UK Student Visa Changes 2026–27: Graduate Route Cut to 18 Months, Funds, Fees & Work Rules
UK student visa changes are coming thick and fast. The biggest for current international students is that the Graduate Route will be cut from two years to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027 — but the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026 also proposed keeping two years for graduates of some “high-compliance” universities. Add new financial requirements, higher fees and stricter rules on dependants, and it is easy to see why students are confused.
This guide explains every current and upcoming rule for the UK Student visa and the Graduate visa in plain English, what has changed, what is only proposed, and what you should do now. We update it whenever the Home Office announces a change.
UK Student Visa Changes 2026–27: Key Facts
| Rule | Current position |
|---|---|
| Graduate Route (bachelor’s/master’s) | 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026; 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027 |
| Graduate Route (PhD) | 3 years — unchanged |
| Living costs (London) | £1,529 per month, up to 9 months (£13,761) |
| Living costs (outside London) | £1,171 per month, up to 9 months (£10,539) |
| Funds held for | 28 consecutive days |
| Student visa fee (from outside UK) | £558 (2026/27) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776 per year for students |
| Dependants | Only PhD and other doctoral (RQF 8) students |
| Work in term time | 20 hours a week (degree level); 10 hours (below degree level) |
| Proof of status | eVisa (digital) instead of a physical card |
1. Graduate Route Cut to 18 Months From 1 January 2027
The Graduate visa lets international students stay and work in the UK after completing an eligible UK degree, without needing a job offer or sponsor. Under the change confirmed in the Immigration Rules:
- Apply on or before 31 December 2026: you get 2 years (bachelor’s or master’s).
- Apply on or after 1 January 2027: you get 18 months.
- PhD and doctoral graduates still get 3 years.
The key date is when you apply, not when your course ends. You must still be in the UK, hold a valid Student visa and your university must have told the Home Office you have successfully completed your course before you can apply.
Who should apply before 31 December 2026?
If you finished your degree in 2026 and your university has already reported your successful completion, applying before 31 December 2026 secures the full two years. Students whose results are not confirmed in time will fall under the 18-month rule unless further changes are made.
Budget proposal: two years for “high-compliance” universities
The Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026 proposed keeping a two-year Graduate visa for graduates of high-compliance universities with strong graduate job outcomes. This is a proposal only: the criteria, the list of eligible universities and the start date have not been published and it is not yet part of the Immigration Rules. Until it is, plan on the basis of the 18-month rule.
Graduate visa costs
The Graduate visa fee is £937, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, usually £1,035 for each year of permission. The Graduate visa cannot be extended and does not lead directly to settlement, so many graduates aim to switch to a Skilled Worker visa before it ends.
2. Financial Requirement (Proof of Funds)
You must show you can pay your course fees and living costs. For applications made on or after 11 November 2025, the living-cost amounts are:
| Where you study | Per month | Maximum (9 months) |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
- You must also show your unpaid course fees for the first year (or the whole course if shorter).
- Money must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the end of that period must be no more than 31 days before you apply.
- Accommodation fees paid to your university can be deducted, up to £1,529.
- If you have lived in the UK with permission for 12 months or more, you usually do not need to show living costs.
Worked example
A student in London with £14,000 tuition who has paid a £5,000 deposit must show £9,000 for fees plus £13,761 for living costs — a total of £22,761, held for 28 days.
3. Visa Fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge
| Cost | Amount (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Student visa application (outside UK) | £558 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (students) | £776 per year |
| Priority service | £500 |
| Super priority service | £1,000 |
| Graduate visa | £937 + IHS (usually £1,035 per year) |
Fees change regularly, usually in April. Always check the official GOV.UK Student visa page before paying.
4. Dependants: Only PhD Students Can Bring Family
Since 1 January 2024, only students on PhD or other doctoral courses (RQF level 8) can bring dependants (a partner and children) on the Student route. Master’s students who started before 1 January 2024 may still be covered by the older rules. Part-time postgraduate students cannot bring dependants or work.
5. Work Rules for International Students
| Level of study | Term time | Vacations |
|---|---|---|
| Degree level and above | Up to 20 hours a week | Full-time |
| Below degree level | Up to 10 hours a week | Full-time |
You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or fill a permanent full-time role. Breaking work conditions can lead to your visa being cancelled. For money tips, see our guides to the best student bank accounts and whether students pay council tax.
6. English Language Requirements
- Degree-level study: usually CEFR level B2. Universities with a track record of compliance can assess your English themselves.
- Below degree level: CEFR B1, normally through an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
- Nationals of majority English-speaking countries and those with a degree taught in English may be exempt.
7. eVisas Replace Physical Documents
The UK has replaced biometric residence permits and most passport stickers with eVisas — digital proof of your immigration status linked to your UKVI account. You use a share code to prove your right to study, work or rent. Make sure your UKVI account shows your current passport details before you travel.
8. Other 2026 Changes
- Visa brake: from 5 March 2026, new applicants from outside the UK who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan are not eligible for the Student visa.
- Stricter university compliance: universities face tougher checks on visa refusals, enrolment and course completion, so expect more careful credibility interviews and document checks.
- Skilled Worker changes: the Budget also proposed changes to Skilled Worker salary rules from spring 2027 — important for graduates planning to switch.
What Should International Students Do Now?
- Graduated in 2026? Ask your university when it will report your completion and apply for the Graduate visa before 31 December 2026 if you can.
- Applying for 2027 entry? Check your university’s deadlines — see our UCAS deadlines 2027 guide — and start saving the required funds early so they are held for 28 days.
- Budget for higher costs: include the visa fee, IHS, deposit and living costs. Our student finance payment dates guide helps you plan.
- Keep documents consistent: bank statements, CAS and qualifications must match exactly.
- Use official sources: GOV.UK, your university’s international office and UKCISA. Avoid agents who promise guaranteed visas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UK Graduate visa being reduced to 18 months?
Yes. For bachelor’s and master’s graduates who apply on or after 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa will last 18 months. Applications made by 31 December 2026 still get two years. PhD graduates keep three years.
Will some universities keep the two-year Graduate visa?
The Autumn Budget 2026 proposed two years for graduates of high-compliance universities, but no details or start date have been published yet.
How much money do I need for a UK student visa?
Your unpaid first-year fees plus £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months, held for 28 consecutive days.
Can I bring my family on a UK student visa?
Only if you are studying a PhD or other doctoral-level course, unless older transitional rules apply to you.
How many hours can international students work in the UK?
Up to 20 hours a week in term time at degree level, and 10 hours below degree level, with full-time work allowed in official vacations.
Do I still get a BRP card?
No. New students receive an eVisa, viewed through a UKVI account and shared using a share code.
Bottom Line
The most urgent UK student visa change is the Graduate Route cut to 18 months from 1 January 2027 — if you are eligible, applying before the end of 2026 secures two years. Keep an eye on the Budget proposal for high-compliance universities, budget for the higher funds and fees, and always check GOV.UK before you apply. We will update this page as soon as new rules are confirmed.
This article is general information, not immigration advice. For advice on your own situation, speak to your university’s international student adviser or a regulated immigration adviser. Sources: UKCISA, GOV.UK.