- Page Contents
- Overview
- What Is Visa Switching?
- Switching Into Family Visa
- Switching Into Work Visa
- Switching Into Dependant Of Work Visa Holder
- Switching Into Other Visa Categories
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you are already lawfully in the UK, you may be able to switch from your current visa category to a difference visa category from inside the UK. Our specialist team of immigration solicitors provide legal help and switching from one visa type to another from inside the UK. Our highly experienced have wealth of knowledge and huge experience of dealing with applications for switching visas from inside the UK.
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Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide Priority / Super Priority Service for faster decision on certain applications for switching visas from inside the UK. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online or book an appointment online for a detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our specialist immigration solicitors concerning your application for switching from your current visa category into another visa category.
What Is Visa Switching?
Switching is where an applicant with one type of leave to enter or remain or immigration status in the UK applies for leave to remain from inside the UK to seek stay under some other visa category. If you are not allowed by the Immigration Rules to switch your visa status from one visa category to another, the application you make for variation of leave to remain may not succeed. It is therefore important to understand the visa switching rules to switch from one visa category to the other from inside the UK. In cases where you cannot switch from your current visa status to another from inside the UK, the immigration rules require that you have to leave the UK and apply for UK visa Entry Clearance from outside the UK.
Our expert team of immigration solicitors can provide legal help and assistance with switching from one visa category to the other from inside the UK. For certain applications, we can also provide Super Priority Service for switching visas from inside the UK.
Followings are the various visa categories for which our expert immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed fee legal services for switching into visas from inside the UK:
Switching Into Family Visas From Inside The UK
You can apply for switching into family visa from inside the UK if you are already in the UK under a visa categor from which switching into family visa is permitted under the UK immigration rules. As specialist family visa solicitors, we can provide fast, friendly and reliable fixed fee legal services for the following applications for switching into family visas from inside the UK:
- Switching Into Spouse Visa UK
- Switching Into Unmarried Partner Visa
- Switching Into Same Sex Partner Visa
- Switching Into Civil Partner Visa UK
- Switching Into Parent Of A Child Visa UK
- Switching Into Ukraine Family Scheme Visa UK
Switching Into Work Visas From Inside The UK
Subject to meeting the immigration status requirement, you can switch into work visa from inside the UK. For most applications for switching into work visas from inside the UK, an application for switching into work visa can be submitted to the Home Office UKVI through Priority Service / Super Priority Service for a faster decision on the switching application. Our specialist team of work visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly and reliable fixed fee legal services for the following applications for switching into work visas from inside the UK:
- Switching Into Skilled Worker Visa
- Switching Into Health and Care Worker Visa
- Switching Into Scale-up Worker Visa UK
- Switching Into T2 Minister Of Religion Visa
- Switching Into Global Talent Visa UK
- Switching Into Graduate Visa / PSW Visa UK
- Switching Into High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa UK
- Switching Into Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
- Switching Into UK Expansion Worker Visa
- Switching Into International Sportsperson Visa UK
- Switching Into BNO Visa UK
Switching Into Dependant Visa As A Dependant Of Work Visa Holder
Dependants of work visa holders can apply for switching into dependant visa from inside the UK if they meet the immigration status requirement, relationship requirement and financial requirement. Dependants of work visa holders can apply for switching into dependant visa through Priority Service or Super Priority Service for faster decision on the dependant visa application. As specialist dependant visa solicitors, we can provide fast, friendly and reliable fixed fee legal services for the following applications for switching into dependant visas from inside the UK:
- Switching Into Skilled Worker Dependant Visa
- Switching Into Health and Care Worker Dependant Visa
- Switching Into Scale-up Worker Dependant Visa UK
- Switching Into UK Ancestry Dependant Visa
- Switching Into T2 Minister Of Religion Dependant Visa
- Switching Into Global Talent Dependant Visa
- Switching Into Tier 1 Entrepreneur Dependant Visa
- Switching Into Sole Representative Dependant Visa
- Switching Into International Sportsperson Dependant Visa UK
- Switching Into Senior or Specialist Worker Dependant Visa
- Switching Into High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa UK
- Switching Into Expansion Worker Dependant Visa
- Switching Into Graduate Dependant Visa UK
Switching Into Other Various Visa Categories
Following are the various other visa categories for which you can submit a switching application from within the UK if your immigration status in the UK permits you to switch in-country:
- Switching Into Student Visa UK
- Switching Into Student Dependant Visa UK
- Initial Application For Discretionary Leave To Remain (DLR)
- Application For Switching Into Pre-Settled Status Under EUSS
FAQs - Switching Visas Within UK
An applicant who is applying for switching into a work visa from inside the UK must be in the UK on the date of application and must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
- as a Visitor; or
- as a Short-term student; or
- as a Parent of a Child Student; or
- as a Seasonal Worker; or
- as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
- outside the Immigration Rules.
An applicant who is applying for switching into family visa from inside the UK must be in the UK on the date of application and must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
- as a Visitor; or
- as a Short-term student; or
- as a Parent of a Child Student; or
- as a Seasonal Worker; or
- as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
- outside the Immigration Rules.
Even if you do not meet the above criteria, you may still be able to switch to a family visa based on your exceptional circumstances and special considerations under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act (BCIA) 2009.
Yes, as a result of changes made to the Immigration Rules as of 1 December 2020, it is now possible for a student to switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK without completing his/her course.
Yes, you can switch from a temporary worker visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK.
For most in-country switching applications, including switching into a family visa, work visa or student visa, you can submit your switching application through Priority / Super Priority Service for a faster decision on your switching application.
Yes, you can switch from a spouse or partner visa to a skilled worker visa from inside the UK if your relationship with your partner or spouse breaks down irretrievably.
If you are an overstayer in the UK, you can apply to switch to a spouse/partner visa for 10 years from inside the UK, subject to meeting all the eligibility requirements.