The Graduate Route visa is facing significant reform: the standard stay will be reduced from 2 years to 18 months starting January 2027, and applicants will also need to meet increased financial requirements starting November 2025.
The UK Government has passed legislation confirming the reduction of the post-study Graduate Route visa duration. International students completing their UK degree will now be limited to staying for 18 months after graduation, a cut from the previous two-year period. This decision by the Home Office solidifies the policy first outlined in the government’s May immigration white paper. Data shows that an excessive number of graduates are not progressing into graduate-level employment,” explained Lord David Hanson, justifying the change. He noted that the Graduate Route was intended specifically to facilitate access to this type of skilled work. (UK Home Office).
The legislation’s accompanying impact assessment projects that the visa change will likely lead to a “modest impact” on the number of applicants, estimating an annual decrease in demand of 12,000 applications. The legislation anticipates some short-term impacts immediately following the announcement. The financial cost of these changes includes a projected reduction in revenue of approximately £23 million from the Graduate Route and £27 million from the Student Route (covering visa fees and the immigration surcharge).This change applies to standard Graduate Route applicants (Bachelor’s or Master’s graduates): the shorter visa duration officially begins for all applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027.
The intent is to ensure that international graduates who remain in the UK successfully transition into graduate-level employment and demonstrably contribute to the UK economy. These changes, along with the international student levy, contradict earlier speculation about linking visas to specific skill-based jobs but are now expected to have a severe impact on UK universities, potentially causing a drop in enrolment and financial strain. The UK’s tightening Immigration Rules require expert guidance, making BroadMind Consultant your essential trusted Study Abroad Partner for success. As the Graduate Route visa is set to be cut to 18 months (January 2027) international students must navigate these shifts, including the new B2 level English standards. BroadMind Consultant a British Council certified partner who provides end-to-end visa assistance, offering expert guidance on these critical changes and supporting graduates in transitioning to longer-term options like the Innovator Founder visa or Skilled Worker routes, ensuring a seamless journey from study to securing a post-study career in the UK.
