GOV.UK states the 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. PhD graduates can stay 3 years.
What it means
The Graduate visa lets eligible students stay in the UK after successfully completing a course.
The length now depends on when you apply for the Graduate visa, not when you started studying.
Students starting in the January 2027 intake would apply for the Graduate visa after they finish, so the 18-month length would apply to most of them under the current rules.
Who may be affected
Students who will apply for the UK Graduate visa on or after 1 January 2027, including those planning to start courses in 2026 and 2027.
- Official source
- GOV.UK — Graduate visa(opens official source in a new tab)
- Status
- Announced — takes effect later
- Effective date
- 1 Jan 2027
- Editor
- Orbit editorial team
- Last verified
- 25 Sept 2026
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