Switching from Student to Skilled Worker visa after graduation

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."