or start a business |
| [Finland](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/finland#after-graduating) | Up to 2 years | Permit to look for work: up to 2 years, usable in up to 3 parts | Any job |
| [Ireland](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/ireland#after-graduating) | 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](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/uk#after-graduating) | 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](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/germany#after-graduating) | 18 months | Job-search permit: 18 months, not extendable | Any job |
| [Netherlands](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/netherlands#after-graduating) | 1 year | Orientation year: 1 year, apply within 3 years of graduating | Any job |
| [Sweden](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/sweden#after-graduating) | Up to 1 year | Job-search permit: apply before the study permit expires | Any job |
| [Belgium](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/belgium#after-graduating) | 1 year | Search year: 12 months, requested at the commune | Any job |
| [Denmark](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/denmark#after-graduating) | 1 year | Job-seeking permit: 1 year for permits applied for from 1 Oct 2026 (3 years before) | Any job |
| [Japan](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/japan#after-graduating) | 1 year | Job-hunting status: 6 months + one 6-month renewal, with the university’s recommendation | Up to 28 hours a week |
| [Italy](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/italy#after-graduating) | 9–12 months | Job-search permit (art. 39-bis.1) after an Italian degree | Unconfirmed while searching |
| [Poland](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/poland#after-graduating) | 9 months | Job-search permit: once, applied for in Poland straight after the diploma | Any job (graduates of Polish universities) |
| [Switzerland](https://uniferedu.com/study-in/switzerland#after-graduating) | 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.