What changed
The UK Home Office published a Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules on 14 October 2025 confirming that the Graduate route (post-study work visa) will be shortened. Bachelor's and master's degree holders who make a Graduate route application on or after 1 January 2027 will receive 18 months of permission to stay and work, down from the current 2 years. PhD and other doctoral graduates are unaffected and continue to receive 3 years.
Who is affected and when
The reduction only applies to Graduate route applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Students who complete their course and apply for the Graduate route before that date still receive the full 2 years. This was first proposed in the May 2025 Immigration White Paper 'Restoring control over the immigration system'.
What it means for students
Indian students planning UK master's degrees should factor in the timing: applying for the Graduate route before 1 January 2027 preserves the 2-year window, which gives more time to find a sponsored Skilled Worker job. Those starting later courses will have a shorter 18-month runway to secure long-term employment.