UK Student Visa Rules Explained Simply (Updated for 2026)

UK immigration rules for students have changed a lot since the government's May 2025 immigration white paper. This page separates what is already confirmed from what was only proposed, with the source for each number, so you can plan properly.

Update (1 November 2026): The UK Budget of 28 October 2026 says graduates of "high-compliance" universities will keep a two-year Graduate visa after January 2027. This is announced policy; the qualifying universities have not been named yet. Read the full story.

This article was also fully rewritten in November 2026. An earlier version presented some white-paper proposals as if they were already law; that has been corrected.

#The short version

#1. The Graduate Route is getting shorter

The Graduate Route lets you stay and work in the UK after finishing a UK degree, without a job offer. The Home Office confirmed in its October 2025 Statement of Changes that it will be cut:

• Bachelor's and master's graduates: 18 months instead of 2 years.
• PhD and other doctoral graduates: still 3 years.
• The cutoff is your application date. It applies to Graduate Route applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Applications made before then get the current 2 years (UKCISA, 14 October 2025).

New in the October 2026 Budget: the government says graduates of "high-compliance universities" with strong job outcomes will get two years instead of 18 months. "High-compliance" has not been defined and no list of universities has been published, so treat it as a promise until it appears in the Immigration Rules. Details here.

What this means for you: if your course ends in late 2026, you may still be able to apply before 1 January 2027 and get 2 years, as long as you meet the other requirements (including your university reporting that you completed the course). Check with your university's international student advice team.

#2. Visa fee and health surcharge

• Student visa fee: £558, from 8 April 2026, whether you apply from outside the UK or extend/switch inside the UK (it was £524 before).
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year for students, paid up front for the whole visa length.

So a student on a one-year master's typically pays the £558 visa fee plus the IHS for the length of the visa, which runs a few months beyond the course. Use the official visa fees calculator and the IHS guidance and calculator for your exact figure.

#3. How much money you need to show

From 11 November 2025 the maintenance (living costs) requirement for new Student visa applications is:

• £1,529 per month if you study in London;
• £1,171 per month elsewhere in the UK;

for up to 9 months. You usually also need to show any unpaid first-year tuition fees. The money must normally be held for 28 consecutive days before you apply (UKCISA; gov.uk: Student visa, money).

Example: a 12-month master's outside London needs 9 × £1,171 = £10,539 for living costs, plus remaining tuition fees.

#4. Dependants

For courses starting from January 2024, most international students cannot bring family members (dependants). The exceptions are students on postgraduate research programmes such as a PhD, and some government-funded scholarship holders (gov.uk: Student visa, family members).

#5. English language

You need to prove English at CEFR level B2 for a degree-level course (B1 below degree level), through an approved test or a university assessment, depending on your sponsor (gov.uk: Student visa, knowledge of English).

#6. Working while you study

On a degree-level course you can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time, and full time during official vacations, unless your CAS or visa says otherwise (gov.uk: Student visa, what you can and cannot do).

#What was proposed but is not (yet) a student rule

The May 2025 immigration white paper proposed several other changes, including:

• stricter compliance thresholds for universities that sponsor international students;
• a levy on universities' income from international students;
• making 10 years, rather than 5, the normal qualifying period for settlement (permanent residence), with ways to qualify faster.

Some of these need further legislation or consultation, and details change. Treat them as proposals until they appear in the official Immigration Rules or on gov.uk.

#Checklist before you apply

• CAS from a licensed sponsor.
• Maintenance funds held for 28 days, at the new monthly rates.
• English test or evidence your sponsor accepts.
• TB test certificate (required for applicants from Nepal; see gov.uk TB testing).
• Visa fee (£558) and IHS (£776 per year) budgeted.
• Preparation for a possible credibility interview.

#Sources

• UKCISA: Student update: changes to the Student and Graduate rules (14 October 2025)
• The PIE News: Shorter Graduate Route from January 2027, UK government confirms
• GOV.UK: Student visa · Visa fees · Immigration white paper, May 2025

Hamropedia is not a registered immigration adviser. For your own case, check gov.uk and talk to your university's international student advice team.