UK slashes graduate visa from two years to 18 months

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The UK government has cut the Graduate Route visa from two years to 18 months, part of a sweeping crackdown on what it describes as “systemic abuse and mission drift” in international education, asylum, and family immigration.

The announcement, part of a broader Immigration White Paper released Monday, is paired with tougher compliance rules for universities, a legal reset on asylum and deportation decisions, and stricter enforcement powers to curb visa fraud.

“Migration must be controlled and compliant. Our reforms will close the backdoors and shut down abuse across the system,” the Home Office stated on its website.

Graduate Route Shortened, Sponsors Face Scrutiny

The Graduate Route — previously offering two years of post-study work rights — will now offer only 18 months, with a tighter pathway to work visas and fewer rights to bring dependants.

“The Graduate Route has not met its original objectives.

“It has become a loophole for unsponsored work and a magnet for abuse,” the document said.

Only institutions meeting “enhanced compliance standards” will be allowed to retain international recruitment licenses. Universities found to have low progression-to-work rates or engaged in misleading recruitment practices will face sanctions.

“We will take action against sponsors who undermine the integrity of the system,” it added.

Asylum Claims’ New Rejection Rules

The asylum system will also be restructured.

Applicants whose home country conditions have not materially changed — or who fail to claim upon arrival — may now be automatically refused under new admissibility rules.

“We will prevent late, opportunistic asylum claims and re-establish control over our border.