The UK immigration landscape has gone through some changes in 2025 as the labour government proposes updates to visa schemes that may impact international students seeking to stay in the country after graduation.
Proposed changes to the graduate visa
The graduate visa is the most common visa students obtain after they graduate as it is an unsponsored route meaning you do not need a company to sponsor you to start working. You can undertake full time work, freelance work, and volunteer roles (the only restriction is for professional athletes and coaches). It is recommended you apply 6-8 weeks prior to the expiry of your student visa.
To reduce immigration, the graduate visa originally launched in 2021 will now only allow a student to stay for 18 months rather than 2 years. The government is also introducing a levy on universities so they cannot receive as much income from international student’s tuition fees.
Changes to the skilled worker visa
The recent white paper proposed this past May also has shortened the list of jobs that are eligible for sponsorship, focusing on more managerial/director level jobs rather than entry-level. They are also proposing that the settlement scheme be increased from 5 years to 10 years, meaning you must be on this scheme for at least 10 years in order to receive settlement status.
The list of positions eligible for sponsorship by employers can be found here.
The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa remains unchanged
There have been no alterations made to this visa scheme and is available to any students who have graduated from an institution that appears on the Global Universities list, and competent English language qualifications. You have permission to stay in the UK up to 2 years, and it cannot be extended.
To check your eligibility, please follow the link here.
The Global Talent Visa remains unchanged
The Global Talent Visa is great for those who are planning to go into fields in arts and culture, academia and research, and digital technology. If you have received an endorsement or a prestigious prize (only those listed are eligible), you may be able to apply for this visa scheme.
It has remained unaltered, and you can stay on this visa for up to 5 years.
For eligibility, please check the link here.
Innovative founder visa remains unchanged
The Innovator Founder Visa is for start-up entrepreneurs and those experience in business management seeking to establish a business in the UK. Applicants do not need to have any specific level of funds to invest in their proposed business, but must have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea, supported by a business plan, which has been approved by an endorsing body.
Information on the eligibility for an innovative founder visa can be found here.
The youth mobility visa scheme remains unchanged
This visa is available to anyone from countries listed here:
- Aged 18-35 if you are a national from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Korea; or
- You must be aged 18-30 if you are a national in Andorra, Iceland, Hong Kong*, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, Taiwan*, or Uruguay. British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) can also apply.
You do not need any specific requirements other than demonstrating you can financially support yourself. You can only apply from outside the UK.
UAL is here to help support you with your immigration journey. You can find support from the student advice service or from this webpage.
If you are looking for opportunities to gain experience to start your career, why not check out UAL’s jobs board, Creative Opportunities? Run by Careers and Employability, it is the go-to hub for creative students and graduates. You can find jobs, paid internships, competitions, and volunteering roles. If you are studying an art, design, communications, or a performance course or have recently graduated, then this is the place for you! Our goal is to help you achieve your ambitions and make a living doing what you love.