International Students who are in the UK on a student visa can apply for switching to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK subject to meeting the application validity requirements and eligibility requirements as set out in Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules. An application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa is submitted to the Home Office UKVI according to requirements as set out in Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix Immigration Salary List.
An applicant switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa will meet the salary requirement as a new entrant as long as the period for which the UKVI-approved licenced sponsor/employer is sponsoring the migrant skilled worker does not exceed 4 years. It is very common for students to be sponsored by UK employers for a period of 3 years when students are applying for switching to a skilled worker visa as a new entrant from inside the UK.
Also, the licenced sponsors of the students are exempt from paying the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to someone switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK.
Free Immigration Advice Online For Switching From Student Visa To Skilled Worker Visa
Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can provide one-off free immigration advice online in relation to your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK. Ask a question to our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors for free immigration advice online or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice with our specialist skilled worker visa solicitors concerning your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK.
Course Completion Requirement For Students Switching To Skilled Worker Visa
According to changes to the Immigration Rules introduced on 17 July 2023, a student switching to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK must fulfil one of the Conditions A, B or C below on the date of application:
Condition A:
- the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
Condition B:
- the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at a degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
- the Certificate of Sponsorship must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or
Condition C:
- the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
- the Certificate of Sponsorship must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.
Most applicants applying for switching from student to skilled worker visa from inside the UK will apply by meeting Condition B above. An application for switching into a skilled worker visa as a student can be submitted within 3 months of the course completion date as given in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
The Home Office UKVI can normally determine whether the applicant has completed their course by checking the end date on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). However, the applicant may have completed their studies and, therefore, met the requirement of the Rules in advance of the end date on the CAS. If the end date on the CAS indicates they have not yet completed their studies, the Home Office UKVI caseworker will consider whether the course may have been completed by looking at any information provided with the application (for example, a results transcript) and any notifications made by the Student Sponsor. If the course stated on the CAS was at PhD level, the Home Office UKVI caseworker will use the course start date to assess whether they have completed at least 24 months.
Under condition B, it is possible for a student to switch into skilled worker visa even if they have not fully passed the degree course as long as the application is submitted within 3 months before the course completion date and the job start date in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is after the course end date as given in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Switching From Student Visa To Skilled Worker Visa?
The applicant applying for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK must fulfil the following requirements as set out in Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules:
Valid Application: The applicant must submit a valid application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK.
Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): The applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that was issued to them by their sponsor no more than 3 months before the date of application.
Points Requirement: The applicant must score 50 points from mandatory non-tradeable points and score at least 20 points from tradeable points.
Applicant's Age: To switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa, the applicant must be 18 or over at the date of application.
Immigration Status Requirement: An applicant who is applying for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa must be in the UK on a student visa on the date of application
Course Completion Requirement: An applicant who is applying to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa must fulfil one of Conditions A, B, or C as set out in Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules.
Suitability Requirement: The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.
Written Consent From The Official Sponsor: An applicant applying for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa who received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency during 12 months before the date of application covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK must have provided written consent to the application from that Government or agency.
Financial Requirement: If the applicant is applying to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa and has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
If the applicant has been in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application, either:
- the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270. The applicant must show that they have held the required funds for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance; or
- the applicant’s A-rated sponsor must certify that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment, to an amount of at least £1,270.
Salary Requirements For Skilled Worker Visa UK
To succeed in the Skilled Worker visa application, the applicant must score 50 points from mandatory non-tradeable points and at least 20 points from tradeable points.
Mandatory Non-Tradeable Points For Skilled Worker Visa
The applicant must score 50 mandatory non-tradeable points to succeed in an application for a Skilled Worker visa, and the remaining 20 points can be scored from tradeable points. The mandatory non-tradeable points are given in the table below:
| Characterstics | Points |
| Sponsorship | 20 |
| Job at appropriate skill level | 20 |
| English language skills at level B1 (intermediate) | 10 |
Tradeable Points For Skilled Worker Visa UK
The application process for skilled worker visas asks applicants and sponsors to provide all relevant information that might attract tradeable points. Applicants can score tradeable points in more than one way (although they cannot mix and match different options). To secure a successful skilled worker visa, an applicant must amass 20 tradeable points. These points can be acquired through various options, each offering its own set of criteria for point allocation. However, please note that the applicant can claim 20 points from only one of the available options.
The applicant must be awarded 20 points from one of the options in the table below and for the purpose of meeting these points:
(a) an applicant can only be awarded points from options A to E, unless they meet the requirements in (b) or (c).
(b) An applicant can only be awarded points from options F to J if:
(i) they are being sponsored for a Health and Care ASHE salary job; or
(ii) the date of application is before 4 April 2030, they were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded).
(c) An applicant can only be awarded points from option K if they are being sponsored for a job in an appropriate eligible SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations.
If your initial Certified of Sponsorship (CoS) was assigned on or after 4 April 2024, you will usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher. Each occupation code has its own annual going rate.
Salary Requirements Under Options A to E
Various options to score 20 tradeable points for meeting the salary requirement for skilled worker visa UK are as follows:
Meeting Salary Requirements Under Option A
The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option A in accordance with the requirements of paragraph SW8.1 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:
- £38,700 per year; and
- the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option B (PhD in a Subject Relevant To The JOB)
The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option B as per the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to SW9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £34,830 per year; and
- 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option C (PhD in a STEM Subject Relevant To The Job)
The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option C according to the requirements of paragraphs SW10.1 to SW10.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £30,960 per year; and
- 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option D (Job On The Immigration Salary List)
The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option D in accordance with the requirements of SW11.1 to SW11.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £30,960 per year; and
- the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option E (New Entrant)
The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option E as per requirements of SW12.1 to 12.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £30,960 per year and
- 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Salary Requirements Under Options F to J
An applicant for a skilled worker visa can only be awarded 20 points from options F to J if:
- they are being sponsored for a Health and Care ASHE salary job; or
- the date of application is before 4 April 2030, they were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded).
You can be awarded 20 tradeable points under options F to J. The points scoring for 20 tradeable points under option F to J is explained below:
Meeting Salary Requirement With Option F
The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option F as per the requirements of SW8.1 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:
- £29,000 per year; and
- the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2 or 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option G (PhD in a Subject Relevant To The JOB)
The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option G in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to 9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £26,100 per year; and
- 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2 or 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option H (PhD in a STEM Subject Relevant To The Job)
The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 points under Option H in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to 9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £23,200 per year; and
- 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2 or 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option I (Job On The Immigration Salary List)
The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option I in accordance with the requirements of SW11.1 to SW11.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £23,200 per year; and
- the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option J (New Entrant)
The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option E as per requirements of SW12.1 to 12.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £23,200 per year and
- 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Option K (Job in a Listed Health or Education Occupation)
Some health and education occupation codes are listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations. The going rates for these occupations are taken from national pay scales and no discounts to the going rates are available. If an applicant is being sponsored in an occupation code in Table 3, they can only score tradeable points based on option K.
The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa UK can score 20 tradeable points under Option K in accordance with requirements of SW13.1 to 13.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation and their salary equals or exceeds both:
- £23,200 per year; and
- the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
Can I Use Priority/Super Priority Service To Switch From a Student Visa To a Skilled Worker Visa?
As specialist skilled worker visa solicitors based in London, we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) and its commercial partners UKVCAS Sopra Steria to provide Priority Service or Super Priority Service for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa whereby decision on your skilled worker visa application will be made within 24 hours if you submit your application through Super Priority Service or within 5 working days if you submit your application through Priority Service.
Our skilled worker visa solicitors can prepare and submit your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa faster and get you a decision on your application faster through Priority or Super Priority Service. This way, you will not have to wait for the decision on your Skilled Worker visa application for months (sometimes years).
How Can We Help With Switching From Student Visa To Skilled Worker Visa?
Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representations for your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa on a fixed fee basis. Our skilled worker visa solicitors can legally represent you in your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa and carry out all the work on your application until a decision by the Home Office UKVI on your skilled worker visa application. The immigration casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa will entail the following:
Advice on requirements: Our skilled worker visa solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you have to meet for your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa to be successful;
Documentary advice: Our skilled worker visa solicitors will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to be submitted in support of your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa;
Assessing documents: Our skilled worker visa lawyers will assess your documents to make sure that all the documents you provide in support of your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa are in accordance with the requirements of the immigration rules;
Completing the application form: Our skilled worker visa lawyers will complete the relevant application form for your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa;
Submitting an application through Priority or Super Priority Service: If required, our skilled worker visa lawyers will submit your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa online through priority/super priority service to get a faster decision on your application for switching into skilled worker visa;
Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa, our skilled worker visa lawyers will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics;
Detailed cover letter: Our specialist skilled worker visa solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa to explain all the relevant legal requirements for your application to be approved by the Home Office UKVI;
Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our skilled worker visa lawyers will upload online all the supporting documents to be considered in support of your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa;
Follow-up work: Our skilled worker visa lawyers will carry out all the follow-up work until the Home Office UKVI decides on your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa.
Other Related Services
- Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence
- Entry Clearance For Skilled Worker Visa UK
- Switching To a Skilled Worker Visa
- Extension Of Skilled Worker Visa UK
- Updating Skilled Worker Visa UK
- ILR As A Skilled Worker
- Skilled Worker Dependants
- Work Visas UK
- Administrative Review Of UK Visa Refusal
How Much Does Switching From a Student Visa To a Skilled Worker Visa UK Cost?
The costs involved in the application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK are as detailed below:
Our Fixed Fees
Our fixed fee for your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa ranges from £800 + VAT to £1,200 + VAT. Our fixed fee will cover all our work on your application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK including advising on documents, checking your documents, completing the application form and submitting the application online, booking an appointment for biometrics enrolment, preparing a cover letter in support of the application, uploading all supporting documents to be considered in support of the application, and carrying out all other follow up work until decision by the Home Office UKVI on your application.
Our agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of your case and the volume of work involved in your application. You will make an initial payment of half our fee when we start working on your matter, and the remaining half is due once we have fully prepared the application and it is ready for submission.
Unable to afford the cost of the full service? You have the option to book an appointment online for our one-off immigration advice and consultation service for a fixed fee of £100 (including VAT) or our immigration document checking service for a fixed fee of £300 (including VAT).
Home Office UKVI Fees
If you're applying for a switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK, the Home Office UKVI fees for the application depend on the duration of your intended stay:
- For stays up to 3 years, the fee is £827 per person and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at the rate of £1035 per year.
- For stays exceeding 3 years, the fee is £1,636 per person and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at the rate of £1035 per year.
Individuals whose occupations are listed on the shortage occupation list are eligible for reduced application fees for themselves and their families:
- The fee for each person applying is £551 for stays up to 3 years and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at the rate of £1035 per year
- For stays exceeding 3 years, the fee is £1,084 per person and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at the rate of £1035 per year.
FAQs - Switching From Student Visa To Skilled Worker Visa UK
Following are the various frequently asked questions (FAQs) about switching from a student visa to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK:
Yes, international students studying in the UK can switch to a Skilled Worker Visa from inside the UK if they secure a job offer for a skilled job from a UK employer that is willing to sponsor their visa. The job offer must meet the requirements set by the UK Home Office. The applicant must meet the course completion and other eligibility requirements set out in Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules.
Key requirements for students switching to a skilled worker visa include having a valid job offer for a skilled job from a UK employer with a Sponsor License, meeting the skill level and salary threshold for the specific occupation, demonstrating English language proficiency, meeting the course completion requirement, and satisfying other eligibility criteria as outlined by the UK Home Office in Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules.
Students studying courses below degree level cannot switch to skilled worker visas from inside the UK without fully completing their course.
Students studying a course at degree level or above with a higher education provider that has a track record of compliance can switch to a skilled worker visa even before the course completion date if the Certificate of Sponsorship has a job start date no earlier than the course completion date, as given in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Students studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance can switch into skilled worker visa if the Certificate of Sponsorship has a job start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.
No, a student with a short-term student visa is not permitted to switch to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK.
An applicant who is applying to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which paragraph ST 27.3 of
Appendix Student applies), or the course must have finished before the start date on their CoS. Alternatively, if the course was leading to a PhD award they must have completed at least 24 months of that course.
The applicant's current visa status must be a student for an applicant to switch from a student to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK. Please note that a person on a short-term student visa is not permitted to switch to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK.
If the student applying for switching to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of skilled worker visa application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds for maintenance.
