Rules for Chinese nationals who studied in the UK

Sources

1. Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.

   2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026

   18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027

   If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.

   You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.

2. Statement of Changes HC 1333 (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   2 years if the applicant has successfully completed a course at UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level, or another relevant qualification that meets the requirement of ST8.1/2/3 of the Rules, and the application is made before 1 January 2027.

3. Statement of Changes HC 1333: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   5.26 The change to 18 months will apply to applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027, with PhD graduates continuing to receive three years of leave.

4. High Potential Individual visa: Eligibility (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   UK universities are not eligible. If you’re already in the UK on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa.

   You must have been awarded your qualification in the last 5 years.

   You do not need to have a job offer to apply.

   You can only apply for an HPI visa once.

5. Immigration Rules: Appendix High Potential Individual (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   HPI 1.6. The applicant must not have been previously granted permission under the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme, as a Graduate or as a High Potential Individual.

6. High Potential Individual visa: Switch to this visa (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   You cannot switch to this visa if you’re on a Graduate visa.

7. Skilled Worker visa: When you can be paid less (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   you’re currently in the UK on a Graduate visa (or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Graduate or visit visa was your most recent visa)

   You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if your salary will be at least £33,400 per year and one of the following applies:

8. Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   If you’re applying to switch from a different visa, you need level B2.

9. Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
   The passage relied on

   (f) the applicant’s most recent permission (disregarding any permission as a visitor) was as a Graduate, and if that permission has expired, it must have expired less than 2 years before the date of application.

10. Statement of Changes HC 997 (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
    The passage relied on

    APP SW4. In rows C, D and E of the table following SW 4.4, for each instance of “£30,960”, substitute “£33,400”.

How each figure is checked: Sources and method.