--- title: "Post-study work routes compared across countries | Arman Education" description: "Residence permits for seeking work or starting a business after graduation differ by country. We place the verified durations side by side; none is a job or residence guarantee." canonical_url: "https://armaneducation.com/en/guides/post-study-work-routes-compared" locale: en meta: "og:description": "Residence permits for seeking work or starting a business after graduation differ by country. We place the verified durations side by side; none is a job or residence guarantee." "og:image": "https://armaneducation.com/og/og-en.png" "og:image:height": "630" "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "Post-study work routes compared across countries" "twitter:image": "https://armaneducation.com/og/og-en.png" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://armaneducation.com/llms.txt) Planning # **Post-study work routes compared across countries** Residence permits for seeking work or starting a business after graduation differ by country. We place the verified durations side by side; none is a job or residence guarantee. 6 min read ยท Updated: 2026-10-23 ## Limits of this comparison Information comes from country data (2026-10-25 and earlier); laws change often. A permit duration is not a job guarantee; afterwards you usually need another route such as a work permit. Check the official page for timing and conditions. ## Verified durations - Germany: up to 18 months after successfully completing studies (Residence Act s. 20). - Finland: 2 years to look for work or start a business; apply up to 5 years after graduation; requires EUR 800 per month (EUR 19,200 for 2 years) (Migri, via search snippet). - Netherlands: zoekjaar, 1 year, not extendable; needs an accredited Dutch degree within the last 3 years, or a degree from a listed foreign institution. - Austria: one 12-month renewal of the student permit; then an employer-bound Red-White-Red Card for Graduates (up to 2 years; secondary-source detail). - Belgium: 12-month orientation-year permit. - France: 12 months for master's graduates (EU Immigration Portal). - Italy: 9-12 months (Legislative Decree 286/1998 art. 39-bis.1); conversion to a work permit is possible if requirements are met. - Hungary: up to 9 months, not extendable. - Switzerland: 6-month permit to look for work; afterwards only in shortage sectors. - Spain: switch to residence and work without a new visa (art. 190); the duration is not stated in the source read; development-cooperation scholarship holders are excluded. - Sweden: up to 1 year after at least two semesters of study; fee SEK 1,500. - Ireland: 12 months for level 8; level 9+ 12 plus 12 months (Stamp 1G). - UK Graduate route: 2 years if applying on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months from 1 January 2027; 3 years for PhD graduates. - Poland and Czechia: 9 months. - Cyprus: one university page states up to 12 months of related work; the procedure was not read and is not verified. ## Questions to ask - Is the permit granted only once and straight after graduation? Can it be extended? - Is there a financial requirement (for example Finland)? When does the period start? - Which work-permit route applies when it ends, and what salary or occupation conditions come with it? - If I hold a scholarship, can I use this route (excluded in Spain for development-cooperation scholarships)? ## Checklist - Did I check the application window on the official page of my target country? - Do I have a plan for after the permit ends? - Did I note the verification date? ## **Frequently asked questions** This guide is general information. Dates, fees and requirements can change; verify official sources before applying. ## **Let us plan the right path for your goals** In a free initial consultation we review your profile, budget and goals, and narrow down the countries and universities that fit you. [**Free consultation**](https://armaneducation.com/en/contact) [**How we work**](https://armaneducation.com/en/how-it-works) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/en#website","@type":"WebSite","inLanguage":"en","name":"Arman Education","url":"https://armaneducation.com/en","publisher":{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/#/schema/organization/1"},"workTranslation":[{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/tr#website"},{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/ru#website"},{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/ua#website"},{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/kk#website"},{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/az#website"},{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/ar#website"}]},{"@id":"https://armaneducation.com/en/guides/post-study-work-routes-compared#webpage","dateModified":"2026-10-23","datePublished":"2026-10-23","description":"Residence permits for seeking work or starting a business after graduation differ by country. 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