Figures in force

Changes since

The handbook

Figures in force

UK visa rules for students and graduates, as of .

Checked against GOV.UK on . Not a government website.

The glass-walled tower of the King's Library at the British Library, filled with books
Plate 27. The King's Library tower at the British Library in London. Photo: Immanuel Giel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Adapted (greyscale, cropped).

Figures in force

Figures in force
Figure In force Since Authority
General salary threshold No longer applies: £38,700 Applies today: £41,700Note F1 SW 4.4 option A, HC 997 (gov.uk)

F1 Substituted by HC 997, APP SW2. In force . Show what it said before

New-entrant salary floor No longer applies: £30,960 Applies today: £33,400Note F2 SW 4.4 option E, HC 997 (gov.uk)

F2 Substituted by HC 997, APP SW4. In force . Show what it said before

Graduate visa length 2 years Scheduled: 18 months for applications from Start date not verified GR 8.1, HC 1333 (gov.uk)
Employers with a Skilled Worker licence 121,996 register of Home Office register of licensed sponsors: workers, file of 5 October 2026 (gov.uk)

All figures in force, with Cite and CSV

Routes

Route sheet: the routes open after study, answered in words
RouteLengthNeeds a sponsorCan switch to Skilled Worker inside the UK
Student Your course, then 4 months more after a course of 12 months or longer Yes, a licensed student sponsor assigns the CAS Yes, if one of three conditions applies
Graduate 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026; 18 months after that; 3 years after a doctorate No. It is an unsponsored route Yes, you may be able to switch
Skilled Worker Up to 5 years before you need to extend Yes, an employer listed as A-rated on the register This is the Skilled Worker route
High Potential Individual 2 years No. You do not need a job offer to apply Yes, before the HPI visa expires
Youth Mobility Scheme Up to 24 months See GOV.UK Yes, inside the UK
BN(O) 2 years and 6 months, or 5 years See GOV.UK Yes, inside the UK
Global Talent Up to 5 years at a time No. You do not need a job offer Yes, inside the UK

Every visa route after graduation, with the rule behind each answer and the switching chart.

What changed

  1. 26 March 2027 Scheduled

    Settlement applications on Skilled Worker and other routes will need English at a higher level.

    Skilled Worker. HC 1691, laid , SW 22A.1.

  2. 1 January 2027 Scheduled

    The Graduate visa is shortened for applications made from 1 January 2027.

    No longer applies: 2 years Will apply: 18 months

    Graduate. HC 1333, laid , APP GR3. In the rules from .

  3. 8 October 2026 In force

    BN(O) dependants who apply to settle while still children no longer need a period of continuous residence.

    BN(O). HC 584, laid , APP HK1.

The general threshold rose to £41,700 on 22 July 2025

£38,700 4 Apr 2024 £41,700 22 Jul 2025 Today
Show as a table
General salary threshold by date
FromToThreshold
£38,700
In force today£41,700
Source: Statement of Changes HC 997 (gov.uk) and HC 590. Checked .

All changes, from the Statements reviewed so far.

Nationality notes

Glossary