Changes to Graduate Route Visa in the UK
The UK government has confirmed that the Graduate Route visa will be shortened from two years to 18 months, starting from January 2027.
Additionally, financial requirements for the visa will increase from November 2025. This change affects international students who complete a degree in the UK, allowing them to stay in the country for only 18 months after graduating.
The decision to cut the Graduate Route visa from two years was first announced in May in the UK government’s white paper on immigration, but has now been enshrined in legislation.
An impact assessment published with the legislation estimates a "modest impact" on demand, with an expected annual drop of 12,000 applications.
Reasoning Behind the Change
According to Lord David Hanson of the UK Home Office, the change is informed by data showing that too many graduates are not progressing into graduate-level employment, which the Graduate route was created to facilitate access to.
- Graduate Route visa shortened to 18 months from January 2027
- Financial requirements to increase from November 2025
- Estimated annual drop of 12,000 applications
Author's summary: UK cuts Graduate Route visa duration to 18 months.