Graduate Visa Statistics in UK 2026 show 157,356 Graduate route extension grants in the year ending June 2026, down 39% on the previous year, with Indian nationals receiving the most at 64,495. From January 1, 2027, new Graduate visas will last 18 months instead of two years, while PhD graduates keep three years.
Graduate Visa in the UK 2026 – Introduction
Graduate Visa in UK 2026 show a route that is shrinking before its rules even change. The Graduate route lets international students stay and work in the UK for two years after an eligible degree, or three years after a PhD. Grants fell 39% in the year ending June 2026, driven by a sharp drop in dependants. Indian nationals still received more grants than any other group. India, China, Nigeria, and Pakistan dominate every table, so the report tracks them most closely.
This report covers extension grants, the study visa pipeline, Indian students, nationality trends, new rules, graduate jobs, and salary thresholds. Home Office figures use rolling twelve-month windows, so each table names its period. Some prior-year figures are calculated from published percentage changes and are marked as implied. The report gives data only and is not immigration advice.
Interesting Fact(s): Graduate Visa Statistics in UK 2026 Confirmed Data
Sponsored Study Visas to Main Applicants, Top 2 (each █ = 5,000)
China | █████████████████ 86,000
India | █████████████████ 83,000
| Fact | Confirmed 2026 Data |
|---|---|
| Graduate route extension grants, year ending June 2026 | 157,356 (down 39%) |
| Indian Graduate route extensions, year ending June 2026 | 64,495 |
| Sponsored study visas, year ending June 2026 | 383,455 (down 11%) |
| Indian sponsored study visas, year ending June 2026 | 82,523 (23% of total) |
| Graduate visa length from January 1, 2027 | 18 months |
| Skilled Worker salary threshold | £41,700 |
| Graduate job vacancies, July 2026 | 8,383 (down 45.6%) |
| Applications per graduate vacancy (2025) | 140 |
Source: Home Office, Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026 (published August 27, 2026); Adzuna; Institute of Student Employers.
China and India lead sponsored study visas. Together they account for 46% of grants to main applicants, with 86,000 for China and 83,000 for India. India’s exact count is 82,523, which is 23% of the total and 16% below the previous year. Study visas total 383,455, down 11%, and they feed the Graduate route a year or two later.
The Graduate route itself fell to 157,356 extension grants, and Indians received 64,495 of them. The rules tighten on January 1, 2027, when the visa drops to 18 months. Skilled Worker sponsorship now needs £41,700 or the going rate. The job market adds pressure, with only 8,383 advertised graduate vacancies in July 2026 and 140 applications per role in 2025.
UK Graduate Visa Statistics 2026: Graduate Route Extension Grants by Period
Graduate Route Extension Grants (each █ = 10,000)
YE Mar 2025 (implied) | ██████████████████████████ ~261,000
YE Mar 2026 | █████████████████ 167,214
YE Jun 2025 (implied) | ██████████████████████████ ~258,000
YE Jun 2026 | ████████████████ 157,356
| Period | Extension Grants | Change on Prior Year |
|---|---|---|
| Year ending March 2025 (implied) | About 261,000 | Not applicable |
| Year ending March 2026 | 167,214 | −36% |
| Year ending June 2025 (implied) | About 258,000 | Not applicable |
| Year ending June 2026 | 157,356 | −39% |
Source: Home Office, Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026 and year ending June 2026; Wonkhe analysis. Implied figures calculated from published percentage changes.
Grants fell 36% to 167,214 in the year to March 2026 and 39% to 157,356 in the year to June 2026. The implied prior-year totals were about 261,000 and 258,000. The Home Office says the fall comes mostly from an 81% drop in grants to dependants after the family rules tightened. Main applicants are a separate measure.
The Migration Observatory counts main applicants differently. It reports 165,000 former students receiving a Graduate visa in 2025 and another 85,000 in the first six months of 2026. The two series measure different things, since extension grants include dependants. Do not add them together.
UK Graduate Visa Applications 2026: Sponsored Study Visas and Withdrawals
Sponsored Study Visas Granted (each █ = 25,000)
YE Jun 2023 peak (implied) | ██████████████████████████ ~650,000
YE Jun 2026 | ███████████████ 383,455
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Sponsored study visas, year ending June 2026 | 383,455 (down 11%) |
| Main applicants | 366,000 (down 12%) |
| Fall from year ending June 2023 peak | 41% |
| Study extension grants | 38,994 |
| Pakistani main applications, Q2 2025 vs Q2 2026 | 6,161 vs 980 |
| Applications withdrawn, first half of 2026 | 10.5% (against 2.3% a year earlier) |
Source: Home Office, Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026; Wonkhe; analysis of Home Office data reported by Career Abroad.
Study visas feed the Graduate route, so today’s falls become tomorrow’s smaller graduate cohorts. Grants to main applicants dropped 12% to 366,000, and total study grants sit 41% below the peak of about 650,000 in the year to June 2023. Dependants held steady in the latest year. Study extensions reached 38,994.
Applications dropped sharply for some nationalities. Pakistani main applications fell from 6,161 in the second quarter of 2025 to 980 in the second quarter of 2026, a fall of 84%. Withdrawals rose to 10.5% in the first half of 2026, from 2.3%, according to an analysis of Home Office data. That analysis is secondary reporting, so check it against Home Office tables.
Indian Students UK Graduate Visa Statistics 2026: Study, Graduate, Work and Settlement Grants
Indian Nationals by Route, YE June 2026 (each █ = 10,000)
Sponsored study visas | ████████ 82,523
Graduate extensions | ██████ 64,495
Work visas | █████ 47,009
Settlement | ████ 35,384
Citizenship | ██ 24,851
| Route | Indian Nationals, Year Ending June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Sponsored study visas | 82,523 (down 16%) |
| Graduate route extensions | 64,495 |
| Work visas (including dependants) | 47,009 |
| Settlement grants | 35,384 (up 51%) |
| British citizenship grants | 24,851 |
| Study extensions | 5,218 |
Source: Home Office, Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026 (published August 27, 2026).
India is the largest nationality in nearly every route. Indians received 82,523 study visas, 64,495 Graduate extensions, and 47,009 work visas. That work total is nearly a fifth of all work visas granted. Indian share of Graduate extensions was about 41%, close to the 42% share in the year to December 2025. Study visas to Indians fell 16%, which points to fewer Indian graduates in coming years.
The downstream numbers rose. Indian nationals received 35,384 settlement grants, up 51%, and 24,851 citizenship grants, the most of any nationality. Another 5,218 extended their study visa. The Home Office says the settlement rise was driven by people on work routes and British National (Overseas) visa holders.
Graduate Visa Grants by Nationality 2026: India, Nigeria and Pakistan
Graduate Route Extensions by Nationality (each █ = 5,000)
India Dec 2025 | ██████████████████ 90,153
India Mar 2026 | ██████████████ 70,371
Nigeria Dec 2025 | ████████ 42,220
Nigeria Mar 2026 | ████ 22,099
Pakistan Dec 2025 | ██████ 30,464
Pakistan Mar 2026 | █████ 24,404
| Nationality | Year Ending December 2025 | Year Ending March 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 90,153 | 70,371 | −21.9% |
| Nigeria | 42,220 | 22,099 | −47.7% |
| Pakistan | 30,464 | 24,404 | −19.9% |
| Top three combined | 162,837 | 116,874 | −28.2% |
Source: Home Office, Immigration System Statistics, year ending December 2025 and year ending March 2026. Changes are calculated between rolling twelve-month windows.
The three biggest nationalities account for most grants, and each fell between windows. India dropped from 90,153 to 70,371, a fall of 21.9%. Pakistan dropped from 30,464 to 24,404, down 19.9%. Nigeria fell hardest, from 42,220 to 22,099, down 47.7%. The Home Office notes that Nigerian grants fell by nearly two-thirds compared with the year to March 2025.
Combined, the three fell 28.2%, from 162,837 to 116,874. The two windows overlap by nine months, so the change is not a clean year-on-year comparison. Dependant restrictions explain most of the drop. India still holds the largest share, with 60.2% of the three-country total in March 2026, up from 55.4% in December 2025.
UK Graduate Visa Rules 2026: New 18-Month Route and Key Dates
Graduate Visa Length in Months (each █ = 2 months)
Current (apply by Dec 31, 2026) | ████████████ 24
From Jan 1, 2027 | █████████ 18
PhD and doctoral graduates | ██████████████████ 36
| Rule | Detail | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate visa length | 18 months (bachelor’s and master’s) | Applications from January 1, 2027 |
| Current length | 24 months | Applications by December 31, 2026 |
| PhD and doctoral graduates | 36 months | Unchanged |
| Skilled Worker salary threshold | £41,700 or the going rate | In force |
| English requirement | B2 level | January 8, 2026 |
| Dependants for UK-born children of Graduate visa holders | New route | August 3, 2026 |
Source: Home Office, Statement of Changes HC 1333 (laid October 14, 2025) and HC 259 (laid July 9, 2026); GOV.UK immigration rules.
The cut to 18 months applies to applications made on or after January 1, 2027. Anyone who applies by December 31, 2026 keeps 24 months, and PhD graduates keep 36 months. The Home Office says many holders did not move into graduate-level jobs. The route cannot be extended, and it is granted only once. Many students graduating in late 2026 can still apply before January 1, 2027 and receive two years.
Other rules changed alongside it. Skilled Worker needs £41,700 or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher, and B2 English since January 8, 2026. A new route covers UK-born children of Graduate visa holders from August 3, 2026. A levy on university international student income is proposed, with draft legislation aimed at the 2028–29 academic year.
UK Graduate Jobs 2026: Vacancies, Applications per Role and Hiring Trends
Advertised UK Graduate Vacancies, July (each █ = 1,000)
July 2025 | ███████████████ 15,397
July 2026 | ████████ 8,383
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Adzuna graduate vacancies, July 2026 | 8,383 (down 45.6% from 15,397) |
| Applications per graduate vacancy, ISE 2025 | 140 (highest since 1991) |
| Applications per vacancy, 2002–03 | 38 |
| ISE graduate hiring, 2024/25 | Down 8% |
| ISE forecast, 2025/26 | Down a further 7% |
| Top 100 employer graduate recruitment, 2022–2025 | Down 24.5% |
Source: Adzuna (reported by NDTV and Outlook Money, 2026); Institute of Student Employers Student Recruitment Survey 2025; High Fliers, The Graduate Market in 2026.
Advertised graduate vacancies fell from 15,397 in July 2025 to 8,383 in July 2026, a drop of 45.6%. Employers received 140 applications per graduate vacancy in 2025, against 38 in 2002–03, which is 3.7 times as many. The ISE reports graduate hiring down 8% in 2024/25 with another 7% fall forecast. The Work Foundation found that more than one-third of UK employers cut entry-level opportunities for young workers in the past year. Top 100 employers cut graduate recruitment by 24.5% between 2022 and 2025.
International graduates face this market with a shorter visa. A graduate with 18 months has less time to find a sponsor than one with 24. Adzuna counts advertised vacancies only, so it does not capture every graduate job. Indeed reported graduate postings about 7% lower than a year earlier in July 2026. The measures differ in size, but all of them point downward.
Skilled Worker Salary Bar 2026: Graduate Pay vs Visa Thresholds
Annual Salary in Thousands of Pounds (each █ = £1,000)
Median graduate starting salary | █████████████████████████████████ £33,000
New entrant threshold (some) | █████████████████████████████████ £33,400
General Skilled Worker minimum | ██████████████████████████████████████████ £41,700
| Salary Measure | Annual Figure |
|---|---|
| Median graduate starting salary (ISE) | £33,000 |
| New entrant threshold, some cases | £33,400 |
| General Skilled Worker threshold | £41,700 |
| Gap: general threshold over median graduate pay | £8,700 |
| Gap in percentage terms | 26.4% |
Source: Institute of Student Employers; GOV.UK Skilled Worker salary rules, 2026. Gap calculated by the author.
Median graduate starting pay is £33,000, which is £8,700, or 26.4%, below the £41,700 general threshold. New entrants, including people switching from a Graduate visa, may meet a lower threshold of about £33,400 in some cases. That is only £400 above median graduate pay. The occupation’s going rate can also set a higher floor.
The gap explains why the sponsorship step is hard. Roles must also meet the RQF 6 skill level, introduced on July 22, 2025. A median graduate job barely clears the lower new entrant bar and misses the general one by a wide margin. Employers must also sponsor the role, so pay is only one of several tests.
UK Work Visas 2026: The Skilled Worker Route Graduates Aim For
UK Grants, Year Ending June 2026 (each █ = 10,000)
Citizenship | █████████████████████████ ~246,000
Work visas, all | ████████████████████████ 235,000
Settlement | ████████████████████ ~200,000
Work visas, main | ████████████ 120,000
Returns from the UK | ████ 41,000
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Work visas granted, including dependants | 235,000 (down 18%) |
| Fall from year ending December 2023 peak | 62% |
| Work visas to main applicants | 120,000 (down 76% from peak) |
| Settlement grants | About 200,000 (up 24%) |
| Citizenship grants | About 246,000 |
| Returns from the UK | 41,000 (up 8%) |
Source: Home Office, Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026 (published August 27, 2026), as reported by Personnel Today and Visa Guru.
Work visas fell to 235,000 including dependants, which is 18% below the previous year and 62% below the peak. Main applicants received 120,000, 76% below their peak, so dependants account for the other 115,000, or about 49%. These counts cover entry visas and exclude Graduate route holders who switch inside the UK. They still show how few sponsored jobs the market supports.
Settlement moved the other way. About 200,000 people received it, up 24% and the highest total since 2011. Citizenship reached about 246,000. Returns rose 8% to 41,000, including about 9,700 enforced and 31,000 voluntary returns. Graduate visa holders who stay long enough to switch routes join this larger settlement pool.
Graduate Visa in UK 2026 FAQs
How many Graduate visas were granted in the UK in 2026?
The Home Office recorded 157,356 Graduate route extension grants in the year ending June 2026, down 39% from the previous year.
How long is the UK Graduate visa in 2026?
24 months for applications made by December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2027, bachelor’s and master’s graduates get 18 months, and PhD graduates get 36 months.
Which nationality gets the most UK Graduate visas?
India. Indian nationals received 64,495 Graduate route extensions in the year ending June 2026, about 41% of the total.
How many Indian students get UK study visas?
82,523 Indian main applicants received sponsored study visas in the year ending June 2026, which is 23% of the total and 16% lower than a year earlier.
Why are Graduate visa numbers falling?
Grants to dependants fell by 81% after the Home Office tightened family rules for students. Fewer study visas also mean fewer future graduates.
Can the Graduate visa be extended?
No. It is granted once and cannot be extended. You need a sponsor and a qualifying Skilled Worker job to stay.
What salary do I need to switch to a Skilled Worker visa?
The general threshold is £41,700 or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher. A lower new entrant threshold of about £33,400 applies in some cases.
How hard is it to find a graduate job in the UK in 2026?
Adzuna counted 8,383 advertised graduate vacancies in July 2026, down 45.6% in a year. Employers received 140 applications per vacancy in 2025.
Does time on the Graduate visa count toward settlement?
No. Time on the Graduate route does not count toward work-route settlement, but it can count toward the ten-year long residence route.
How many work visas were granted in the UK in 2026?
The Home Office granted 235,000 work visas including dependants in the year ending June 2026, down 18% from the year before.
How many people got settlement in the UK in 2026?
About 200,000 people received settlement in the year ending June 2026, up 24% and the highest total since 2011. Indian nationals received 35,384.
Do Graduate visa holders need a sponsor to work?
No. The Graduate route is unsponsored, so holders can work or look for work. A sponsor is only needed to switch to a Skilled Worker visa.
Can Graduate visa holders bring family members?
Most new student dependants are restricted. A route for UK-born children of Graduate visa holders opened on August 3, 2026.
What is the international student levy?
It is a proposed levy on the income universities earn from international students. The government has drafted legislation aimed at the 2028–29 academic year.
What happens if I apply for the Graduate visa before December 31, 2026?
You receive 24 months and keep it. The 18-month rule applies only to applications made on or after January 1, 2027.
Which nationality gets the most British citizenship grants?
Indian nationals, with 24,851 grants in the year ending June 2026. Pakistani nationals followed with 18,489.
How many Nigerian and Pakistani graduates get the visa?
In the year to March 2026, Nigerian nationals received 22,099 Graduate route extensions and Pakistani nationals received 24,404, both lower.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
