UK Graduate Visa Cut to 18 Months from January 1, 2027: Apply by December 31 to Get 2 Years
GOV.UK confirms that Graduate visas applied for on or before December 31, 2026 last 2 years, while those applied for on or after January 1, 2027 last 18 months; PhD graduates still get 3 years. The application date, not the graduation date, decides.
The GOV.UK Graduate visa page now states the new rule: a Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before December 31, 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after January 1, 2027. Graduates with a PhD or other doctoral qualification are unaffected and still get 3 years.
Key points
- Application date decides: Whether you get 2 years or 18 months depends on when you apply, not when you started or graduated. The visa starts on the day it is approved.
- Eligibility: You must be in the UK on a Student visa, have completed an eligible bachelor's, postgraduate or other course, and your university must have told the Home Office you completed it successfully.
- Timing: Apply before your Student visa expires, and only after your university has reported your completion to the Home Office.
- Costs: A £937 application fee plus the healthcare surcharge: £1,152.50 for 18 months, £2,070 for 2 years, £3,105 for 3 years.
- No extensions: The Graduate visa cannot be extended; to stay longer you need to switch to another visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa.
What it means for students and families
- One-year master's students who started in autumn 2026: Most will finish in 2027 and can only get 18 months.
- Students finishing in 2026: Once your university confirms completion, apply before December 31 to get 2 years; a late report from your university could push your application into 2027.
- Students applying to UK degrees now: Time to work or job-hunt in the UK after graduation drops from 2 years to 18 months, so plan internships and job searches early.
Sources: GOV.UK Graduate visa; GOV.UK Graduate visa costs. Check the official sources for the latest policy.