UK Graduate Visa Shorter From January 1, 2027: Indian students targeting UK in 2026 Must Know!
Have you heard that starting from 1 January 2027, UK is shortening the time international grads can stay to work after studies, from 2 years to just 18 months. Simply, the UK graduate visa is going to be shorter, effective for all applications made in 2027. It is an important consideration for all Indian students planning to study in UK in 2026. However, it is also important to know that the change is applicable to students completing their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in UK. PhD students remain unaffected by the shortening of the graduate visa in UK, they have their 3 year work option after studies.
This Story also Contains
- A Shorter UK Graduate Visa: Who is Getting Affected?
- Impact of Shortening UK Graduate Visa for Intake in 2026
- UK Shorter Graduate Visa for International Students: Many Oppose the Rule
- Tips to Safeguard from Shorter Graduate Visa in UK: What You Can Do?
We have provided detailed information on the latest updates announced by the UK government regarding the shorter UK graduate visa route for international students, including who is affected, tips to protect themselves, official news, and more.
Related Reads:
A Shorter UK Graduate Visa: Who is Getting Affected?
Most international bachelor’s and master’s graduates will see their time for work getting shortened unless they land a job within the timeframe. This bombshell change of a new and shorter graduate visa in UK will shake up plans for thousands of international students, and it’s happening fast. However, all PhD graduates are exception for this change. Check the points below to understand who is affected by the current change of UK Graduate Route getting shortened to 18 months from January 2027:
If you apply for the Graduate Route visa on or after 1 January 2027, your stay in the UK will be capped at 18 months, no more 24 months.
But if you apply before that date (even if your course ends later), you still get the old 2‑year window.
PhD or doctoral graduates are not affected by this change. They keep the full 3 years of stay in UK.
It doesn’t matter when your course began or ends; what matters is when you apply for the UK graduate visa.
So yes, even students already enrolled or those joining in 2025/2026 could be caught by this, unless they time their visa submission just right.
Primarily, international students with a master's degree in the UK are the most affected by this change. 71% of full-time master's students in the UK are international, which is a significant part. On the other hand, only 16% of the total full-time bachelor students are international.
Also Read:
Impact of Shortening UK Graduate Visa for Intake in 2026
With the latest update, where UK government has planned to shorten the UK graduate visa route from 2 years to 18 months, the intake in 2026 will be indirectly impacted. Let us check the points below to understand the impact in clarity:
The UK Home Office estimates this cut will reduce about 12,000 student visa applications per year in the long run. This means that there will be reduced international student arrivals in UK for 2026.
However, the international student visa statistics for 2025 were lower partly due to other immigration changes in UK for international students. This is just one another reason to reconsider studying in UK in 2026.
In 2025, student visa applications rose by 7% compared to 2024. In 2026, it is predicted to be reduced due to the latest update of the shorter graduate visa.
UK universities and study bodies expect demand to study in UK among international students will decrease once the shorter post‑study work period is implemented.
UK Shorter Graduate Visa for International Students: Many Oppose the Rule
As per the UK government, the change of reduced stay in UK for international students is to “ensure graduates contribute effectively to the economy”. Simply, it is to prevent people from staying in UK without meaningful employment. However, many critics oppose this for the following reasons:
Universities warn it will damage the reputation of UK as a study abroad destination among international students.
National Union of Students in UK responds to the government’s cuts to the Graduate Route Visa by calling it “cruel and self‑destructive,”. They argue that grads will have less time and chance to find good work.
The Migration Advisory Committee had earlier found no evidence of large‑scale abuse of the Graduate Route and had urged to keep the 2‑year allowance.
Universities heavily rely on international fees. Slashing this benefit could weaken financial stability in higher education.
Related Reads:
Tips to Safeguard from Shorter Graduate Visa in UK: What You Can Do?
Time your visa application wisely: If you can, submit your Graduate Route application before 1 Jan 2027 to lock in the 2‑year stay.
Choose shorter duration courses: Generally, shorter courses (e.g. 1‑year master’s) may help ensure you can apply earlier.
Prioritise early planning: Check your graduation date, the processing windows, and avoid delays in document submission.
Think long-term about switching routes: If you get 18 months, use that to land a Skilled Worker visa or other routes that lead to settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the UK removing the PSW in 2025?
A:
No, UK government is not removing the PSW for international students. However, the UK government has decided to shorten the graduate visa route to 18 months from 2 years, effective from January 01, 2027.
Q: What is the new rule of UK immigration in 2025?
A:
According to the new rule of UK immigration in 2025, international students who have completed their bachelor's and master's in UK universities and colleges can apply for a graduate visa route; however, the visa validity will be 18 months to 2 years.
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Hi there
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YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.
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Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..
To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as
- TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
- There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.
Top university of The USA for master degree courses
- John Carroll University
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You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below
https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp
Hope it's helpful for you..
Thank you
There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .
Hello Student
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Hope this will help.
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