Latest update to UK Graduate Route Visa: What international students need to know

Written By Helena Thompson
An international student at a UK train station is thinking about the changes to the UK Graduate Route visa

The UK Government has announced a proposed change to the UK post study work visa - also known as the Graduate Route visa - that could affect future international students. If you’re planning to study in the UK, or you’re already here, here’s everything you need to know about the latest update to the UK post study visa.

🧾 What is the UK Graduate Route?

The UK Graduate Route is a post study work visa that allows international students to remain in the UK after graduation to work or start a business. Currently, students who have completed an eligible undergraduate or Masters degree can stay for up to two years, while PhD graduates are granted three years.

For more information, check out our ultimate guide to the UK Graduate Route.

🔁 What changes have been proposed?

The UK Government confirms the graduate visa route will be kept. However, according to the UK Government’s recent white paper (May 2025), a reduction to the length of the UK Graduate Route visa has been suggested. 

  • The proposal suggests cutting the current two year post-study work period to just 18 months for most students.

  • This change has not yet been approved by Parliament, therefore no start-date has been announced.

  • PhD graduates would still qualify for the three-year visa.

  • There is speculation that future access to the Graduate Route may be tied to securing a professional or skilled job, although this has not yet been confirmed.

Other proposed changes include new English language requirements for dependants of research students.

❓Why is the UK Post Study Work Visa being changed?

The UK Government has committed to reduce overall immigration figures, both legal and illegal. The UK Graduate Route, while highly valued by universities and students, contributes to the net migration count. By reducing the UK Graduate Route visa duration, the Government hopes to lower immigration numbers.

However, critics argue that these changes may damage the UK’s global reputation as a welcoming destination for international education - potentially pushing students to choose Canada, Australia or the EU instead.

📆 When will the UK Post Study Work Visa change?

So when is the UK Graduate Route visa duration change implementation date?

Here’s the good news:

  • The proposal is not yet approved by Parliament, therefore no start-date has been announced.

  • If you’re starting a Masters in the UK from September 2025 or earlier, your eligibility for the current two-year Graduate Route visa should remain unchanged.

And the bad news:

  • Unfortunately, if you’re starting a UK Masters in January 2026 or later, you are likely to be affected by the change.

  • If you’re starting a Bachelors (undergraduate) course from September 2025 you are very likely to be affected by this change.

The changes are still at the proposal stage, announced via a white paper - a formal policy document used to outline government plans before introducing legislation. The proposals will now go through a consultation process with universities and other stakeholders.

UK universities and other stakeholders will be invited to provide feedback on the proposals. While it’s possible that universities and sector bodies could successfully lobby for the proposals to be amended or withdrawn, this outcome remains uncertain.

The proposed changes are expected to face significant opposition from UK universities, business leaders, and international education advocates, all of whom are concerned about the potential impact on student recruitment and the UK’s global competitiveness.

Given the need for review and debate, the earliest likely implementation would be the 2026/27 academic year.

🎓 What should you do now?

If you’re already an international student at a UK university or if you’re planning to start a Masters in 2025, you do not need to worry - you will likely still be eligible for the current Graduate Route terms.

If you’re considering the UK for study after 2025, keep up-to-date with the latest announcements about the UK Graduate Route visa. Changes could affect your future stay and post-study options.

Stay informed via trusted sources like the Scholarship Scanner blog, and remember: if implemented, these changes could make partial scholarships for international students and fully funded scholarships for international students more widely available as UK universities work harder to attract international students.

📌 Key FAQs

Q1: Is the UK Graduate Route Visa being abolished or changed for 2025 intake?
A1: The UK government's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has proposed maintaining the Graduate Route visa. While there were initial proposals for changes, the government has announced that no changes will be made to the Graduate Route visa rules. This means the visa will continue in its current form, allowing eligible international students to stay and work in the UK after graduation.

Q2: What is the duration of the UK Graduate Route Visa?
A2: The Graduate Route visa allows eligible international students to stay in the UK for two years after successfully completing a bachelor's or master's degree. For PhD graduates, the visa duration is three years.

Q3: When will the proposed changes to the UK Graduate Route Visa take effect?
A3: As of [Current Month, Year - e.g., June, 2025], the UK government has confirmed that the Graduate Route visa rules will not be changed. Therefore, there is no implementation date for previously discussed proposals.

Q4: Will I be affected by any changes if I start my Master's degree in September 2025?
A4: No, if you start your Master's degree in September 2025, you will be eligible for the Graduate Route visa under the current rules, which allow for a two-year post-study stay. The government has confirmed no changes will be made to the visa.

Q5: What are the main eligibility criteria for the Graduate Route Visa?
A5: To be eligible, you must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD from a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance with the Home Office. You must also have a valid Student Visa (or Tier 4 visa) when you apply and apply from within the UK.

Q6: Can I switch from a Student Visa to a Graduate Route Visa while in the UK?
A6: Yes, you must apply for the Graduate Route visa from within the UK before your current Student Visa expires. You cannot apply from outside the UK.

Q7: Can I bring dependents on the Graduate Route Visa?
A7: No, as of January 1, 2024, international students on a Student Visa (excluding those on postgraduate research courses) can no longer bring dependents to the UK. This restriction also applies to dependents on the Graduate Route visa, meaning generally, you cannot bring new dependents when switching to this visa.

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