UK Graduate Visa Cut to 18 Months from 2027: What gov.uk Says

Information only, not advice. This page summarises what the UK government publishes. It is not immigration advice on anyone's case. The official pages on gov.uk are the final word.

The UK Graduate visa is getting shorter. According to gov.uk, it lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD and other doctoral graduates still get 3 years.

What decides the length is the date of your application, not the date you started or finished your course. We read the gov.uk pages and the Immigration Rules on 23 October 2026. Here is what they say, and what they leave out.

The rule, in the government's own terms

The change is written into the Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate, rule GR 8.1. It sets the period of permission, counted from the date of the decision:

gov.uk adds that the visa starts from the day your application is approved, and that you cannot extend a Graduate visa. It says you may be able to switch to another visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, if you qualify for it.

Who the change affects

On a plain reading of the rule, anyone whose bachelor's or master's Graduate visa application is made on or after 1 January 2027 falls under the 18-month period. For example, a one-year master's that runs from September 2026 to September 2027 can only lead to a Graduate visa application made in 2027, after the cut-off.

gov.uk says you can apply once your university has told the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course, without waiting for your graduation ceremony or certificate. You must apply from inside the UK, and before your Student visa expires. The date your university reports completion is set by the university, so ask your university's international student advice team about your own dates. They, not this page, can tell you how the rule applies to you.

What has not changed

According to gov.uk's Graduate visa pages, checked on 23 October 2026:

• Fee: £937 for the application.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: usually £1,035 for each year you will be in the UK.
• No job offer is needed, and you can work in most jobs, look for work or be self-employed.
• Eligibility: you must be in the UK, hold a Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) student visa), have studied an eligible course for the minimum time, and your university must have reported your successful completion.
• Minimum study in the UK: for a course of 12 months or less, the course rules say you must have studied its full length in the UK; for a longer course, at least 12 months.
• Decision time: gov.uk says a decision usually takes about 8 weeks, and you can stay in the UK while you wait.

Our summary of the UK Graduate visa rules keeps the full list, including the Skilled Worker salary rules gov.uk published, and links to every official page.

If a scholarship paid for your course

This matters for many Pakistani students. Rule GR 1.5 of Appendix Graduate says that if, in the 12 months before you apply, you studied a course that was funded by a government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs, you must provide that government's or agency's written consent to your Graduate visa application.

Some scholarships also have their own rules about what you do after the course. Chevening's FAQ says its terms require all scholars to return to their country of award for two years straight after the award ends. Read your own scholarship's terms, and ask the scholarship body directly if anything is unclear. Our Chevening page and UK scholarships roundup list the main awards and link to their official terms.

What families in Pakistan may want to know

• The length is a published rule, not a promise of work. gov.uk does not say anything about how easy it is to find a job in 18 months, and neither can we.
• Budget for the costs gov.uk lists. The £937 fee and the health surcharge are paid by the applicant. Our cost calculator helps families plan the full cost of a UK degree, and our Study in the UK guide explains Student visa funds.
• Be wary of promises. No one can guarantee a visa or a job, and you never need to pay anyone to make a Graduate visa application for you. The reliable sources are gov.uk and your university. Our guide to avoiding scholarship scams lists warning signs.

Common questions

Is the PhD Graduate visa also cut?

No. Both gov.uk and rule GR 8.1 keep 3 years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification, whatever the application date.

Does the 18 months start when I finish my course?

No. gov.uk says the visa starts from the day the application is approved.

Can I extend the Graduate visa to two years later?

gov.uk says a Graduate visa cannot be extended. It mentions switching to another visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, for people who qualify. The Skilled Worker visa page sets out its own rules.

Where do I check my own case?

Your university's international student advice service, and gov.uk/graduate-visa. We do not give immigration advice on anyone's case.

Official sources

• Graduate visa overview: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa
• How long it lasts: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/how-long-it-lasts
• Course rules: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/course-you-studied
• Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-graduate

Summary checked against gov.uk on 23 October 2026. Rules and fees change; always confirm on gov.uk before you apply.