UK Slashes Post-Study Visa to 18 Months Under Sweeping Immigration Policy Overhaul
Story: written by Uzuh Rita October 23,2025
Starting January 1, 2027, international graduates in the United Kingdom will have only 18 months to find employment after completing their studies — a significant reduction from the current two-year post-study work period.
The decision is part of an extensive package of immigration reforms unveiled in a white paper published in May and debated in Parliament last week.
According to the UK Home Office, the new measure aims to ensure that international graduates make stronger economic contributions to the country. In a statement issued on October 14, the ministry said recent data revealed that a large number of post-study visa holders failed to secure graduate-level employment, prompting the policy revision.
As part of the reforms, financial requirements for student visa applicants will be raised beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year. Students will now be required to demonstrate that they have adequate funds to sustain themselves throughout their stay. Although the Home Office did not state the new threshold, the current standard requires students studying in London to show proof of £1,483 per month for nine months, while those outside the capital must demonstrate access to £1,136 per month.
The government also announced a 32% hike in the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) — a fee employers pay when sponsoring skilled foreign workers. The ministry explained that the additional revenue will be invested in developing local talent and reducing reliance on foreign labour. Parliamentary approval for the increase is expected to begin later this week.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the reforms aim to promote better social cohesion and integration among migrants. “Anyone coming to the UK must learn our language and actively participate in society,” she stated.
Under the new rules, migrants will have to prove English proficiency equivalent to A-level standards across speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The test will be conducted by Home Office-approved examiners, and results will form part of the visa verification process. Mahmood said the change is intended to ensure newcomers can fully engage in the UK’s workforce and social life.
The reforms will also double the number of high-skilled entrants under special visa schemes targeting top researchers, designers, and film and TV industry creatives, with the aim of strengthening the UK’s position in innovation-driven fields.
Additional modifications to the Global Talent Visa are scheduled for 2026, aligning migration pathways with the country’s long-term economic goals.
While education and business groups have expressed mixed reactions to the reforms, government officials insist that the new structure will strike a balance between economic development and immigration control, ensuring that only the most capable and dedicated individuals remain and contribute meaningfully to the UK economy
