Switching from Student to Skilled Worker — in-country application

Switching from Student to Skilled Worker is one of the most common UK in-country switching routes for Indian graduates. Done correctly, it provides continuous status from study completion to long-term UK employment without leaving the country.

For [CLIENT_NAME] currently on [CURRENT_STATUS] switching to Skilled Worker via [JOB_OFFER]:

§1 — SWITCHING ELIGIBILITY (100-120 words)

Appendix Skilled Worker SW 7.1 permits switching from Student route if:
  ▪ Applicant has completed the course of study, OR
  ▪ Has been studying for at least 12 months under the current Student visa

For [CLIENT_NAME] with [COURSE_COMPLETION]:
  ▪ Completion before Student visa expiry [confirm]
  ▪ At least 12 months on current Student visa [confirm]

Other requirements:
  ▪ Job offer at RQF Level 3+ with A-rated Skilled Worker sponsor
  ▪ Salary at higher of GBP 38,700 OR going rate (discounts apply for new entrants)
  ▪ Apply BEFORE current Student visa expires
  ▪ Pay application fee + IHS

§2 — TIMING — CRITICAL (100-120 words)

Application timing windows:
  ▪ Earliest: 3 months before Skilled Worker job start date AND before Student visa expires
  ▪ Latest: BEFORE Student visa expires

Once submitted in-country:
  ▪ Section 3C leave: applicant retains valid status during processing
  ▪ Can continue working under existing Student permission until visa decided (note: Student visa permits 20 hours/week during term, 40 during holidays)
  ▪ Cannot leave UK without abandoning the application (key constraint)

If application submitted after visa expiry:
  ▪ Application out of time = automatic refusal under SW 1.3
  ▪ Applicant becomes overstayer
  ▪ Re-entry possible only via fresh application from outside UK

§3 — DOCUMENT MAP (150-180 words)

Required documents:
  □ Current visa BRP / eVisa proof
  □ Passport bio page + visa pages
  □ Skilled Worker CoS reference number (assigned by employer)
  □ Employment contract from sponsor
  □ Tuberculosis test certificate (already done for original Student visa)
  □ Degree certificate or transcript (showing course completion)
  □ English language evidence (already on Student visa; may be re-provided)
  □ Maintenance: GBP 1,270 held 28 days OR sponsor-certified on CoS
  □ Police certificates (for healthcare / education / etc. roles requiring DBS)

For Indian graduates:
  ▪ University degree certificate (issued usually 6 months post-completion)
  ▪ Pending degree letter from university acceptable in some cases
  ▪ Transcript showing course completion + grades

§4 — FEES + IHS (60-80 words)

Application fees [VERIFY]:
  ▪ Skilled Worker switch (in-country): GBP 719 for up to 3 years
  ▪ Skilled Worker switch (in-country) > 3 years: GBP 1,500
  ▪ Priority service: +GBP 500 (5 working days)
  ▪ Super Priority: +GBP 1,000 (next working day)
  ▪ IHS: GBP 1,035/year × CoS duration

Total typical (3-year switch with priority): GBP 1,219 + GBP 3,105 IHS = GBP 4,324

§5 — POST-SUBMISSION (80-100 words)

After application submitted:
  ▪ Online confirmation + UKVI account access
  ▪ Section 3C leave applies (status valid)
  ▪ Applicant can:
    - Continue to work under existing Student permission
    - Cannot start the Skilled Worker job until visa is granted
    - Cannot leave UK
  ▪ Decision wait: standard 8 weeks; priority 5 working days; super priority next working day

Once visa granted:
  ▪ BRP / eVisa updated (BRP collection at UK Post Office within 10 days; eVisa via UKVI account if transition complete)
  ▪ Can start Skilled Worker job on CoS start date
  ▪ Time on Skilled Worker counts toward 5-year ILR clock

§6 — STRATEGY: WHEN TO USE GRADUATE ROUTE FIRST (60-80 words)

If [JOB_OFFER] is uncertain or applicant has multiple options:
  ▪ Graduate Route (2 years post-study work; 3 for PhD) — apply BEFORE Student visa expires
  ▪ Find sponsor employer during Graduate Route window
  ▪ Switch to Skilled Worker when ready

Graduate Route time does NOT count toward Skilled Worker 5-year ILR clock — but it gives breathing room.

If [JOB_OFFER] is firm and offers good salary: switch directly to Skilled Worker for fastest ILR path.

§7 — CHECKLIST + TIMELINE (60-80 words)

T-12 weeks before Student visa expires: applicant receives CoS from employer
T-10 weeks: verify CoS validity + sponsor licence status
T-8 weeks: assemble documents; review with OISC/IAA adviser
T-7 weeks: submit application online; pay fee + IHS
T-6 weeks: biometrics enrolment if required (often automatic with prior BRP)
T-2 weeks: decision typically arrives
T+1 week (post-grant): BRP collection at UK Post Office

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. The hard deadline is Student visa expiry. Submit application BEFORE expiry; Section 3C leave then preserves status. Cannot leave UK during pending application. Confirm employer Sponsor Licence A-rating on UKVI register the day of submission."