Written by Basharat Hussain, IAA-regulated immigration lawyer (Level 1, ref F201800051), Immigration Inn, Bedford.
If you are finishing a UK degree this year, the date you apply for your Graduate visa matters more than usual. From 1 January 2027 the standard Graduate visa becomes shorter. This guide covers what changes, who it affects and how to plan the move from study to work.
What is changing on 1 January 2027?
GOV.UK says the Graduate visa lasts:
- 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026
- 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027
- 3 years if you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification
What counts is the date you submit your application, not the date your course finished. If you can apply before the end of 2026, you keep the full two years.
Can you apply in time?
You can only apply once your university has told the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. You must also still be in the UK, and you must apply before your Student visa expires.
If your results are due in November or December, ask your university when it will report your completion. Many universities publish these dates, and a short delay can push your application into January.
Fees
The application fee is £937. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which GOV.UK lists as usually £1,035 for each year of the visa. Check both figures on GOV.UK on the day you apply, because they can change.
What the Graduate visa lets you do
- work in most jobs, at any skill level, without a sponsor
- look for work or be self-employed
- switch to another route, such as Skilled Worker, from inside the UK when you find a suitable job
The Graduate visa does not lead directly to settlement, and it cannot be extended. Time on it does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain on its own, so most graduates who want to stay long term plan a switch to a sponsored work route.
Planning your next step
With 18 months instead of 2 years, there is less time to find a sponsored job and build up experience. A simple plan helps:
- Check early whether the jobs you want are eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship and what salary they need
- Ask employers at interview whether they hold a sponsor licence
- Keep copies of payslips and contracts, because you may need them for later applications
- If your partner or children are with you, check their position before your current visa ends
How we help
We confirm your completion has been reported, check your timing against the 1 January 2027 change and submit your application while your Student visa is still valid. Our Graduate visa packages start from £200, with the fee confirmed in writing once we have assessed your case. When you find a job, we can help with the switch to a Skilled Worker visa.
Get started for just £50. A £50 working fee gets your case moving: we study your case, review your documents and confirm your package fee in writing before you pay anything more. WhatsApp us or call 01234 962804.
This article is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Rules checked on GOV.UK in October 2026.