International Students who are in the UK on student visa can apply for switching to 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 student visa to skilled worker visa is submitted to the Home Office UKVI in accordance with requirements as set out in Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix Shortage Occupations List.
An applicant switching from student visa to 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 into skilled worker visa, as a new entrant, from inside the UK.
Also, the licenced sponsors of the students are exempt from payment of the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to someone switching from student visa to 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 student visa to 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 student visa to 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 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 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 the Condition B above. An application for switching into 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 student visa to 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 for switching from student visa to 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: The applicant must be aged 18 or over at the date of application for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa.
Immigration Status Requirement: An applicant who is applying for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa must be in the UK on student visa on the date of application
Course Completion Requirement: An applicant who is applying for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa must fulfil one of the 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 student visa to skilled worker visa, who has received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency in the 12 months before the date of application which covers 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 for switching from student visa to 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.
What Are The Mandatory Non-Tradeable Points For Switching From Student Visa To Skilled Worker Visa?
The applicant must score 50 mandatory non-tradeable points to succeed in an application for switching from student visa to Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK and the remaining 20 can be scored from tradable 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 |
What Are The Tradeable Points For Switching From Student Visa To Skilled Worker Visa?
For successfully switching from student visa to skilled worker visa from inside the UK, an applicant must gain 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 options available for claiming points.
Various options for claiming 20 points from the tradeable points for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa are as outlined below:
Option A: By meeting the stipulations outlined in paragraphs SW 8.1. to SW 8.5. and SW 14.1. to SW 14.6. of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, an applicant earns 20 points under option A if their salary meets or exceeds:
- £26,200 per yea;
- £10.75 per hour; and
- the going rate for the occupation code.
Option B: By fulfilling the requirements detailed in paragraphs SW 9.1. to SW 9.10. and SW 14.1. to SW 14.6. of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, an applicant gains 20 points under Option B if they hold a PhD relevant to the job and their salary meets or exceeds:
- £23,580 per year;
- £10.75 per hour; and
- 90% of the going rate for the occupation code.
In this entry, 10 points will be awarded for the educational qualification and 10 points will be awarded for the applicant’s salary.
Option C: By meeting the criteria outlined in paragraphs SW 10.1. to SW 10.6. and SW 14.1. to SW 14.6. of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, an applicant earns 20 points under option C if they hold a STEM-related PhD relevant to the job and their salary meets or exceeds:
- £20,960 per year;
- £10.75 per hour; and
- 80% of the going rate for the occupation code.
Option D: By fulfilling the requirements stated in paragraphs SW 11.1. to SW 11.6. and SW 14.1. to SW 14.6. of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, an applicant gains 20 points under option D if their job falls under a shortage occupation and their salary meets or exceeds:
- £20,960 per year;
- £10.75 per hour; and
- 80% of the going rate for the occupation code, for occupation codes where a going rate is specified.
Option E: By meeting requirements as set out in paragraphs SW 12.1. to SW 12.7. and SW 14.1. to SW 14.6. of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, an applicant earns 20 points under option E if they are a new entrant to the labor market and their salary meets or exceeds:
- £20,960 per year;
- £10.75 per hour; and
- 70% of the going rate for the occupation code.
Option F: Upon satisfying the requirements as set out in paragraphs SW 13.1. to SW 13.7. and SW 14.1 to SW 14.6. of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, the applicant will score 20 points under option F if applicant's job is in a listed health or education occupation and the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:
- £20,960 per year; and
- the going rate for the occupation code.
An applicant with a job in a listed health or education occupation can only be awarded tradeable points from option F.
Can I Use Priority or Super Priority Service For Switching From Student Visa To 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 for switching from student visa to 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 student visa to skilled worker visa on fixed fee basis. Our skilled worker visa solicitors can legally represent you in your application for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa and carry out all the work on your application until 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 student visa to 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 student visa to 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 student visa to 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 student visa to skilled worker visa are in accordance with the requirement of the immigration rules;
Completing the application form: Our skilled worker visa lawyers will complete the relevant application form your application for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa;
Submitting application through Priority or Super Priority Service: If required, our skilled worker visa lawyers will submit your application for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa online through priority or super priority service to get 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 student visa to 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 student visa to 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 skiled worker visa lawyers will upload online all the supporting documents to be considered in support of your application for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa;
Follow up work: Our skilled worker visa lawyers will carry out all the follow up work until decision by the Home Office UKVI on your application for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa.
Other Related Services
- Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence
- Entry Clearance For Skilled Worker Visa UK
- 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 Student Visa To Skilled Worker Visa UK Cost?
The costs involved in the application for switching from student visa to skilled worker visa from inside the UK are as detailed below:
Our Fixed Fees
Our fixed fee for your application for switching from student visa to 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 student visa to 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 our work 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 switching from student visa to skilled worker visa from inside the UK, the Home Office UKVI fees for the application depends 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 £1,500 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 Frequnetly Asked Questions (FAQs) about switching from student visa to 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 for switching 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 student to 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.