UK Budget: Two-Year Graduate Visa to Stay for 'High-Compliance' Universities
The UK Budget says graduates of high-compliance universities keep a two-year Graduate visa; others get 18 months from January 2027. What we know and what to do.
The UK government has partly reversed its plan to shorten the Graduate visa (the post-study work visa). In its Budget on 28 October 2026, it said graduates of "high-compliance universities" will keep two years, instead of the 18 months due to apply from January 2027.
At a glance
- What changed: the UK Budget on 28 October 2026 says graduates of "high-compliance" universities will get a 2-year Graduate visa.
- Everyone else: 18 months, for applications made from 1 January 2027.
- Apply before 1 January 2027? You get 2 years, whatever your university.
- Not decided yet: which universities count as "high-compliance".
What the Budget said
The Budget states that "the graduate visa duration will be set at two years for individuals who graduate from high-compliance universities" where there are "strong labour market outcomes", describing it as an extension "from 18 months to two years for eligible universities" (The PIE News, 28 Oct 2026).
Who gets what
| Situation | Graduate visa length |
|---|---|
| You apply before 1 January 2027 | 2 years (the current rule) |
| You apply from 1 January 2027, from a qualifying high-compliance university | 2 years (new Budget policy, details to come) |
| You apply from 1 January 2027, from other universities | 18 months (the cut announced in October 2025) |
| PhD and other doctoral graduates | 3 years (unchanged) |
The 18-month rule and the "apply before 1 January 2027" cut-off come from the Home Office's October 2025 rule changes (UKCISA).
What is not decided yet
This is policy intent, not yet a rule. The Budget did not define:
- what a "high-compliance" university is;
- what counts as "strong labour market outcomes";
- which universities will qualify, or how many.
The Home Office and the Department for Education will design the details, which are expected to be announced "in due course" (The PIE News). Until the change appears in the Immigration Rules on gov.uk, nobody can tell you for certain whether your university qualifies, so be wary of consultancies that claim to know.
How universities reacted
- Russell Group (Hollie Chandler, director of strategic policy): avoiding the planned cut for highly compliant universities "will help protect our reputation as a global study destination."
- Universities UK (Vivienne Stern, chief executive): a "welcome recognition" of what international students bring, adding that "the rules need to be stable and fair".
What students should do now
- If you graduate in 2026, apply before 1 January 2027 if you can. You get two years whatever your university.
- Choosing a university for 2027 or later? Watch for the official list of qualifying universities before you decide, and don't rely on rankings alone.
- Check the official source. Follow gov.uk: Graduate visa and your university's international student advice team.
The Budget also said the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa will be opened to graduates of the top 150 global institutions, with a larger cap (The PIE News).
For all the current UK student visa numbers (fees, funds, dependants), see UK student visa rules explained. Planning to stay long term? Graduate visa time will not count towards settlement under the new rules: see UK ILR changes: 5-year vs 10-year routes.
Sources: The PIE News, 28 Oct 2026 · ApplyBoard: UK update · StudyTravel Network · UKCISA