Does the UK offer an 18-month post-study work visa for a Master's?
Yes, the UK's Graduate Route visa becomes 18 months for Master's applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027, while applications made on or before December 31, 2026 still get 2 years. The visa needs no sponsorship, letting you work at any skill level, be self-employed, or job search freely.
Yes, an 18-month version of the UK's post-study visa does exist, but whether you get it depends entirely on your application date. The Graduate Route visa is the official name for this route, and it currently sits at a longer duration than 18 months for most current applicants.
Graduate Route Visa Length by Application Date
| Application Date | Duration |
|---|---|
| On or before December 31, 2026 | 2 years |
| On or after January 1, 2027 | 18 months |
What Else You Should Know
- The Graduate Route is unsponsored, so no job offer or company sponsor is needed to apply.
- You must apply from within the UK while your current Student visa is still valid.
- It cannot be extended, so you must switch to a route like the Skilled Worker visa before it expires to stay longer.
My Advice
Map your expected graduation and visa application date against the January 1, 2027 cutoff right now, since finishing your course and applying just before that date locks in the full 2-year Graduate Route instead of the shorter 18-month version.
More expert answers
Yes, if you apply for the UK Graduate Visa before 31 December 2026 after completing your master's degree, you are eligible for a 24-month (2-year) post-study work visa.
For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the duration will reduce to 18 months. Since your preferred intake is September 2026, plan to complete your application before the end of 2026 to receive the full 2-year post-study work period.
No, the UK Graduate Visa (post-study work permit) is not fixed at 18 months after a one-year master's program. The duration depends on when you apply:
- Apply on or before 31 Dec 2026: Visa is valid for 2 years
- Apply on or after 1 Jan 2027: Visa is valid for 18 months
This is due to upcoming UK immigration policy changes. For example, if you finish your master's in 2026 and apply before the end of that year, you get 2 years; if you apply in 2027 or later, you get 18 months.
Plan your application timing to maximize your post-study work period.
It depends on when you apply for the UK Graduate Visa (post-study work visa):
- Apply on or before 31 Dec 2026: Up to 2 years for Bachelor’s or Master’s graduates, 3 years for PhD graduates
- Apply on or after 1 Jan 2027: Up to 18 months for Bachelor’s or Master’s graduates, 3 years for PhD graduates
This change means most Master's graduates finishing after Jan 2027 will get an 18-month visa instead of 2 years. The Graduate Visa cannot be extended; you must switch to another visa type to stay longer.
If you need help planning your timeline, please reach out to your LeapScholar counsellor.
Yes, the UK offers a post-study work visa called the Graduate Visa. After completing an eligible bachelor's or master's degree in the UK, you can apply to stay and work for up to 18 months (for applications from 1 January 2027).
You can work at any skill level, be self-employed, or search for jobs without employer sponsorship. The Graduate Visa cannot be extended and does not directly lead to permanent residency. To stay longer, you must switch to another visa category, such as the Skilled Worker visa, which requires a job offer from a licensed UK employer.
No, the UK Graduate Visa (post-study work visa) will offer 18 months for master's graduates whose applications are submitted after 1 January 2027. The previous two-year duration applies only to those who apply on or before 31 December 2026.
Since you plan to start your master's in September 2027, you would be eligible for the 18-month Graduate Visa. This visa lets you work or look for work at any skill level but cannot be extended.
Visa rules are subject to change.
How long can you stay and work after a UK master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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