TL;DR - Last Reviewed: 30 May 2026
- From 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa will be cut from 2 years to 18 months for Bachelor's and Master's graduates
- PhD graduates keep the full 3-year Graduate visa after January 2027
- The change applies to applicants from 1 January 2027 - those who apply before that date keep the current 2-year period
- The Graduate visa allows international students to work in any job after completing a UK degree
- After the Graduate visa, many switch to a Skilled Worker visa if they secure a sponsored role
What Is Changing and When
The UK Graduate visa, which allows international students to stay and work in the UK after completing a degree at a licensed UK university, will be reduced from 2 years to 18 months for Bachelor's and Master's degree holders who apply from 1 January 2027. Those who apply for the Graduate visa before that date will receive the current 2-year period. PhD graduates are not affected: the 3-year Graduate visa period for doctoral-level qualifications is being retained.
The change was confirmed by the House of Commons Library in its regularly updated briefing on changes to UK visa and settlement rules following the 2025 Immigration White Paper, last updated on 27 May 2026.
What the Graduate Visa Is
The Graduate route was introduced in July 2021 to allow international students who have completed a degree at a UK higher education provider with a track record of compliance to remain in the UK after graduation. It allows holders to work, or look for work, in any role and at any salary level. It cannot be extended and does not lead directly to settlement. Most graduates who wish to stay longer in the UK after the Graduate visa use it as a window to secure a Skilled Worker visa offer from an eligible employer.
Why the Cut Matters
Six months is a meaningful reduction for international graduates navigating the UK job market after university. Recruiters in sectors such as finance, law, consulting, and technology typically run graduate hiring cycles that can take several months from application to offer and start date. A shorter Graduate visa window reduces the time available to complete this process and secure a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship offer before the Graduate visa expires. For graduates who do not secure a sponsored role within the shortened window, the options are to leave the UK or to apply under a different route.
Universities UK, the representative body for UK higher education, has previously expressed concern about the cumulative effect of changes to the Graduate route on international student recruitment, which is a significant source of income for UK universities.
Who Should Act Now
International students currently studying at UK universities who expect to graduate in 2026 and plan to apply for the Graduate visa should be aware that if they apply before 1 January 2027, they will receive the 2-year period currently in place. Those graduating after January 2027 will be subject to the 18-month period. Students and universities should factor this into post-graduation planning, internship timing, and graduate recruitment strategies.
