Petition · Home Office

Create route for student visa holding spouses of Graduate visas to switch visa

Open for signatures 7 signatures

What the petition asks

We call on the Government to create a route for student visa holding spouses of Graduate visas to switch visa to Graduate Dependent Visas. Spouses who are both legally in the UK on separate Student Visas can face disruption as they switch onto the primary applicant's Graduate Visa.
In our experience current rules can force international student couples to separate upon graduation if they held separate Student Visas, even if they have children born in the UK. We believe this loophole breaks families apart by forcing one parent to leave or apply for a completely different visa route. This can cause massive emotional and financial distress for families who already legally reside here. We urge the government to fix this loophole and allow existing student families to remain united on the Graduate Route.

Timeline

13 Aug 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 7
Status Open for signatures
Department Home Office
Opened 13 Aug 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 14 Aug 2026.