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

Created by Tahirah Nazim
Closes on

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.

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  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 13 February 2027.