The UK Home Office has announced a new immigration law to reduce the post-study stay period for international students from two years to 18 months, starting 1 January 2027. The change, introduced in Parliament this week, aims to tighten post-study work opportunities and ensure foreign graduates transition into skilled employment faster.
Under the new regulation, students who apply for the Graduate Visa on or before 31 December 2026 will still enjoy a two-year stay after completing their degree. However, those applying from 1 January 2027 onwards will only be granted an 18-month stay. Holders of PhD or doctoral degrees will continue to receive a three-year visa, as before.
The Graduate Visa, introduced to attract global talent, allows foreign graduates to remain in the UK to work or look for jobs without sponsorship. The Home Office, however, cited data showing that “many foreign students holding study visas had not transitioned into graduate-level employment as intended,” prompting the policy shift.
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The financial requirement for student visas is also set to increase for the 2025–2026 academic year, meaning international students will have to show proof of greater funds to support themselves. Currently, applicants must demonstrate they have £1,483 per month (for up to nine months) for courses in London, and £1,136 per month for courses outside London — funds that must be held for at least 28 consecutive days.
Additionally, a new ‘levy on university income from international students’ is expected to push tuition costs higher. Tuition fees for undergraduate programs have already risen by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535, for the 2025/26 academic year.
The UK government will also introduce stricter English language requirements for foreign nationals seeking to study, work, or settle in the UK.
The policy changes follow a period of fluctuating international student interest. After restrictions introduced in January 2024—which barred most students from bringing dependants unless on postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships—applications dipped significantly.
However, recent Home Office data shows signs of recovery. The first half of 2025 saw an 18% rise in total study visas issued compared with the same period in 2024, suggesting international students are beginning to return to UK universities despite the tightening rules.
