UK Visa: How to Change from Student Visa to Graduate Visa?

At the appeal stage, the bank statement still only proved that the full amount of funds was held for 27 days. The UK Upper Tribunal's public decision IA/01615/2014 recorded that a student applied for a visa extension, but the documents were one day short of the required 28 days. This was one of the reasons the application did not meet the requirements, and the case also involved issues regarding English language proof. This old case reminds us that the amount of money in the account and how long it was maintained need to be verified separately.

As of October 14, 2026, there is one published change point for student funding requirements and one for the duration of graduate licenses.

When will the student visa funds be increased?

Starting from November 30, 2026. The revised HC 584 document published by Home Office clearly states the APP ST8 to ST10 and implementation arrangements: applications submitted previously will continue to be processed under the old rules. For general student applicants requiring proof of living expenses, the amounts are as follows.

According to the current Appendix Student ST 12.3 of the Immigration Rules, the living expenses can be calculated for a maximum of 9 months. According to the new standards, it is £14,130 in London and £10,827 outside London, an increase of £369 and £288 respectively compared to the old standards. The above is only for living expenses; the total funds should also include the unpaid tuition fees listed in CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies); the already paid tuition fees should be confirmed by CAS or the school receipt.

Whether to use which amount depends on the application date; CAS issued earlier does not fixed the old standard.

Has the money arrived? Can I submit it now?

When using a regular bank deposit certificate to prove funds, the requirement of 28 consecutive days must also be met. The UKVI "Guidance on Student Funds Proof" states that the calculation should be made from the end date of the latest proof submitted backwards, and the proof date must not be more than 31 days before the application date. If the previous balance only reached the old threshold, and the difference was added on the day of submission, it would not be possible to prove that the new amount has been held for 28 days. When verifying, the minimum balance during the entire period needs to be checked, not just the number on the day the bank certificate was issued. Student loans or official funding that meet the requirements have other methods of proof and do not need to mechanically apply the deposit holding period.

My judgment is: those whose submission time may cross November 30, 2026, should ensure sufficient funds are set aside from the beginning according to the new amount.

Another deduction that is easy to miss: ST 12.4 allows deduction of the deposit paid to the guarantee school, used for the school's accommodation arrangement. HC 584 has同步 increased the deduction limit from £1,529 to £1,570. The deposit paid directly to a private landlord does not apply to this provision, and the school accommodation fee cannot be deducted without limit. Separating the payment records of tuition and accommodation fees will make the calculation much clearer.

Can I stay for two more years after graduation?

Sure, but there is an application deadline. The current Appendix Graduate GR 8.1 of the Immigration Rules has specified:

Applications for non-PhD candidates who submit before December 31, 2026, will be granted for two years; applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027, will be changed to 18 months. PhD or other doctoral-level qualifications remain three years. The tier is determined by the Graduate application date. Obtaining a Student permit earlier or enrolling earlier will not automatically retain the two-year tier. Approved two-year permits will not be automatically shortened solely due to this change.

Do I also need to save for another 28 days for the graduate visa?

No need to copy the student deposit requirements. Home Office "Graduate Case Guidance" clearly states that this route does not have this financial threshold.

Graduates applying should verify the eligible program, the requirement of study in the UK, and whether the institution has already reported to Home Office that the course was successfully completed; applicants must be in the UK and submit the application before the student visa expires. After the institution completes the reporting, there is no need to wait for the graduation ceremony or to obtain a physical degree certificate before applying. In the preparation stage, it is recommended to request confirmation from the institution, which is more relevant than using the previous student visa deposit list. Application fees and the immigration health surcharge still need to be prepared separately; exemption from proof of living costs does not mean the application is free.

This article is for reference only. For specific issues, please consult a licensed attorney.

[Data source] Home Office HC 584; current "Immigration Rules" Appendix for Student and Graduate; UKVI Student Financial Evidence and Graduate Case Handling Guidance. Case reference is listed at the beginning of the text.

1. Mark the expected application date, corresponding to the changes on November 30, 2026 and January 1, 2027.
2. When applying for a Student visa, calculate the unpaid tuition fees, applicable living expenses and accommodation deductions, then check the funds proof coverage period.
3. When preparing for graduation, confirm with the school the status of course completion and verify the student visa expiration date.

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