Is the UK Cancelling the 2-Year PSW Visa?

As of February 2025, the United Kingdom has not canceled the two-year Post-Study Work (PSW) visa, officially known as the Graduate Route. This visa allows international graduates to remain in the UK for up to two years (or three years for doctoral graduates) to seek employment without requiring employer sponsorship.

In May 2024, the UK government considered restricting or even ending the Graduate Route as part of efforts to reduce legal migration. However, these proposals faced significant opposition from various sectors, including education and business. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent body advising the government on migration issues, recommended retaining the Graduate Route, stating there was no evidence of its abuse and emphasizing its importance in attracting international students. Consequently, the government decided to keep the Graduate Route in place, while introducing measures to tighten student visas to prevent misuse.

Therefore, international students graduating from UK institutions can still benefit from the PSW visa, allowing them to gain valuable work experience in the country after their studies.