Apply on or before Dec 31, 2026
2 years
Apply on or after Jan 1, 2027
18 months
PhD or doctoral graduates
3 years
Application fee (GOV.UK)
£937
Quick Answer
The UK Graduate visa lets you work in the UK after your degree. If you apply on or before December 31, 2026 it lasts 2 years, and if you apply on or after January 1, 2027 it lasts 18 months. PhD graduates still get 3 years. The date that counts is the date you apply, and almost every student who starts a course in 2027 will apply after the change.
What is changing
The Graduate visa is the UK's post-study work visa. According to GOV.UK, how long it lasts depends on the date you apply:
- Apply on or before December 31, 2026: the visa lasts 2 years.
- Apply on or after January 1, 2027: the visa lasts 18 months.
- PhD or other doctoral qualification: the visa lasts 3 years.
The length is set by your application date, not by the date you graduate or the date your course ends.
Who can apply for the Graduate visa
According to GOV.UK, you must:
- be in the UK when you apply, with a current Student visa;
- have studied a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree or another eligible course for the minimum period required on that visa; and
- have a university or college that has told the Home Office you completed your course.
You must apply before your Student visa expires. You can apply as soon as your provider has reported that you completed the course, and you do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony or certificate. A decision usually takes about 8 weeks, and you can stay in the UK while you wait.
What the Graduate visa costs
GOV.UK lists two payments for the Graduate visa:
- Application fee: £937.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: usually £1,035 for each year you will be in the UK.
These are separate from the Student visa costs you paid before you came. For those, see our guide to the UK student visa cost. Fees change, so check GOV.UK before you apply.
What you can and cannot do on the Graduate visa
GOV.UK says you can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed and do certain unpaid voluntary work. You cannot claim most public funds or the State Pension, and you cannot work as a professional sportsperson.
You cannot extend a Graduate visa. If you want to stay longer, you may be able to switch to another visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, if you meet its rules. That is why the shorter 18-month window matters: you have less time to find a sponsored job.
What this means for Nepali students starting in 2027
A student who starts a one-year master's in September 2027 will finish in 2028 and apply for the Graduate visa after January 1, 2027, so they should plan for 18 months. The same is true for undergraduates who start in 2027, because their degree ends years after the change.
Only students who finish their course and apply before the end of 2026 keep the 2-year length. If you are already in the UK, check your course end date and your Student visa expiry date, and apply on time and not early just for the longer visa.
Practical steps if you are planning to study in the UK:
- Plan for 18 months, not 2 years, when you work out your total budget and your return on the course.
- Choose courses with a clear route to a graduate-level job, and ask universities about placement years, internships and careers support. Our list of questions to ask UK universities can help.
- Start your job search early, because you cannot extend the visa and a Skilled Worker switch needs a sponsoring employer.
- Read the full route guide. Our UK Graduate Route visa guide covers the visa in more depth.
- Keep the other rule changes in view. See our study abroad rule changes calendar and the UK international student levy.
Sources
Figures taken from GOV.UK in October 2026. Fees and rules change, so check GOV.UK before you apply. This guide was checked in October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the UK Graduate visa from 2027?
For applications made on or after January 1, 2027, the Graduate visa lasts 18 months. Applications made on or before December 31, 2026 get 2 years, and PhD or doctoral graduates get 3 years.
Does the Graduate visa length depend on when I graduate?
No. GOV.UK sets the length by the date you apply for the Graduate visa, not the date you graduate. You must apply while your Student visa is still valid and after your university reports that you completed your course.
How much does the UK Graduate visa cost?
GOV.UK lists an application fee of £937, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, usually £1,035 for each year you will be in the UK. Check GOV.UK for current amounts before you apply.
Can I extend the UK Graduate visa?
No. GOV.UK says you cannot extend a Graduate visa. You may be able to switch to another visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, if you meet its requirements and have a sponsoring employer.
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