UK links two-year graduate work visas to university performance rules

Graduates from the UAE studying in the United Kingdom may retain the right to work for two years after completing their degrees, according to the UK’s October 28 Budget. The Treasury announced that it will maintain a two-year Graduate visa for eligible students, reversing a planned reduction to 18 months, provided they attend specific qualifying institutions. University eligibility criteria pending The longer stay is not universal. The Treasury stated that eligibility will be restricted to graduates from universities that demonstrate high compliance with immigration rules and show strong graduate employment outcomes. However, the Budget document does not name the qualifying universities, nor does it specify the metrics for assessment or the exact implementation date. For UAE families currently selecting British institutions, this creates uncertainty regarding which universities will secure the extended visa status. Shara Pledger, an immigration law expert at Pinsent Masons, noted that while the two-year period is a welcome retention for certain institutions, the announcement does not guarantee employment or approval for subsequent long-term work visas. The policy aims to provide an additional six months for job seeking compared to the previously proposed 18-month limit. Visa salary rules to shift in 2027 Substantial changes to employer-sponsored work visas are scheduled to take effect in spring 2027. The UK government plans to update salary thresholds using 2026 wage data…