The United Kingdom has recently announced a significant change to its post-study work visa policy, known as the Graduate Route Visa, which will come into effect from January 1, 2027. This change impacts international students, including millions from India, who choose to pursue higher education in the UK and plan to remain in the country after graduation to gain valuable work experience.
Currently, under the Graduate Route Visa, international students who complete their Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees at British universities are entitled to a two-year work permit after graduation. This visa allows them to stay and work in the UK without employer sponsorship, providing an excellent opportunity to build their careers and contribute to the country’s economy. Doctoral graduates, such as those holding PhDs, receive an extended three-year work permit. However, the UK government has decided to reduce the duration of the post-study work visa for most graduates from two years to 18 months starting in 2027. Doctoral graduates will continue to benefit from the three-year visa period, and this change will not affect them.
The announcement has been updated on the official UK government website, and students who apply for the Graduate Route Visa before December 31, 2026, will still enjoy the current two-year work period. After that date, new applicants will be subject to the shortened 18-month visa duration. This modification is expected to have a considerable impact on the large population of Indian students who annually enroll in British universities and often rely on the full two-year post-study work period to gain professional experience and secure employment.
The Graduate Route Visa is available to international students who have successfully completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree at a recognized UK university. To be eligible to apply, students must hold a valid Student visa or the former Tier 4 (General) visa at the time of application and must submit their application while still residing in the UK. The student’s university plays a crucial role in this process by confirming to the UK Home Office that the course has been completed satisfactorily. Once approved, the visa’s validity starts from the date of the decision and cannot be extended. Graduates wishing to stay longer in the UK beyond the post-study work period will need to switch to other visa categories, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, which requires employer sponsorship.
Applications for the Graduate Route Visa are made online and must be submitted before the expiry of the student’s current visa. Importantly, students do not need to wait until their graduation ceremonies or the receipt of physical degree certificates to apply; the university’s confirmation of course completion is sufficient. Regarding costs, applicants must pay an application fee of 880 British pounds and an annual healthcare surcharge of 1,035 British pounds, which grants them access to the National Health Service (NHS) during their stay.
The reduction of the post-study work visa duration from two years to 18 months has sparked concerns and uncertainty among prospective and current Indian students, along with their families. Many had factored the two-year work period into their post-graduation plans, viewing it as a critical window to gain meaningful employment experience, establish professional networks, and potentially transition to longer-term visas or permanent residency. With the new limitation coming into effect in 2027, students and their families are now re-evaluating their educational and migration strategies. Some may consider accelerating their applications to benefit from the existing two-year rule, while others might explore alternative countries or visa options.
It is worth noting that the Graduate Route Visa is a unique and attractive feature of the UK’s immigration policy, designed to retain global talent and enhance the country’s workforce. The UK government introduced this visa to remain competitive with other popular study destinations like Canada, Australia, and the United States, all of which offer post-study work opportunities. The recent decision to shorten the work period reflects a shift in immigration priorities and may influence the UK’s appeal among international students in the coming years.
For Indian students, who constitute one of the largest groups of international students in the UK, this change could have profound implications. Many Indian families invest significant resources in sending their children overseas for quality education, often with the expectation of leveraging the post-study work period to build a career abroad. The new 18-month limit may constrain the time available to find suitable employment, complete internships, or secure sponsorship under other visa categories, thereby affecting career trajectories and migration prospects.
In response to this development, education consultants, universities, and student organizations are advising students to plan