# UK Graduate Route set to shorten to 18 months under planned reforms

> The UK has announced plans to cut the Graduate Route to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates; confirm timing on GOV.UK.

The UK government announced in its 2025 Immigration White Paper plans to reduce the Graduate Route (post-study work visa) from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates, expected to take effect around 2027; doctoral graduates retain a longer period. The route still requires no job offer. If you graduate around this transition, the timing of your application matters. Durations and dates are set by the Home Office and can change — always confirm the current position on GOV.UK.

## Quick facts
- **Change:** 2 years → 18 months (bachelor's/master's)
- **From:** Expected ~2027 (Home Office to set the date)
- **Doctoral:** Longer period retained
- **Confirm:** GOV.UK — Graduate visa

## Key takeaways
- The Graduate Route is set to drop from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates.
- The change is expected to take effect around 2027; doctoral graduates keep a longer period.
- It still requires no job offer and no minimum salary to apply.
- If you graduate near the transition, application timing matters — confirm the rules on GOV.UK.

## What is changing
The UK government, in its 2025 Immigration White Paper, set out plans to shorten the Graduate Route: bachelor's and master's graduates would receive 18 months of post-study leave rather than two years, while doctoral graduates keep a longer period. The change is expected to take effect around 2027, on a date the government will set in the Immigration Rules. The route's core appeal is unchanged — you can work, or look for work, without a job offer or minimum salary. This is part of a broader tightening of post-study immigration, so the exact length and start date should always be checked against the current GOV.UK guidance.

## What it means for you
If you will graduate around the transition, plan your timing: the rules in force when you apply determine your length of stay. The Graduate Route remains a strong runway into the UK job market and a route you can later convert into the Skilled Worker visa. Study UK Now tracks every change and builds your post-study plan around the current rules so you maximise the time you are entitled to.

## Frequently asked questions
### Is the UK Graduate Route changing to 18 months?
The UK government has announced plans to reduce the Graduate Route from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates, expected around 2027, with doctoral graduates keeping a longer period. It remains a White Paper proposal until set in the Immigration Rules, so always confirm the current length and date on GOV.UK.

### Does the Graduate Route change affect doctoral (PhD) graduates?
Doctoral graduates are expected to retain a longer post-study period than the shortened 18 months proposed for bachelor's and master's graduates from around 2027. Because durations and dates can change, confirm the current position for your level of study on GOV.UK. Study UK Now plans your timeline around the rules in force.

## Sources
- [GOV.UK — Graduate visa](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) — GOV.UK, 2026-06-12
- [GOV.UK — Restoring control over the immigration system (White Paper, 2025)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper) — GOV.UK, 2026-06-12

Canonical: https://studyuknow.com/news/graduate-route-18-months-2027
Verified: 2026-06-18