UK Graduate Route 2027: 18 Months Rule Explained for Indian Students
UK Graduate Route 2027, short answer: from 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa gives bachelor’s and master’s graduates 18 months of post-study work instead of 2 years. The date that counts is when you apply for the Graduate visa: apply on or before 31 December 2026 and you still get 2 years. PhD graduates keep 3 years. (GOV.UK)
If you are an Indian student planning a UK master’s for September 2026, January 2027 or September 2027, the UK Graduate Route 2027 change affects you directly. This guide explains who still gets 2 years, who gets 18 months, what the visa costs, and how to plan your 18 months so the degree still pays back your education loan.
UK Graduate Route 2027: what exactly changes on 1 January?
- Bachelor’s and master’s graduates: 18 months of Graduate visa if the application is made on or after 1 January 2027.
- PhD and other doctoral graduates: no change, still 3 years.
- Applications made on or before 31 December 2026: still get 2 years.
- The rule was announced in the UK Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1333) laid on 14 October 2025 (UKCISA).
The Home Office’s own impact assessment provisionally estimated a long-term reduction of about 12,000 student visa applications a year because of this change (ICEF Monitor). In other words, the UK still expects most students to keep coming.
Will I get 2 years or 18 months? (by intake)
| Your course | When you can usually apply for the Graduate visa | Likely Graduate visa |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year master’s, September 2025 intake | After results, around autumn 2026 | 2 years, if you apply by 31 Dec 2026 |
| 1-year master’s, January 2026 intake | Around early 2027 | 18 months in most cases |
| Master’s starting September 2026, January 2027 or September 2027 | 2027 or 2028 | 18 months |
| 3-year bachelor’s starting 2026 or 2027 | 2029 or later | 18 months |
| PhD (any intake) | After completion | 3 years |
You can apply as soon as your university has told the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. You do not need to wait for the graduation ceremony, but you must be in the UK and still hold your Student visa when you apply (GOV.UK). If you finish in late 2026, ask your university when it will report completion. A few weeks can decide whether you get 2 years or 18 months.
How much does the Graduate visa cost?
- Application fee: £937
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year, which is £1,552.50 for an 18-month visa
- Total for 18 months: £2,489.50, roughly ₹2.8–3 lakh depending on the exchange rate
- For comparison, the 2-year visa costs £937 + £2,070 = £3,007
Source: GOV.UK – Graduate visa costs (checked November 2026). Keep this money aside in your budget. Many families plan only for tuition and living costs and forget it.
The other change Indian families must plan for: higher bank balance from 30 November 2026
For Student visa applications made on or after 30 November 2026, the living-cost money you must show goes up:
- London: £1,570 a month (was £1,529), so £14,130 for 9 months
- Outside London: £1,203 a month (was £1,171), so £10,827 for 9 months
This is on top of any unpaid first-year tuition fee, and the money must be held for 28 consecutive days. Use our UK student visa funds calculator in INR to see your exact figure, and read the full UK student visa bank balance guide for the FD and education loan rules.
Is the UK still worth it under the UK Graduate Route 2027 rules?
For most of the students we counsel, yes, if the plan is made before choosing the course and not after landing in the UK. A one-year master’s plus 18 months of work rights still gives about two and a half years in the UK. What changes is that there is less time to drift. Here is the plan we now give families:
- Choose the course for employability, not only the ranking. Courses with a placement year, industry projects or strong careers services give you a head start.
- Start the job search during the course. Graduate schemes in the UK often open applications 9–12 months before the start date.
- Target employers who can sponsor. The Graduate visa cannot be extended. To stay longer you need to switch to another route, usually the Skilled Worker visa, which needs a job with a licensed sponsor that meets its salary and skill rules. Check the current rules on GOV.UK before you rely on them.
- Do the loan arithmetic in rupees. Work out how many months of UK salary you need to repay the loan, and check that it fits inside 18 months.
- Finishing in late 2026? Apply for the Graduate visa as soon as your completion is reported, before 31 December 2026, to lock in 2 years.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 18-month rule apply to students already studying in the UK?
Yes. It depends only on the date you apply for the Graduate visa, not on when you started your course. Anyone who applies on or after 1 January 2027 gets 18 months (3 years for PhD).
Can I extend the Graduate visa after 18 months?
No. The Graduate visa cannot be extended. You can switch to another visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you meet its requirements.
Do I need a job offer to get the Graduate visa?
No. You need to be in the UK on a Student visa, have successfully completed an eligible course, and your university must have reported this to the Home Office.
Can my spouse come with me on the Graduate visa?
Only if they were already in the UK as your dependant on your Student visa. Since January 2024, most master’s students cannot bring dependants unless they are on a PhD or other research-based course.
Should I choose Ireland or another country instead?
It depends on your course, budget and career plan. Ireland usually gives master’s graduates up to 2 years of stay-back. Compare the full cost and the work rights side by side before deciding. Our counsellors can do this comparison with you for free.