UK Graduate Visa: 2 Years or 18 Months? The 31 December 2026 Cut-off
Answer first: If you finish a UK bachelor's or master's degree and apply for the Graduate visa on or before 31 December 2026, you get 2 years. If you apply on or after 1 January 2027, you get 18 months. PhD graduates still get 3 years. The application fee is £937, plus a healthcare surcharge of usually £1,035 for each year. All figures checked on GOV.UK on 27 October 2026.
Who this is for: Students from Pakistan and other countries who are studying in the UK on a Student visa, or planning to, and want to stay and work after their degree.
How long can I stay on the UK Graduate visa?
It depends on your qualification and the date you apply, not the date you graduate.
| Your qualification | You apply on or before 31 Dec 2026 | You apply on or after 1 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's, master's or other eligible non-doctoral course | 2 years | 18 months |
| PhD or other doctoral qualification | 3 years | 3 years |
The Home Office explanatory memorandum for the October 2025 rule changes confirms that the change to 18 months applies to applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027, and that PhD graduates continue to receive three years.
Sources: GOV.UK, Graduate visa, Immigration Rules Appendix Graduate (GR 8.1) and Explanatory memorandum to HC 1333 (paragraph 5.26).
Last verified 27 Oct 2026 against gov.uk.
Can I still get 2 years if I finish my course this autumn?
Possibly, but only if you can make a valid application on or before 31 December 2026. GOV.UK says you can apply once your university has told the Home Office that you successfully completed your course. You do not have to wait for your graduation ceremony or your certificate.
That notification is the step you cannot control. Ask your university's international student team when they will report your completion. Do not apply before the notification, because the rules say your sponsor must have notified the Home Office by the date of your application.
You must also apply before your Student visa expires, and you must be in the UK when you apply.
Sources: GOV.UK, Graduate visa and Appendix Graduate (GR 1.2 and GR 4.3).
Last verified 27 Oct 2026 against gov.uk.
Am I eligible?
In short: you need a current Student visa, a successfully completed eligible UK course, and enough of that study done in the UK.
- Current visa: you hold a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
- Completion reported: your university or college has told the Home Office you successfully completed your course.
- Location: you are in the UK when you apply.
- Study in the UK: for a course of 12 months or less, you studied in the UK for the full course. For a course longer than 12 months, you studied in the UK for at least 12 months.
- No earlier grant: you cannot apply if you have previously been granted permission as a Graduate or under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
Sources: GOV.UK, Graduate visa and Appendix Graduate (GR 1.4 and GR 6.1).
Last verified 27 Oct 2026 against gov.uk.
How much does the Graduate visa cost?
There are two official costs.
| Cost | Official figure |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £937 |
| Immigration healthcare surcharge | Usually £1,035 for each year you will be in the UK |
The surcharge depends on the length of your visa, so the total differs between a 2 year, 18 month and 3 year grant. GOV.UK shows the exact amount when you apply.
Source: GOV.UK, Graduate visa. Last verified 27 Oct 2026 against gov.uk.
What can I do on the Graduate visa?
You can work, including self-employment and voluntary work. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, and you cannot get public funds (most state benefits).
The Graduate visa is not a route to settlement. Time on it does not by itself lead to permanent residence, and you cannot get a second Graduate grant. Many graduates use it to find an employer and then look at other work routes; check the official requirements of those routes on GOV.UK.
Source: Appendix Graduate (GR 1.4 and GR 8.2). Last verified 27 Oct 2026 against gov.uk.
How do I apply, and how long does a decision take?
You apply online from inside the UK. You then prove your identity in one of two ways, depending on your nationality and documents:
- Scan your identity document with the UK Immigration: ID Check app and create or sign in to a UKVI account, or
- Attend a UKVCAS appointment to give your fingerprints and photo.
You will usually get a decision within 8 weeks once you have applied, proved your identity and provided your documents. Until you get a decision, do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. If you do, your application will be withdrawn.
Source: GOV.UK, Graduate visa: Apply. Last verified 27 Oct 2026 against gov.uk.
Checklist: UK Graduate visa
- Check your Student visa expiry date
- Ask your university when it will report your course completion to the Home Office
- Note the cut-off: apply on or before 31 Dec 2026 for 2 years; from 1 Jan 2027 it is 18 months (PhD: 3 years either way)
- Confirm you studied in the UK long enough (full course if 12 months or less; at least 12 months if longer)
- Budget £937 for the fee plus the healthcare surcharge (usually £1,035 per year)
- Be in the UK when you apply, and do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision
- Prepare for the identity check: ID Check app or UKVCAS appointment
What to do next
Plan the cost of your stay after graduation, including the visa fee and surcharge, with the AbroadDreaming cost calculator.
Related guides: Study in the UK: complete guide, Best countries for post-study work, Cost of living in London for students and UCAS guide for international students.
By the AbroadDreaming Editorial Team. Facts checked against official sources on 27 October 2026. Updated 27 October 2026. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team before publishing. Visa rules change, so always confirm on GOV.UK before you apply. This guide is general information, not immigration advice.