Introduction
For thousands of international students graduating from UK universities each year, the Skilled Worker Visa represents the most reliable route to long-term employment and settlement.
Switching from a UK Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa in 2025 remains one of the most straightforward and secure paths to long-term employment—and ultimately settlement—in the UK. But rules are stricter than ever, especially around salary thresholds, occupation code matching, and employer compliance.
By understanding the requirements in detail, preparing your documents correctly, and ensuring your employer assigns the correct SOC code and salary, you can dramatically increase your chances of approval.
This expert guide breaks down every requirement, every rule, and every common misunderstanding—so you can make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
By the end, you’ll understand exactly what switching involves, how you and your job role qualify, and what to watch out for during your application.
Overview - How Switching from a Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa Works
Switching means applying for a new immigration category from inside the UK, rather than leaving the country and applying from abroad.
You will be able to switch from a StudentVisa to a Skilled Worker Visa if you receive a qualifying job offer before you finish your course in the UK.
Good news: Most Student Visa holders are allowed to switch to Skilled Worker from inside the UK when they submit a valid application.
Step by Step Guide
#1 Timing of your application
- You must apply before your Student Visa expires.
- Your job offer must be within 3 months of your application.
- You must have completed your course by the time your job offer starts.
(The only exception to this is for PhD students who can switch to a Skilled Worker visa after 24 months of their PhD start date.)
UKVisaTeam Insight: "Keep a note of the expiry date on your Student Visa – you MUST submit your Skilled Worker visa application before this date. If you miss this date then you will be unable to make an in-country application and will have to leave the UK to make an application from abroad. Carefully check the start date on theCertificate of Sponsorship."
#2 You and your job offer must meet all the Skilled Worker requirements:
- The job role must be for a listed eligible occupation:
A job will only be eligible for a skilled worker licence if the occupation code is specifically listed in the current list of eligible occupations.
UKVisaTeam Insight: "Lookup the code for your job CascotWeb and then check it against the UKVI list of eligible occupations Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK"
- The job description must meet the occupation code being used:
The Home Office will carefully check that the job description matches what would be expected from a role in the specified occupation code. Employers cannot use acode that does not properly match the role just to make the job eligible for the Skilled Worker visa.
- The job must be genuine:
The Home Office will check that the employer has a real operational business which employs roles of this type. Fake job offers—or offers from companies not actively trading—lead to refusals.
In addition, the Home Office must be satisfied that you are actually going to work in this job and not a different one.
- You must meet the occupation requirements:
The home office will check that you have all the qualifications, skills and experience required for the job description and occupation code.
- The salary for the role must fulfil the minimum salary requirements:
The salary must be at least whichever is the highest of the appropriate Skilled Worker minimum salary, or the listed going rate for the occupation code.
The Skilled Worker rules (SW4.4) provide for a base minimum salary requirement (which is £41,700 at the time of writing for most roles); but most students will qualify as a ‘New Entrant’ which allows for a reduced minimum salary of £33,400 and/or 70% of the going rate (whichever is higher). There are also lower minimum salary requirements for Health and Social Care roles and some other occupations which are listed on the Immigration Salary List.
Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker - Guidance - GOV.UK
Note that only basic gross salary will be considered – any overtime, shift allowances, bonuses or any additional benefits will not be included in the eligible salary.
In addition, the Home Office will only count salary paid for a maximum of 48 hours per week – any hours you work over that would not qualify as salary for the purposes of meeting theSkilled Worker salary requirement.
UKVisaTeam Insight: "Check carefully for the correct up to date salary criteria for your job. You will also need to check what the going rate is for your role in case that sets a higher requirement than the general Skilled Worker minimum salary."
#3 Your employer must be a Home Office approved sponsor and must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) specifically for an in-UK switch.
It is your employer's responsibility to register as an official sponsor and to apply for a sponsor licence. They must also pay the sponsor fee and should not pass this cost on to you.
#4 English requirement
Skilled Workers require B1 (B2 from January 26) level of English. If you are switching from a student visa you will already have provided this level for your student visa application and if your course was degree level or higher, you will meet the requirement in any case.
#5 Maintenance funds
SkilledWorker Visa applicants must be able to show they have £1270 for 28 days prior to application; however, most applicants switching from a Student Visa will be exempt from this requirement because either:
They have lived in the UK for 12 months prior to the application, or
Their sponsor certifies they will provide this maintenance on the CoS.
*Visa fee £885-£1751, Immigration Health Surcharge £1035 per year)
#6 If your job offer is for a relevant occupation there will be a Criminal Record Certificate Requirement
If your role is in an occupation listed in SW16.1 (eg health, social care and education roles), you will need a criminal record certificate for any country you have resided in for 12 months or more in the 10 years prior to application date (from the age of18). Unless you can show not reasonably practicable to provide the certificates.
Situations When You Cannot Switch
- You study at an institution that lost its sponsor licence
- You have not completed your course or you will not have completed it before your job offer starts
- If you are a PhD student you will be less than 24 months into your PhD before your job offer start
- You overstayed your Student Visa.
- You breached work conditions (e.g., worked more hours than allowed) or any other conditions of your student visa.
Main Reasons for Rejection
One of the biggest pitfalls is choosing the wrong occupation code.
Your employer must select:
- The correct four-digit SOC code
- Whose job description matches your actual duties
- With a salary that meets either the general threshold or the occupation-specific going rate
Double-check the code chosen by your employer and make sure it is the most appropriate code from the list of eligible codes.
Mis-match between role description and applicant
Applicants must show how their qualifications, skills and experience match the job description – carefully check that your CV includes everything to show you are a genuine match for this job offer.
Salary not matching the required minimum salary
Check your salary is enough for the most UP TO DATE salary rules and remember to check the going rate for your occupation in case that is higher. The tables are complicated and many employers don’t understand the going-rate tables.
Most students will qualify as a NewEntrant which allows for a reduced minimum salary and a salaryof only 70% of the required going rate. However, note that if you have previously held a Skilled Worker visa, thecurrent application can only be approved if it will not lead to your holding aSkilled Worker Visa for more than 4 years on the reduced rate.
Remember that only your basic gross salary can be considered and only up to 48 hours per week.
Questionable or non-genuine job
Red flags include:
- No website
- Tiny companies without proper financials
- Jobs created “just for sponsorship"
Working too many hours on a Student Visa
If the Home Office finds evidence of illegal work, they can refuse the Skilled Worker application and cancel your existing visa.
Missing documents or errors on the CoS
Examples:
- Wrong start date
- Incorrect job description
- Missing working hours
- Gaps in employment history
When Switching Is Not Recommended
There are situations where applying to switch to a Skilled Worker visa is likely to fail.
If your employer cannot pay the required salary
You risk refusal and lost fees.
If your employer is newly licensed or high-risk
The Home Office audits new sponsors more aggressively.
If your Student Visa expires in days and the CoS isn’t ready
You should never apply with a rushed or incomplete CoS.
If you're relying on the New Entrant discount but will exceed the 4-year cap
You may get stuck later when renewing at the higher salary threshold.
You foresee you will want to change your employer
The SkilledWorker visa requires to you stay working in your sponsored role for the same sponsor.
When a Graduate Visa will be more appropriate
Sometimes it’s more strategic to work on a Graduate Visa for 1–2 years and switch later at a higher salary.
Graduate Visa advantages:
- No minimum salary
- No sponsor needed
- Freedom to change employers
- No occupation code restrictions
Case Studies & Examples
Case Study 1: Maria – Has a job offer for Leisure Centre Manager
- Currently holds a student visa and is completing a degree in sports science
- Role: Leisure Centre Manager - SW job code 1224 Leisure and sports managers and proprietors
- Salary: £24,500
- Qualification for discount: New Entrant
- Result: Rejected
Her employer matched the SOC code duties exactly and her salary meets the New Entrant rate for the occupation code, but it does not meet the general minimum level for new entrants which is currently £33,400.
UKVisaTeam Insight: "Maria should apply for a Graduate Visa instead."
Case Study 2: Lina – Refused due to wrong occupation code
- Job title: Project Coordinator
- CoS code assigned: 2425 (Management consultant)
- Salary: £34,000
- Home Office conclusion: Duties did not match
- Result: Rejected
The employer chose a code requiring a higher salary and with mismatched duties.
UKVisaTeam Insight: "If your Student Visa has not yet expired, ask your employer to obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship using the correct code (3543 Project Support Offices). If you are eligible for the New Entrant salary rate then the salary will be sufficient to qualify and you can submit a new application."
FAQS
Q. What happens if my Student Visa runs out before the Home Office have decided my Skilled Worker application?
If you apply for your Skilled Worker Visa before your student visa expires, you will remain legally in the UK throughout the process under Section 3C protection - even if your student visa expiry date passes while you are waiting for the decision.
Q. Can I start work before my visa is approved?
If your Student Visa gives permission to work, then that permission will remain valid until your Skilled Worker visa is decided. Otherwise, you must wait for the Skilled Worker decision.
Q. How long is the visa application likely to take?
Average timeline: 3–8 weeks
Q. How likely is it that my application will be successful?
If your application fulfils all the requirements as described above, and there are no other factors which could affect your application, then approval rates are very high.
Q. If I am successful with my Skilled Worker application, when can I apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK?
In general, to qualify for ILR under the Skilled Worker route you must show that you have:
- Completed 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK under the Skilled Worker route,
- Maintained valid employment with a licensed sponsor,
- Met salary requirements,
- Passed the Life in the UK Test,
- And complied with all visa conditions during your time in the UK. GOV.UK
For full official guidance, check the UK government page:
Check if you can get indefinite leave to remain: https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain
Proposed changes from 2026 may affect ILR rules, but Skilled Worker applicants currently qualify after 5 years.
Q. When should I apply for a Graduate Visa instead of a Skilled Worker visa?
If you think you may want to change your employer, it will be more flexible to have a Graduate Visa, otherwise you will need to apply for a new Skilled Worker Visa when you change jobs.
If you are finding it hard to get job offers in occupations listed in the Skilled Worker Occupation Lists, or the starting salaries are not high enough to comply with the minimum requirement (check whether the New Entrant discounted salary will apply to you in case that helps), then a Graduate Visa is a great idea while you wait for the right role to come along.
Q. Can I bring dependants on a Skilled Worker Visa?
Yes, if your job occupation is a skill level 6 or above. You must show additional funds of £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for a first dependent child and £200 for subsequent dependent children.
