UK Reduces Graduate Route Visa to 18 Months Amid Immigration Overhaul

The UK government has published a White Paper on Immigration, outlining major reforms that will impact international students aspiring to study and work in the country. Among the changes are shorter post-study work rights, increased education costs, and tougher English proficiency rules.

Post-Study Work Visa Cut to 18 Months

Major Shift in the Graduate Route

The Graduate Route, first launched in July 2021, currently allows international graduates to stay in the UK for up to 24 months (or 36 months for PhD holders) to work or find work after finishing an eligible course. Under the proposed changes:

“White Paper on Immigration proposes to reduce the ability for Graduates to remain in the UK after their studies to a period of 18 months from the current 24 months (three years for PhD students).”

This reduction is expected to affect thousands of international students who have previously relied on this unsponsored visa route to gain work experience in the UK after graduation.

Rising Cost of Education for International Students

Proposed Levy on Higher Education Institutions

Another key proposal involves an increase in the cost of studying in the UK for foreign students. The government plans to introduce a levy on university revenue from international students, which will then be reinvested into skill development within the UK:

“Reforms proposed in the White Paper on Immigration will also push up the cost of studying in UK for international students.”

This move could affect affordability and potentially reduce the influx of students from developing countries.

Stricter English Language Requirements

Skilled Workers & Dependants Must Meet Higher Standards

The UK is also set to toughen English language requirements for both workers and their dependants:

“UK will increase language requirements for Skilled Workers and workers where a language requirement already applies from B1 to B2 (Independent User) levels.”

“UK will also introduce a new English language requirement for all adult dependants of workers and students at level A1 (Basic User) to align to spousal and partner routes and will work towards increasing this requirement over time.”

These rules aim to ensure that only proficient English speakers are allowed entry, affecting a large section of prospective immigrants and student dependants.

New Compliance Standards for Educational Institutions

Stricter Monitoring for Student Visa Sponsors

The UK government is introducing more stringent compliance measures for schools and universities that sponsor international students. These include improved visa success rates and course completion targets:

“Visa refusal rate must be under 10% (no change).”
“At least 95% of students must start their course (was 90% before).”
“At least 90% must finish their course (was 85% before).”

Institutions will also be rated under a Red-Amber-Green system to improve transparency and help genuine students identify trustworthy education providers.

“Colleges and universities will be rated Red, Amber, or Green based on how well they perform. This will be visible to both the public and the government.”

Conclusion

The UK’s proposed immigration reforms mark a turning point for international students and skilled workers. By reducing the Graduate Route visa duration from 24 to 18 months, tightening English language requirements, increasing educational costs through levies, and implementing stricter compliance norms for educational institutions, the UK is clearly prioritising skilled migration and education quality over sheer volume.

While these measures may help control immigration and ensure better preparedness among incoming students and workers, they are also likely to deter potential applicants, especially from non-English-speaking and developing countries.

Universities may experience a drop in foreign enrolments, and students will now have to plan more strategically—academically, financially, and professionally—before opting for the UK as a study destination.

The new system emphasizes merit, genuine intent, and linguistic proficiency, aligning immigration goals with national workforce needs. However, balancing control with inclusivity will be key to maintaining the UK’s reputation as a global education hub.