The Graduate Route lets international students stay in the UK after their degree and work, or look for work, at any skill level without a sponsor. For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, it lasts 18 months instead of two years. PhD graduates keep three years.
The change applies by the date you apply for the Graduate visa, not by when you started your course. That is why it matters to almost everyone studying in the UK now.
What changes and when
| You apply for the Graduate visa | Bachelor’s or master’s graduates | PhD and other doctoral graduates |
|---|---|---|
| On or before 31 December 2026 | 2 years | 3 years |
| On or after 1 January 2027 | 18 months | 3 years |
The change was made by the Statement of Changes HC 1333, laid in October 2025. It follows the government’s 2025 immigration white paper.
Who can still get two years?
Only graduates who can apply on or before 31 December 2026. To apply, you must be in the UK on your Student visa, and your university must already have told the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. You do not need to wait for the graduation ceremony.
In practice this mainly helps students on courses that finish in the autumn of 2026, such as one-year master’s courses that started in September or October 2025. If your university reports completions in batches, ask when yours will be reported; it decides whether you can apply in time.
Costs and conditions
- Application fee: £937, from 8 April 2026.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: usually £1,035 for each year of the visa, paid upfront.
- Where to apply: from inside the UK, before your Student visa expires.
- Work: any job at any level, self-employment and voluntary work are allowed. Professional sport is not.
- One time only: you cannot extend a Graduate visa or get a second one.
Moving on to a Skilled Worker visa
Most graduates who want to stay longer move to the Skilled Worker route with a sponsoring employer. Since July 2025 most eligible jobs must be at degree level (RQF 6).
| Skilled Worker salary rule | Minimum |
|---|---|
| General threshold | £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the job if higher |
| New entrant (including many recent graduates) | £33,400 a year, or 70% of the going rate if higher |
You can switch from a Student visa once your course is complete, or in some cases earlier if your job starts after your course end date. Graduate visa holders can switch at any time once they have a job offer from a licensed sponsor.
How 18 months compares with other countries
| Country | Post-study work after a bachelor’s or master’s | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 18 months (applications from 1 January 2027) | 3 years after a PhD; no job offer needed |
| Canada | Up to 3 years | Master’s graduates can get 3 years even after a shorter programme; language test required |
| Australia | Usually 2 years | 3 years after a research master’s or PhD; age limit 35 |
| United States | 12 months of OPT | Plus 24 months for eligible STEM degrees |
| Germany | Up to 18 months to find a job | Any job allowed while you search |
Even at 18 months, the UK remains competitive for one-year master’s graduates, because the whole course plus post-study work still takes less time than a two-year master’s elsewhere. Compare the full cost of each option in our cost comparison.
How to make 18 months count
- Start applying for graduate jobs during your final term, not after it.
- Target employers that hold a sponsor licence; the public register of licensed sponsors is on GOV.UK.
- Use placements, internships and part-time work during your course to build UK experience.
- Pick a course and university with strong employment links, since the shorter window leaves less time to search.
Planning your degree around a career in the UK? Our UK study guide and UK visa guide cover the earlier steps, and an adviser can compare UK courses by graduate outcomes on a free call.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UK Graduate visa still two years?
Only for applications made on or before 31 December 2026. Applications from 1 January 2027 give 18 months, or three years for PhD graduates.
I started my master’s in 2026. Will I get 18 months?
Yes, almost certainly, because you will apply for the Graduate visa in 2027 or later. The length depends on the date you apply, not when your course started.
How much does the Graduate visa cost?
The application fee is £937 from 8 April 2026, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, usually £1,035 for each year of the visa.
Can I extend the Graduate visa?
No. You can only hold it once. To stay longer you need to switch to another route, usually the Skilled Worker visa.
Sources
Every figure in this guide was checked against the official sources below on 2 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you apply.
