From 1 January 2027 the UK Graduate visa becomes shorter. If you are finishing a UK degree around the end of this year, the date you apply decides whether you get two years or 18 months. This guide sets out what GOV.UK says, who is affected, and what to ask your university now, as checked on 21 October 2026.
- GOV.UK says a Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027
- A PhD or other doctorate gets 3 years
- The application fee is 937 pounds, plus a healthcare surcharge that is usually 1,035 pounds for each year of the visa
- Decisions usually take up to 8 weeks.
What Is Changing for the UK Graduate Visa in 2027?
The length of the visa is falling from two years to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 still get two years. A doctorate keeps three years. GOV.UK describes the visa as lasting at least 18 months after you complete an eligible UK course.
| Application date 2026-27 | Graduate visa length | Source |
|---|---|---|
| On or before 31 December 2026 | 2 years | GOV.UK Graduate visa |
| On or after 1 January 2027 | 18 months | GOV.UK Graduate visa |
| PhD or other doctorate | 3 years | GOV.UK Graduate visa |
The change depends on the day you apply, not the day your course ends. You apply online from inside the UK, and you cannot extend the visa once you have it.
Who Is Affected by the Cut to 18 Months?
Anyone who applies for a Graduate visa on or after 1 January 2027 and does not hold a doctorate. You must be in the UK, hold a Student visa, and have studied an eligible course for the minimum period. Your university must also have told the Home Office that you successfully completed your course.
You can apply as soon as your university has reported your completion to the Home Office. GOV.UK says you do not have to wait until you have graduated or been given a certificate, but you must apply before your Student visa expires.
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If you are eligible and ready before that date, applying by 31 December 2026 gives you the longer two-year visa. You cannot apply early, because your university must first confirm you completed the course. Ask your international office when it will report your completion, and keep your Student visa dates in mind.
We cannot tell you whether a particular university will report completion before the deadline. That depends on your course and exam board dates. Do not apply before you are eligible, and read GOV.UK for the full conditions before you decide.
How Much Does the Graduate Visa Cost in 2026?
The application fee is 937 pounds. You also pay the immigration health surcharge, which GOV.UK says is usually 1,035 pounds for each year you will be in the UK. A decision usually comes within eight weeks after you apply online, prove your identity and provide your documents. Check GOV.UK for the current total before you pay.
Doctors, nurses and people in adult social care may be eligible for the cheaper Health and Care Worker visa instead, which has no annual surcharge. Public sector healthcare workers may be able to claim a refund of the surcharge.
What Can You Do on a Graduate Visa?
You can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed, volunteer and travel abroad and return. Your partner and children can stay if they are eligible. You cannot extend the visa, but you may be able to switch to another visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa, if you find a sponsored job.
What Should You Plan for After the Graduate Visa?
Plan the switch early, because 18 months leaves less time to find a sponsored job. Start applying for graduate roles during your final term, check which employers sponsor, and read the Skilled Worker rules before you accept an offer. Settlement rules are still being debated, so do not build your plan on a rumour.