{"id":281,"date":"2026-08-17T13:06:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T12:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/?p=281"},"modified":"2026-08-17T13:13:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T12:13:08","slug":"the-six-month-question-britain-is-cutting-the-graduate-visa-and-students-are-counting-the-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/2026\/08\/17\/the-six-month-question-britain-is-cutting-the-graduate-visa-and-students-are-counting-the-months\/","title":{"rendered":"The Six-Month Question: Britain Is Cutting the Graduate Visa, and Students Are Counting the Months"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From January, international graduates get eighteen months instead of two years. The experts say it is manageable. The students living it are not so sure.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By <a href=\"https:\/\/linktr.ee\/ameyaedvankar\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"linktr.ee\/ameyaedvankar\">Ameya Edvankar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Six-Month Question: Britain Just Cut the Graduate Visa to 18 Months\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Xs_6lCApTlc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><br><em>VIDEO: The six-month question, heard from Newcastle and Mumbai.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From 1 January 2027, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/graduate-visa\">graduate route visa<\/a> will be cut from two years to eighteen months for anyone finishing a bachelor&#8217;s or a master&#8217;s degree. PhD graduates keep three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apply on or before 31 December 2026 and you still receive the full two years. The deadline is the application date, not the day your course ends.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/IMG20260715112025-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/IMG20260715112025-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/IMG20260715112025-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/IMG20260715112025-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/IMG20260715112025-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/IMG20260715112025-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/IMG20260715112025-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/IMG20260715112025-1980x1114.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Newcastle University. International graduates applying from January will receive eighteen months of post-study work permission instead of two years. (Original Picture: Ameya Edvankar)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The change was proposed in the government&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/commonslibrary.parliament.uk\/research-briefings\/cbp-10267\/\">May 2025 Immigration White Paper<\/a> and became law through a Statement of Changes laid before Parliament on <a href=\"https:\/\/thepienews.com\/shorter-graduate-route-from-january-2027-uk-govt-confirms\/\">14 October 2025<\/a>. It is settled, not a proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the two visas actually do<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>student visa<\/strong> lets you study. It needs a place at a licensed university, an English test, and proof you can support yourself. Most taught master&#8217;s students have not been able to bring dependants since January 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>graduate route<\/strong>, still widely called the PSW, is what comes next. It lets you stay and work, or look for work, with no job offer, no sponsor and no salary floor. You can only hold it once and you cannot extend it. To stay beyond it you must switch to a Skilled Worker visa, which does require an employer to sponsor you.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-timeline-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-timeline-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-timeline-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-timeline-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-timeline-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-timeline-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-timeline.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><br>How the graduate visa was cut, from launch to the eighteen-month rule. (Original Graphic: Ameya Edvankar)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;They gave everyone time&#8221;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dhruv-krishnaraj-80790674\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dhruv-krishnaraj-80790674\/\">Dhruv Krishnaraj<\/a> founded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.studentcircus.com\/\">Student Circus<\/a>, which helps international students find work in Britain. He defends how the change was handled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I would say it&#8217;s a very positively holistic decision taken by the government in a very thoughtful way.&#8221;<br><strong>Dhruv Krishnaraj, Director and Co-Founder, Student Circus<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/dhruv_1715251826.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-284\" style=\"width:379px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/dhruv_1715251826.png 600w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/dhruv_1715251826-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/dhruv_1715251826-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Dhruv Krishnaraj, Director and Co-Founder of Student Circus. (Image Courtesy: Student Circus)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His argument is that nobody was caught out. Students already on a one-year master&#8217;s keep their two years, and those on longer courses were told years in advance. His advice is blunt: start applying for jobs twelve months before you graduate, because British hiring moves slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But he does not defend all of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It locks a lot of students out from that eligibility.&#8221;<br><strong>Dhruv Krishnaraj, <strong>Director and Co-Founder, Student Circus<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is talking about graduate schemes. Many run for two years. Employers use them to test international graduates before deciding whether to sponsor them. An eighteen-month visa does not cover a two-year scheme, so the student cannot apply at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The maths students are doing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ananya-rajesh-sonawane-b223b8391\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ananya-rajesh-sonawane-b223b8391\/\">Ananya Rajesh Sonawane<\/a> is applying in October, before the deadline, so she keeps two years. She still sees the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;You&#8217;ll be investing the same as the previous years and you&#8217;ll be getting less for that.&#8221;<br><strong>Ananya Rajesh Sonawane, Newcastle University<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"861\" height=\"861\" data-id=\"289\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-1-edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-1-edited-1.jpg 861w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-1-edited-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-1-edited-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-1-edited-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 861px) 100vw, 861px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"810\" height=\"810\" data-id=\"288\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-2-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-2-edited.jpg 810w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-2-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-2-edited-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Ananya-2-edited-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em>Ananya Rajesh Sonawane, student ambassador at Newcastle University and digital marketing intern at Pegasus. (Image Courtesy: Ananya Rajesh Sonawane)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She points at hiring timelines. Large employers can take three to six months from application to offer, and often do not reply quickly. Start that process late on an eighteen-month visa and the clock runs out mid-interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indian nationals received <a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/immigration\/95-231-uk-study-visas-granted-to-indians-23-share-of-work-permits-in-2025-126022700221_1.html\">90,153 graduate route extensions<\/a> in the year to December 2025, about 42 per cent of the total, ahead of Nigeria and Pakistan. Overall grants fell 6 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-who-uses-it-1024x640.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-who-uses-it-1024x640.png 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-who-uses-it-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-who-uses-it-768x480.png 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-who-uses-it-1536x960.png 1536w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-who-uses-it-1200x750.png 1200w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/graphic-who-uses-it.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><br>Indian nationals took the largest share of graduate route extensions in 2025. (Original Graphic: Ameya Edvankar)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The view from Mumbai<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/akanksha-rogay-120615201\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/akanksha-rogay-120615201\/\">Akanksha Rogay<\/a> has spent six years advising Indian students on studying in the UK. She thinks the alarm is overstated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The impact is very minimal because clarity is there. They&#8217;re not diving into uncertain waters.&#8221;<br><strong>Akanksha Rogay, Former Education Counsellor, Edwise International<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1259\" height=\"1259\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Akanksha-1-edited-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-293\" style=\"width:437px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Akanksha-1-edited-1.png 1259w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Akanksha-1-edited-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Akanksha-1-edited-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Akanksha-1-edited-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Akanksha-1-edited-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Akanksha-1-edited-1-1200x1200.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1259px) 100vw, 1259px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Akanksha Rogay, former education counsellor at Edwise International, Mumbai. (Image Courtesy: Akanksha Rogay)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her point is that Britain does not change the rules underneath people. Students who arrived in 2025 were promised two years and got two years. On the falling numbers, she is equally calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It is not because this is not a choice, it&#8217;s just because there are other options.&#8221;<br><strong>Akanksha Rogay, Former Education Counsellor, Edwise International<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What eighteen months feels like<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/arpitarc\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/arpitarc\/\">Arpita Roy Choudhury<\/a> arrived on a full scholarship. She has given herself three months to find a job. If nothing lands by December, she will not apply for the visa at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Eighteen months is actually a crunch. It&#8217;s a very high pressure, high stakes debt you&#8217;re taking.&#8221;<br><strong>Arpita Roy Choudhury, Newcastle University<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1040\" height=\"1040\" data-id=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-2-edited-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-2-edited-2.jpg 1040w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-2-edited-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-2-edited-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-2-edited-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-2-edited-2-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1040px) 100vw, 1040px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1949\" height=\"1949\" data-id=\"298\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-1-edited.jpg 1949w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-1-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-1-edited-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-1-edited-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-1-edited-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-1-edited-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/Arpita-1-edited-1200x1200.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1949px) 100vw, 1949px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em>Arpita Roy Choudhury, current student at Newcastle University and full scholarship recipient. (Image Courtesy: Arpita Roy Choudhury)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government&#8217;s own <a href=\"https:\/\/commonslibrary.parliament.uk\/research-briefings\/cbp-10267\/\">impact assessment<\/a> expects the change to reduce student visa applications by around 12,000 a year. It made that trade knowingly. In 2024 the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/rapid-review-of-the-graduate-route\">Migration Advisory Committee<\/a> reviewed the route, found abuse very low and recommended keeping it as it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dame Chi Onwurah MP was approached for comment and was not available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two cities, one question<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the last of five stories reported between <a href=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/2026\/08\/17\/india-at-80-in-newcastle-the-people-who-made-this-city-home\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/2026\/08\/17\/india-at-80-in-newcastle-the-people-who-made-this-city-home\/\">Newcastle and Mumbai.<\/a> They began with <a href=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/2026\/08\/09\/missing-home-your-guide-to-indian-food-in-newcastle\/\">food<\/a> and ended with a deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Between them sits a <a href=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/2026\/08\/17\/a-self-inflicted-wound-what-falling-student-numbers-are-doing-to-newcastle\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/2026\/08\/17\/a-self-inflicted-wound-what-falling-student-numbers-are-doing-to-newcastle\/\">\u00a335 million shortfall<\/a> at Newcastle University, around 300 jobs, and 44 days of strike action, all traced back to international students who did not arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The people who advise students say eighteen months is enough. The students counting the months have already started planning their exit. Britain is about to find out which of them was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Six months, and a decision that follows you home.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"301\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/pang-yuhao-_kd5cxwZOK4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/pang-yuhao-_kd5cxwZOK4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/pang-yuhao-_kd5cxwZOK4-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/pang-yuhao-_kd5cxwZOK4-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/pang-yuhao-_kd5cxwZOK4-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/pang-yuhao-_kd5cxwZOK4-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/pang-yuhao-_kd5cxwZOK4-unsplash-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/pang-yuhao-_kd5cxwZOK4-unsplash-1980x1320.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" data-id=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/john-mcarthur-8KLLgqHMAv4-unsplash-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/john-mcarthur-8KLLgqHMAv4-unsplash-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/john-mcarthur-8KLLgqHMAv4-unsplash-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/john-mcarthur-8KLLgqHMAv4-unsplash-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/john-mcarthur-8KLLgqHMAv4-unsplash-1536x993.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/john-mcarthur-8KLLgqHMAv4-unsplash-2048x1324.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/john-mcarthur-8KLLgqHMAv4-unsplash-1200x776.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25205\/2026\/08\/john-mcarthur-8KLLgqHMAv4-unsplash-1980x1280.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em>Graduation, and the flight that follows. From January, the visa in between gets six months shorter. (Image Courtesy: Pang Yuhao and John McArthur \/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About the author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ameya Edvankar is a multimedia journalism student at Newcastle University, reporting on the city and the people.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/about-me\/\">Read more about him here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow more of his work on Instagram at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ameyaedvankar\/?hl=en\">@ameyaedvankar<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ameya_frontrow\/?hl=en\">@ameya_frontrow<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/disclaimer\/https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/disclaimer\/\"><strong>DISCLAIMER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From January, international graduates get eighteen months instead of two years. The experts say it is manageable. The students living it are not so sure. By Ameya Edvankar From 1 January 2027, the graduate route visa will be cut from two years to eighteen months for anyone finishing a bachelor&#8217;s or a master&#8217;s degree. PhD [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":404,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=281"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/ameya-edvankar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}