UK Overhauls Student Visa Rules 2026: Funds Period Cut to 14 Days, Graduate Route Slashed to 18 Months

LONDON, August 12, 2026 — The United Kingdom has implemented a sweeping set of student visa policy changes, shortening the financial proof deposit period from 28 days to 14 days, reducing the Post-Study Work (Graduate Route) visa from two years to 18 months, and fully transitioning to an electronic visa system, according to updated guidance from the Home Office.

The reforms, which take effect in phases, represent one of the most significant overhauls of the UK's student immigration framework in recent years.

Published: August 12, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team

UK student visa rules overhauled in 2026: funds period cut to 14 days, Graduate Route reduced to 18 months

Key Policy Changes at a Glance

Policy Area	Previous Rule	New Rule
Funds Deposit Period	28 consecutive days	14 days (effective August 2026)
Graduate Route (PSW) Duration	2 years (24 months)	18 months (from January 1, 2027)
Visa Document Format	Physical BRP cards & vignette stickers	Fully digital eVisa (from June 1, 2026)
Living Costs (London)	£1,265/month	£1,529/month
Living Costs (Outside London)	£1,015/month	£1,171/month

Funds Deposit Period: 28 Days Reduced to 14 Days

The Home Office has shortened the financial evidence requirement, allowing students to demonstrate sufficient funds with just 14 days of continuous account balance, down from the previous 28-day requirement.

What This Means for Applicants

Aspect	Details
New Deposit Period	14 consecutive days
Previous Period	28 consecutive days
Application Window	Funds must be held within 31 days of application submission
Funds Required	Tuition fees for first year + 9 months of living costs

Updated Living Cost Requirements

Location	Monthly Amount	9-Month Total
London	£1,529	£13,761
Outside London	£1,171	£10,539

The increase from £1,265 per month in London reflects updated cost-of-living assessments.

Important Note: Despite the official reduction to 14 days, some sources advise applicants to still prepare documentation based on the 28-day standard, as UKVI caseworker guidance and institutional advice remain inconsistent. The safest approach is to consult the latest Home Office guidance.

Graduate Route (PSW) Visa: Reduced to 18 Months

The most significant change for international students is the reduction of the Graduate Route (formerly known as the Post-Study Work visa) from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and taught master's graduates.

Key Dates and Transition

Application Date	Graduate Route Duration
On or before December 31, 2026	2 years (24 months)
On or after January 1, 2027	18 months

Critical Deadline: Students who apply for the Graduate Route on or before December 31, 2026 will continue to receive the full two-year visa. All applications submitted from January 1, 2027 onward will be subject to the reduced 18-month period.

Who Is Affected

Category	New Duration
Bachelor's Graduates	18 months
Taught Master's Graduates	18 months
PhD/Doctoral Graduates	3 years (unchanged)

The change does not affect applicants holding a PhD or other doctoral qualifications — they will continue to receive a three-year Graduate visa.

Impact on 2026/2027 Cohorts

For students starting a one-year master's program in September 2026, graduation typically occurs in late 2027. Their Graduate Route applications would be submitted after January 1, 2027, meaning they will be subject to the 18-month limit — six months shorter than previous cohorts.

Electronic Visa System: BRPs and Vignettes Replaced

From June 1, 2026, the UK has fully transitioned to a digital immigration system, replacing physical documents with eVisas.

Key Changes

Document Type	Status
BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)	Discontinued
Passport Vignette Stickers	Discontinued
eVisa (Digital Status)	New Standard

What Students Must Do

1. Create a UKVI Account: All new and existing students must create a digital UKVI account to access their eVisa

2. Download eVisa PDF: Approved applicants receive a digital eVisa file via their UKVI account

3. Use Share Codes: For enrollment, accommodation, and other verification purposes, students generate a share code through the "View and Prove" service

4. Transition for Existing BRP Holders: Students who already hold BRP cards must complete the migration to eVisa, as physical BRPs will expire by the end of 2026

Note: The eVisa system applies to all new visa applications made on or after July 15, 2025. Since June 1, 2026, the transition has been fully implemented.

Other Important Changes

Change	Details
Student Visa Fee	Increased to £558 (from £524)
Skilled Worker English Requirement	Raised to B2 level (from B1)
CAS Allocation System	"Green" institutions have full CAS allocations; "Yellow" institutions face CAS freezes
Random Document Checks	Financial and academic documents subject to spot checks (10–15%抽查率)

Action Points for International Students

Action	Timeline
Create UKVI Account	Immediately if studying in or planning to study in the UK
Check Financial Documentation	Ensure funds held for at least 14 days (or 28 days to be safe)
Apply for Graduate Route Early	If eligible, apply before December 31, 2026 to secure 2-year visa
Stay Informed	Monitor the official UKVI website and university communications

Official Resources

Resource	Link
UKVI eVisa Guidance	gov.uk/evisa
Student Route Caseworker Guidance	gov.uk/government/publications/student-route-caseworker-guidance
Graduate Route Guidance	gov.uk/graduate-visa
Updates on the Move to eVisas	gov.uk/government/publications/updates-on-the-move-to-evisas
UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)	ukcisa.org.uk

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