The Graduate visa (also called the Graduate Route or post-study work visa) lets you stay and work in the UK after you finish an eligible degree. From 1 January 2027, the length of the visa depends on when you apply.
| Your qualification | Apply on or before 31 Dec 2026 | Apply on or after 1 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 2 years | 18 months |
| Master’s degree (taught or research) | 2 years | 18 months |
| PhD or other doctoral qualification | 3 years | 3 years |
Source: GOV.UK – Graduate visa; confirmed by UKCISA.
What stays the same:
- You must be in the UK when you apply, holding a Student (or Tier 4 General) visa.
- Your university must confirm to the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.
- You must apply before your current Student visa expires.
- You cannot extend the Graduate visa, but you can switch to other routes such as the Skilled Worker visa if you find an eligible job. (UKCISA – Graduate route)
- You can work in most jobs at any skill level, or look for work, without needing a sponsor.
Which Nepali students are affected?
Most Nepali students who start UK courses from now on will get 18 months. The group that can still secure 2 years is small, and the window is short.
| Your situation | Likely Graduate visa length | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Finished a degree in summer 2026 and completion already confirmed | 2 years | Apply now, before your Student visa ends |
| One-year master’s started September 2025, finishing September–December 2026 | 2 years only if completion is confirmed and you apply by 31 Dec 2026 | Ask your university when results and completion will be reported to the Home Office |
| Master’s started January 2026, finishing around January 2027 | 18 months | Plan your job search for an 18-month window |
| Starting a UK course in January 2027 or September 2027 | 18 months | Factor 18 months into your cost and career planning |
| PhD students (any intake) | 3 years | No change |
These are typical timelines. Your exact position depends on your course end date, when your university reports your completion, and the end date on your eVisa. Check all three with your university’s international student advice team.
Can you apply before 31 December 2026 to get 2 years?
Yes, but only if your university has already confirmed your completion to the Home Office. You cannot apply early just to beat the deadline. GOV.UK says you can apply once your university reports completion, without waiting for your graduation ceremony or certificate. (GOV.UK)
Checklist for students finishing in late 2026:
- Ask your university now when your final results will be confirmed and reported to the Home Office.
- Submit coursework and dissertations on time. Extensions or resits can push your completion into 2027.
- Check your eVisa end date so you know your last possible day to apply.
- Prepare your documents early: passport or ID used for your Student visa, your CAS number, and your UKVI account details.
- Budget for the full fee and health surcharge (see the next section).
- Apply as soon as completion is confirmed, from inside the UK. Do not travel in a way that takes you outside the UK at the moment you need to apply.
GOV.UK says decisions usually take about 8 weeks after you apply and prove your identity. You can keep working under your Student visa conditions while you wait, so check those conditions with your university before taking on extra hours.
How much does the UK Graduate visa cost in 2026?
The application fee is £937. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), usually £1,035 per year of your visa. (GOV.UK)
| Visa length | Application fee | IHS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 months (apply from 1 Jan 2027) | £937 | £1,552.50 | £2,489.50 |
| 2 years (apply by 31 Dec 2026) | £937 | £2,070 | £3,007 |
| 3 years (PhD) | £937 | £3,105 | £4,042 |
Totals match the figures published by the University of Leeds. Fees and the IHS can change, so check GOV.UK on the day you apply.
The 18-month visa costs about £517 less, but you get 6 fewer months to work. For most graduates, those 6 months of salary are worth far more than the saving.
Is the UK still worth it for Nepali students?
For many students, yes. The UK still offers one-year master’s degrees, which means lower total tuition and living costs and an earlier start to your career. The trade-off is a shorter post-study work window than in some other countries.
| Destination | Post-study work for a master’s graduate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 18 months (from 1 Jan 2027); 3 years for PhD | Most master’s courses last 1 year; no sponsor needed during the Graduate visa (GOV.UK) |
| Australia | Up to 2 years (coursework master’s); up to 3 years (research master’s or PhD) | Age limits apply; extra time possible after regional study (Australian Migration Lawyers) |
| Canada | Up to 3 years, even for master’s programmes shorter than 2 years (minimum 8 months) | Most applicants must now show language test results (IRCC) |
| New Zealand | Up to 3 years, depending on your qualification and study | Fee from NZD 1,670 (Immigration New Zealand) |
Australian figures are taken from a migration law firm because the Department of Home Affairs page could not be loaded at the time of writing. Check the Home Affairs Subclass 485 page before applying.
When comparing countries, look at the full picture, not only post-study work:
- Course length and total cost. A one-year UK master’s plus 18 months of work can still cost less in total than a two-year master’s elsewhere.
- Your career path. If you plan to move into a sponsored job, what matters most is whether your field has employers who sponsor visas, not only the length of the post-study visa.
- Planning limits in other countries. Australia has set its 2027 national planning level for new international students at 295,000 (Study Australia), and Canada has also tightened study permit numbers in recent years.
If you are unsure which destination fits your budget and goals, Education Global’s counsellors can compare options with you.
How to make the most of an 18-month Graduate visa
With 6 fewer months, students who start planning on their first day will have a clear advantage. Before you leave Nepal and throughout your course:
- Choose your course with jobs in mind. Look at graduate outcomes and which employers recruit from the university.
- Use your part-time work rights well. UK work experience, even part-time, makes your CV stronger for UK employers.
- Start applying for graduate jobs early. Many large UK employers open graduate schemes in the autumn before you finish.
- Check whether employers in your field sponsor visas. If you want to stay longer than 18 months, you will usually need a job that meets the Skilled Worker requirements.
- Use your university careers service from term one, not after graduation.
- Keep your timeline simple. Avoid resits or late submissions that delay your completion and shorten your working time.
A clear plan before you apply can matter more than six extra months on a visa.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UK Graduate visa being reduced to 18 months? Yes. Applications made on or after 1 January 2027 get 18 months. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 still get 2 years.
Does the 18-month rule depend on when I graduate or when I apply? It depends on when you apply. Your graduation ceremony date does not matter.
Are PhD students affected? No. PhD and other doctoral graduates still get 3 years.
Can I apply for the Graduate visa from Nepal? No. You must be in the UK on a Student visa when you apply.
Can I extend the Graduate visa after 18 months? No. You cannot extend it, but you can switch to another route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you meet its requirements.
How much does the 18-month Graduate visa cost? £937 for the application plus £1,552.50 in health surcharge, about £2,489.50 in total, based on GOV.UK rates in October 2026.
Should I still study in the UK from Nepal in 2027? It depends on your course, budget and career plans. A one-year UK master’s can still give good value, but plan your job search around an 18-month window.
Plan your UK study with Education Global
The Graduate visa change does not make the UK a bad choice. It means planning matters more. Education Global helps Nepali students choose the right course and university, prepare strong applications, and understand visa requirements before they apply.
Thinking about a January or September 2027 UK intake? Speak to an Education Global counsellor to compare your options and build a plan around the new 18-month Graduate visa.