Switching From a Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK

Many international students never use the Graduate visa at all — they go straight from studying to a job offer and switch directly from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa, in-country, without needing to leave the UK. It is a faster route into long-term settlement if you find the right employer early.

Can you switch before finishing your course?

Generally, no — you must have completed your course, or be within the final months of it and have your results confirmed, before switching. There is a narrow exception: if you are on a PhD, you can switch after completing 24 months of study, even if the doctorate is not finished. For everyone else, wait until your university has formally confirmed your award or final results.

What you need before you apply

1. A job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor. Not every employer can sponsor — check the register of licensed sponsors before accepting an offer.
2. A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by that employer, listing your job title, salary and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code.
3. A salary that meets the threshold — generally the higher of £38,700 a year or the specific "going rate" for your occupation code, though new entrants and some health, education and shortage roles have reduced thresholds.
4. Proof of your qualification, if your CoS states it is required for the role.

The switching process, step by step

1. Secure the job and CoS — your employer applies for this on their sponsor management system once they have decided to hire you.
2. Apply online from inside the UK using the Skilled Worker visa application, selecting "switching from another visa category."
3. Provide biometrics — usually a quick appointment or an app-based scan if you already hold a UK eVisa.
4. Show maintenance funds unless your sponsor has confirmed on the CoS that they will cover this — many employers do, which removes the need to show separate savings.
5. Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, which for a multi-year Skilled Worker visa is a significant upfront cost — budget carefully.
6. Continue working under your Student visa conditions (including the 20-hour term-time cap) until your new visa is granted; do not start full-time work early.

Skilled Worker vs Graduate visa: which first?

Many students take the Graduate visa first (two years, unsponsored, no job needed) and switch to Skilled Worker later once they have found the right employer, since it removes the pressure to secure sponsorship before finishing exams. Others switch directly if a strong offer arrives before graduation. Either path can lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after five years in most cases.

Practical tips

• Start job hunting at least two terms before you finish — sponsorship applications take employers time to process.
• Ask prospective employers directly whether they hold a sponsor licence rather than assuming a large company automatically does.
• Keep your CAS, degree transcripts and passport organised together; sponsors often need copies quickly once they decide to hire you.

For the full detail on your current Student visa conditions and work limits, see our work rules guide and the Graduate visa route explained. If you are approaching this transition and want your documents checked before switching, our Career Hub supports students with sponsor-readiness and CV preparation alongside your visa timeline.