Switching from Student to Skilled Worker visa after graduation
Path from completing UK degree → CoS-sponsored Skilled Worker visa, avoiding the Graduate Route as an unnecessary intermediate.
UKStudentSkilled WorkerSwitchingCoSGraduate Route
Students completing a UK degree have three post-study paths: (1) Graduate Route — 2 years (3 for PhD); no sponsor required; no path to settlement (2) Skilled Worker — sponsor-led; path to settlement after 5 years (3) Return to home country For most Indian graduates with a strong job offer, switching DIRECTLY from Student to Skilled Worker is faster than going via Graduate Route + then Skilled Worker. For [CLIENT_NAME] completing [CURRENT_COURSE] with offer [JOB_OFFER]: §1 — SWITCHING ELIGIBILITY (100-120 words) A Student visa holder can switch to Skilled Worker visa from within the UK (Appendix Skilled Worker SW 7.1) IF: ▪ Main applicant has completed (or is about to complete) the course of study OR has been studying for at least 12 months ▪ Switching application made BEFORE current Student visa expires ▪ Has a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed Skilled Worker sponsor ▪ Meets the Skilled Worker requirements (SOC code at RQF 3+, salary at the higher of GBP 38,700 or the going rate for the SOC code from April 2024 [VERIFY]; some healthcare/Shortage roles have reduced thresholds) ▪ Meets English (already met via Student visa) ▪ Meets maintenance (if employer has not certified — GBP 1,270 held for 28 days) Cannot switch from: ▪ Visitor visa ▪ Short-term Student ▪ Pre-sessional only (without progressing to main course) §2 — TIMING: BEFORE STUDENT VISA EXPIRES (80-100 words) Student visa typically valid: ▪ Bachelor / Master / PhD: course duration + 4 months wrap-up ▪ Pre-sessional: course duration + 4 months The applicant must submit the Skilled Worker switching application BEFORE the Student visa expires: ▪ Submission can be 3 months before Student visa expiry ▪ Once submitted, applicant has Section 3C leave (continues to hold valid status during processing) ▪ Standard service: 8 weeks decision; priority: 5 working days; super priority: next working day If Student visa expires before switching is granted: applicant cannot start work; cannot leave UK without abandoning the application. §3 — CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP (CoS) (100-120 words) CoS issued by employer with a Worker / Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence: ▪ CoS number (unique to this employer-applicant pair) ▪ SOC code (assigned by employer based on job role) ▪ Salary (must meet the higher of the general threshold OR going rate for SOC code) ▪ Job description (role, duties, location, hours) ▪ Start date (typically 3 months after CoS issue) CoS validity: 3 months from assignment. [EMPLOYER_SPONSOR_STATUS] confirms sponsor is A-rated. Critical to verify on UKVI Register of Sponsors before applying. §4 — SALARY + SOC CODE CHECK (100-120 words) From April 2024, Skilled Worker salary threshold: ▪ General: GBP 38,700/year minimum [VERIFY] ▪ Healthcare / Education: lower (GBP 23,200 [VERIFY]) ▪ Going rate for SOC code: applicable per occupation; employer must confirm For [JOB_OFFER] salary GBP 42,000 at SOC 2136 (Programmer / Software Engineer): ▪ Going rate for SOC 2136 must be checked against Annex E of Appendix Skilled Worker ▪ Applicant must be paid at higher of GBP 38,700 OR SOC 2136 going rate ▪ Pro-rata for part-time roles (not allowed under Skilled Worker) Immigration Salary List (replaced Shortage Occupation List from April 2024): ▪ Roles on Immigration Salary List have 20% salary discount (GBP 30,960 instead of GBP 38,700) ▪ Examples: Care workers, nursing roles, some teaching roles §5 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (120-150 words) Documents required: □ Passport bio page + current Student visa (BRP / eVisa) sticker page □ CoS reference number (provided by employer) □ Employment contract from sponsor □ Tuberculosis test certificate (if relevant — applicant should already have done this for original Student visa) □ English language evidence (already met by being on Student visa) □ Maintenance evidence: GBP 1,270 held for 28 days (or sponsor's "certified maintenance" on CoS — fastest route) □ Police certificates (if working in healthcare / education / etc requiring criminal record check) □ Confirmation of completion of studies (degree certificate or transcript) □ IHS fee paid online (GBP 1,035/year × duration) Application fee: GBP 719 inside UK (in-country switching) IHS: GBP 1,035/year × duration of CoS (typically 3 years) §6 — DECISION TIMELINE + AFTER (80-100 words) ▪ Standard processing: 8 weeks ▪ Priority (paid extra GBP 500): 5 working days ▪ Super priority (paid extra GBP 1,000): next working day After grant: ▪ Skilled Worker BRP collected within 10 days at designated UK Post Office (or eVisa via UKVI account if eVisa transition complete) ▪ Visa duration: typically 3 years initially (renewable; total path to ILR is 5 years on Skilled Worker) ▪ Family dependants (spouse + children) can join under Skilled Worker Dependant route — generous compared to Student Dependant ▪ Spouse can work full-time §7 — WHY SWITCH DIRECTLY VS GRADUATE ROUTE FIRST (80-100 words) Graduate Route advantages: ▪ No sponsor needed ▪ Can work any job, any salary ▪ Can be self-employed ▪ 2-3 years' breathing room Disadvantages of going via Graduate Route first: ▪ Time on Graduate Route does NOT count toward ILR (must restart 5-year clock on Skilled Worker) ▪ Adds 2-3 years to total settlement timeline For Indian applicants with a confirmed graduate-scheme job offer: ▪ Direct Skilled Worker switch is faster to ILR (5 years from switch) ▪ Graduate Route is better for applicants exploring options or waiting for the right offer End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Confirm employer's Sponsor Licence A-rating on UKVI register and CoS validity within 3 months of issue. Salary going rates for SOC codes change in April annually (Statement of Changes); check the current rate before relying on CoS. If switching before course completion, the sponsor may attach an academic-progression condition."
Purchase the vault to unlock