Japa: UK issues new visa rule

The United Kingdom has announced a major change to its post-study work visa policy, reducing the period international graduates have to remain in the country after completing their studies from two years to 18 months, effective January 1, 2027.

The decision was confirmed by UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, as part of the government’s new immigration plan aimed at tightening migration rules while prioritising highly skilled talent.

According to a statement published on the UK Government’s website, the new measure is part of the country’s “Plan for Change” immigration white paper, which introduces stricter controls on who can live and work in the UK.

“The time for international students to find a graduate-level job after completing their studies will also be cut to 18 months from the current two years,” the statement read.

Additionally, the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), a fee paid by employers who sponsor foreign workers, will be increased by 32 percent starting 2027. The UK government stated that this increase is aimed at boosting investment in training British citizens and reducing dependence on foreign labour.

The government also announced that international students, including Nigerians, will be required to meet an A-level standard of English proficiency before qualifying for study, work, or settlement visas.

This policy shift comes amid ongoing concerns over the rising cost of studying in the UK. Tuition fees for undergraduate programmes are expected to rise by 3.1% in the 2025/26 academic year—from £9,250 to £9,535. Additional charges for overseas applicants are also set to be introduced, making higher education in the UK increasingly expensive.

Recent data shows a decline in the number of international students choosing the UK as their study destination in 2024, a trend experts link to previous immigration restrictions.

In January 2024, the UK government had already barred foreign students from bringing dependants, except those on postgraduate research programmes or government-funded scholarships.

The UK Home Office said the change in post-study work duration is based on evidence showing many international graduates were not securing graduate-level jobs within the two-year period, as the pathway was intended.

“To ensure graduates contribute effectively to the economy, the maximum post-study stay will be reduced to 18 months,” the statement added.

Nigeria is one of the largest sources of international students in the UK. The reduction in post-study work rights is expected to significantly influence study abroad decisions among Nigerians, who often rely on the Graduate Route Visa as a pathway to gain work experience and potentially settle in the UK.