How do I switch from a UK student visa to a Skilled Worker visa without leaving?
If staying in the UK long-term is your goal, this switch is the path that gets you there.
A question I hear a lot from international students is: “Can I switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa without leaving the UK?” And honestly, it makes sense why this is such a hot topic. Plenty of students come to the UK hoping to study and eventually build a career here. The challenge shows up after graduation when the student visa runs out, and the question becomes, “How do I stay and work legally?”
Visa rules don’t exactly make things easy. For instance, they’re packed with fine technical words and print, which is why so many people either misunderstand the process or give up halfway. The encouraging part is that you can move from a student visa to a Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 (General) work visa) without leaving the country. But this is where it gets tricky—it isn’t open to everyone, and the UK immigration authorities have some strict boxes you’ll need to tick before it works out.
Let’s break it down.
Louis Eriakha
What is the difference between the UK student visa and the UK Skilled Worker visa?
A student visa is what most international students arrive with. It covers your studies, allows limited part-time work, and lets you stay in the UK for the length of your course. What it doesn’t give is full-time work rights once you finish.
Meanwhile, the Skilled Worker route is the UK’s main work visa. It lets you take a full-time job with a licensed employer and, importantly, gives you a pathway to long-term residence.
Who Can’t Make the Switch to a UK Skilled Worker visa?
A few visa categories are blocked from switching, and it’s worth knowing them early so you don’t waste time planning around an option that isn’t even available.
- Short-term student visa – if you came for a one-year diploma or even a short master’s, that visa doesn’t give you the same rights as the standard student visa. So you can’t use it to switch over.
- Parent of a child student visa – this visa is strictly tied to caring for a child who’s studying in the UK, so it doesn’t open doors to work routes.
Put simply, if your visa was only meant for short visits or temporary stays, you won’t be able to move into the Skilled Worker route.
Who Can Apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
If you’re on a standard UK student visa, you’re in a good position to switch—provided you meet certain conditions. At a minimum, you need to fall into one of these categories:
- You’ve already completed the course you were sponsored to study.
- Your job’s start date comes after your course has officially ended.
- You’re a full-time PhD student and have been studying for at least 24 months.
But meeting those conditions isn’t enough on its own. To actually qualify for the Skilled Worker route, you’ll also need to satisfy a few hard requirements:
- A valid job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by that employer.
- An eligible occupation, since not every role is on the approved list. Here is a list of approved job roles.
- A qualifying salary—usually £41,700 a year, the going rate for your role, or £10/hour. (Some shortage jobs have exceptions, but the baseline still applies.)
- Timely application – You can switch from a student visa directly to a skilled worker visa, as long as you apply before your current visa expires. Some people choose to apply for a post-study (Graduate) visa first if they need extra time to find a job, but it’s not required.
- No travel during processing: leaving the UK while your application is being considered cancels it automatically.
How to Switch from the UK Student Visa to the UK Skilled Worker visa?
1) Map your deadlines
Start with dates. It is always important to note your course end date, expected results/award date, and your current visa expiry. Once you note them, give yourself a few months of breathing room for job hunting, sponsorship paperwork, and the application itself. At least start job hunting 4 months before your visa expiry.
2) Target employers who sponsor
Not every company can or will sponsor you. So, what you want to do is check the official list of licensed sponsors and scan job ads for “Skilled Worker sponsorship” or a specific occupation code. After that, build a small shortlist in your field and focus your energy there instead of applying to everything you see everywhere.
3) Apply with the switch in mind
When you’re applying, keep the switch in mind. Shape your CV around roles that are actually on the eligible list. And don’t skip the sponsorship question; let employers know upfront that you’ll need it and that you can only start after your course ends. It’s better to be clear early than to waste time later.
4) Check the offer qualifies before you say yes
You want to confirm these four things with HR or the recruiter during your application process:
- If the employer is a licensed sponsor
- Does the role match the eligible occupation code
- Does the salary meet the required level for that code
- If the start date is after your course end date
If any of these are off, ask if they can adjust. If not, it might not be a viable switch.
5) Get the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Next comes the Certificate of Sponsorship. Your employer issues it once everything’s in place. Go over the details carefully—job title, code, salary, start date—because whatever’s written there is what the Home Office will go by. You’ll use the CoS number to submit your application.
6) Gather your documents
Have the basics ready so you’re not caught off unprepared:
- passport and current visa/BRP or eVisa details
- CoS number
- proof that you completed your course or met the PhD study requirement
- qualifications if the role asks for them
- proof of funds if your sponsor isn’t certifying maintenance
- any country-specific items you normally provide (for example, TB test, where applicable)
File everything in one folder. Consistent info across documents matters.
7) Apply online from inside the UK
Complete the Skilled Worker application before your student visa expires. You’ll pay the application fee and the immigration health surcharge. Answer carefully and keep copies of your submission and payment receipts.
8) Prove your identity
You’ll either use the UK Immigration ID Check app or book a UKVCAS appointment for biometrics. Follow the instructions you’re given, then keep the confirmation.
9) Stay put while it’s processing
Once you’ve applied, you are not expected to travel. Leaving the UK during your application can get your application canceled automatically. Just stick to the conditions of your current visa and keep your employer in the loop about timelines so they know when you’ll realistically be able to start.
10) Decision and next steps
When the decision arrives, read it line by line. Check the visa length, work conditions, and employer details. Share what HR needs, sort your BRP/eVisa access, and line up your start date.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
Conclusion
Switching from a student visa to a Skilled Worker visa in the UK isn’t impossible, but it does take planning. The main hurdles are finding the right employer and making sure your role qualifies under the rules. Once those pieces fall into place, the rest is mostly paperwork and patience.
If you’re still studying, start looking into potential sponsors early so you’re not scrambling when your course ends. And if you’re already at the end of your program, move quickly because timing matters with these applications.
