TL;DR
New UK student visa compliance rules for sponsoring universities took effect on 1 June 2026. The Home Office has confirmed tighter sponsor duties to enforce responsible recruitment. A £925 per student annual levy is scheduled to start in August 2028 and the Graduate Route for non-PhD students will shorten to 18 months from January 2027.
Last reviewed: 5 June 2026
New UK student visa compliance rules for sponsoring universities took effect on 1 June 2026. The Home Office has confirmed tightened sponsor duties as part of measures announced in the 2025 Immigration White Paper, alongside a planned per-student levy and a shortened Graduate Route from 2027. The Russell Group has published its response to the policy.
Key Facts
- Compliance rules effective date: 1 June 2026
- International student levy: £925 per student per year of study
- Levy start date: August 2028
- Graduate Route validity (non-PhD applications from 1 January 2027): 18 months
- Graduate Route validity (PhD applications from 1 January 2027): 36 months
- B2 English requirement for indefinite leave to remain: from 26 March 2027
- Current Student visa application fee: £524
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year of visa duration
What changed on 1 June 2026
The Home Office has tightened the compliance regime under which UK universities sponsor international students. The new rules focus on responsible recruitment, monitoring of attendance and reporting of withdrawals, and on demonstrating that institutional safeguards against visa misuse are operating in practice.
The House of Commons Library research briefing CBP-10267 (4 June 2026 update) sets out the legislative basis. Sponsor licence revocation remains the most serious consequence for institutions found in breach.
The £925 international student levy
A levy of £925 per international student per year of study was confirmed in the 2025 Budget. The levy will start in August 2028 and will apply to English universities’ income from international student fees. Devolved education systems may apply different arrangements.
Graduate Route shortened from 2027
The Graduate Route gives international students permission to work in the UK after completing a degree. From applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the Graduate Route will last 18 months for most graduates and 36 months for PhD holders. The current two-year period continues for applications made before that date.
Other changes scheduled
A higher B2 English language requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on various visa routes takes effect from 26 March 2027. Further changes to settlement rules have been signalled by the Home Secretary for later in 2026 with secondary legislation expected in the autumn.
Editor’s note: Prospective and current international students should check the visa rules in force on the date their application is decided, not the date of arrival. Compliance changes can affect existing students through university reporting requirements.
Related guides
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Applicants should consult the current UK Immigration Rules on gov.uk or an OISC-registered or solicitor-regulated immigration adviser before making decisions.
Frequently asked questions
When did the new compliance rules take effect?
The new compliance rules for university sponsors of international students took effect on 1 June 2026.
What is the £925 student levy and when does it start?
The international student levy is £925 per student per year of study. It applies to English universities’ income from international student fees and is scheduled to start in August 2028.
Is the Graduate Route being shortened?
Yes. For Graduate Route applications made from 1 January 2027, the visa will last 18 months for most graduates and 36 months for PhD holders. Applications made before that date continue under the current two-year rule.
Where can I check the current UK Immigration Rules?
The current UK Immigration Rules and statements of changes are published on gov.uk. The House of Commons Library briefing CBP-10267 provides a plain-English summary of recent changes.
Sources
- Home Office, Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (gov.uk)
- House of Commons Library, Changes to UK visa and settlement rules after the 2025 immigration white paper, CBP-10267 (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
- Russell Group, response to student visa policy (russellgroup.ac.uk, 4 June 2026)
- HM Treasury, Budget 2025 documents
- UK Immigration Rules, current edition (gov.uk)
