The Home Office Warning Explained
The UK Home Office has recently issued a strong warning to international students and their families: do not overstay your visa. The government is now monitoring compliance more closely and has already contacted around 130,000 students and dependents by text and email.
The warning is clear: if your visa has expired and you remain in the UK without valid permission, you risk refusal of future applications, removal from the UK, and long-term re-entry bans.
At the same time, the rules for the Post-Study Work (PSW) visa (Graduate Route) have become stricter in 2025, making it more important than ever for students to understand their rights and obligations.
New Rules for PSW (Graduate Route) Visa 2025
The Post-Study Work (PSW) visa allows graduates to stay in the UK after completing a degree. However, the rules have been tightened in 2025:
- Duration reduced from 2 years to 18 months.
- Stricter financial requirements (proof of funds & maintenance).
- Tighter compliance checks on universities.
- Students must apply before their current visa expires—late applications are refused automatically.
Official guidance: UK Government – Graduate Visa
Why This Matters
Many students plan to use the PSW visa to gain work experience and settle into the UK job market. Missing deadlines, overstaying, or not meeting new requirements could destroy that opportunity.
What Happens If You Overstay Your Visa
Overstaying is not a small mistake—it is a serious immigration violation.
Consequences Include:
- Immediate loss of legal status in the UK.
- Risk of deportation by the Home Office.
- 12-month re-entry ban (if overstayed for more than 30 days).
- Difficulty securing future UK visas (work, study, or settlement).
Negative mark on your global immigration record, affecting visa applications in other countries like the US, Canada, and Australia.
How This Affects PSW Visa Applicants
The Graduate Route (PSW visa) allows eligible graduates to remain in the UK after finishing their studies to work or look for work. Under the new reforms, it now lasts 18 months instead of 2 years.
But overstaying your visa has direct consequences for PSW applicants:
- If you overstay before applying, your PSW visa will be refused automatically.
- You must apply while your Student Visa is still valid.
- Universities must confirm that you’ve successfully completed your course before your application can be processed.
- Financial and compliance checks have become stricter.
In short: if your visa lapses—even by mistake—you could lose your chance to apply for the PSW visa.
Summary & Action Steps
The government’s warning is clear: do not overstay your visa. With the 2025 reforms to the Graduate Route, international students need to be extra careful about meeting deadlines and following the rules.
Key Takeaways:
- Apply for the PSW visa before your student visa expires.
- Do not rely on overstaying or asylum claims unless you genuinely qualify.
- Be aware of the new 18-month limit and financial requirements.
- Get professional guidance to avoid mistakes and rejections.
Conclusion
If you’re an international student in the UK and feeling confused about the new PSW visa rules or worried about overstaying, you don’t have to face it alone.
Adam Bernard, solicitor from We Can, is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether it’s understanding your visa expiry, applying for PSW, or avoiding overstaying consequences, we can advise and support you to stay compliant and secure your future in the UK.
If you’re facing problems with your student visa, contact us today—we can guide you through every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overstaying—even by a single day—makes you an illegal migrant. It can impact future visa applications and may result in a ban.
No. You must apply while your Student Visa is valid. Overstayers are automatically refused.
No. You only need to prove successful completion of your degree.
No. From 2025, it has been reduced to 18 months.
You must leave or apply for a visa extension. Attendance at graduation is not a legal reason to overstay.
Overstaying is illegal immediately. In exceptional cases (illness, system errors), you may be given up to 14 days’ leniency.
Yes. Even a short overstay can damage your UK and global immigration history.
Yes, if you meet job and sponsorship requirements, but you must apply before your student visa expires.
No new dependents are allowed. Only those already in the UK as your dependents can remain.
Possibly. Universities must report visa breaches. Your enrollment could be suspended.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide proof of funds.
Speak to your university. They may issue a completion letter to support your Graduate Route application.
No. You must apply from within the UK.
Yes, but this can be costly and time-consuming. Legal preparation before applying is best.
