Graduate Route Overhaul: Effect of Post-Study Work Visa Adjustments on Pakistani & Filipino Students

 

In 2025, the UK’s formerly popular Graduate Route visa—a vital post-study work option—has faced significant changes. Beginning mid-year, the two-year post-study allowance for international students has been cut down to 18 months. Although this policy seeks to limit net migration, it significantly affects many Pakistani and Filipino students who depend on this route to gain work experience in the UK, recover their tuition expenses, and establish paths towards permanent residency.  

Previously, under the Graduate Route, qualifying students who completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in the UK could remain for up to two years (or three for PhDs) to work or search for job opportunities. The visa did not require employer sponsorship, making it an appealing option for recent graduates. With the new limitation of 18 months, students now have less time to accumulate UK experience, obtain a Skilled Worker visa, or fulfill sponsorship prerequisites—all crucial for those seeking to transition to permanent residency.  

This decrease in time adds additional stress for Filipino and Pakistani students, many of whom finance their studies in the UK through loans or familial support. With only 18 months to find appropriate employment—often in highly competitive fields such as healthcare, IT, or finance—students may feel compelled to leave the UK prematurely or accept low-paying jobs that do not qualify for Skilled Worker sponsorship. The revised timeframe also narrows the opportunity to shift to more stable visa options, particularly for those facing job market challenges like employer bias or geographic restrictions.  

Universities and student advocates are already indicating that the alteration may diminish the UK's attractiveness compared to places like Canada or Australia, where post-study work entitlements remain more favorable. For Pakistani and Filipino families contemplating UK education as a long-term migration strategy, this change requires a new perspective: the UK is no longer providing an “automatic pathway” from study to employment. Thoughtful course selection, proactive job searching, and strong employability will now play a critical role in determining who can stay and who must depart.  

In conclusion, the UK's Graduate Route has become far less of a straightforward post-study solution than it once was. Filipino and Pakistani students must now adapt more swiftly, plan ahead, and aim higher if they wish to turn their UK degree into something beyond a mere short-term experience.