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Switching From a Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa

: Written by: Arshad Mahmood; Last Updated: 09 April 2026

International Students in the UK on a student visa can apply to switch to a skilled worker visa from within the UK, subject to meeting the application and eligibility requirements set out in Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules. An application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa is submitted to the Home Office UKVI in accordance with the requirements 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, provided 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 3 years when applying for a skilled worker visa as a new entrant from within the UK.

Also, employers/sponsors sponsoring someone on a student visa 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.

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Free Immigration Advice Online for Switching From a Student Visa To a Skilled Worker Visa

Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can provide a free, one-off 5-minute immigration advice session regarding your application to switch to a skilled worker visa. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our expert immigration solicitors concerning your application for switching to a skilled worker visa.

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 (CoS) 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 (CoS) must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.

Most applicants who wish to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa from within the UK will typically apply by meeting Condition B above. An application to switch to a skilled worker visa as a student can be submitted within 3 months of the course completion date shown 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 before 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 reviewing any information provided with the application (for example, a results transcript) and any notifications from 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 the applicant has completed at least 24 months.

Under condition B, it is possible for a student to switch into a 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).

Requirements For Switching From a Student Visa To a 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 within the UK.

Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): The applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned to them by their sponsor within the past 3 months.

Points Requirement: The applicant must score 50 points from mandatory non-tradeable points and 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 a switch 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: Applicants 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 Suitability of the Immigration Rules.

Not In Breach Of Immigration Laws: If applying for switching to a skilled worker visa, the applicant must not be:

in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
on immigration bail.

Written Consent From The Official Sponsor: An applicant applying for switching to a 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 permission to stay 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 at least £1,270 in funds. The applicant must show that they have held the required funds for a 28-day period, as specified in Appendix Finance; or
The applicant’s A-rated sponsor must certify that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant for at least the first month of their employment, to an amount of at least £1,270.

English Language Requirement: You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

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 an appropriate skill level	20
English language	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 or Table 3a of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

Salary Requirements Under Options A to E

The salary requirements for skilled worker visa under options A to E changed from 22 July 2025. Various options to score 20 tradeable points for meeting the salary requirement as per the new skilled worker visa rules, effective from 22 July 2025, for a 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:

£41,700 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code, as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a 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:

£37,500 per year; and
90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a 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:

£33,400 per year; and
80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a 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:

£33,4000 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option E (New Entrant)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option E as per the 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:

£33,400 per year and
70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a 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).

The salary requirements for skilled worker visa under options F to J changed from 22 July 2025. Various options to score 20 tradeable points for meeting the salary requirement as per the new skilled worker visa rules, effective from 22 July 2025, for a skilled worker visa UK are as follows:

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:

£31,300 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 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:

£28,200 per year; and
90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 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:

£25,000 per year; and
80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 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:

£25,000 per year; and
the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a 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 the 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:

£25,000 per year and
70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a 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:

£25,000 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 3, 3a, 4 or 5 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Can I Use Priority/Super Priority Service?

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 five 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, and get you a decision 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.

How Can We Help With Switching From a Student Visa To a Skilled Worker Visa?

Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation for your application to switch 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 must meet for your application to switch 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 submit with your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa.

Assessing documents: Our skilled worker visa lawyers will review your documents to ensure that all materials you provide in support of your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa comply with the immigration rules.

Completing the application form: Our skilled worker visa lawyers will complete the relevant form for your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa.

Priority or Super Priority Service: If required, our skilled worker visa lawyers will submit your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa online via priority/super priority service to receive a faster decision.

Booking an appointment with the application centre: After submitting your online application for switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa, our skilled worker visa lawyers will book an appointment with the application centre for you to enrol in biometrics.

Detailed Cover Letter: Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter to support your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa. This letter explains the relevant legal requirements for your application to be approved by the UKVI.

Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our skilled worker visa lawyers will upload all supporting documents online to support your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa.

Follow-up work: Our skilled worker visa lawyers will undertake all necessary follow-up work until the Home Office UKVI has decided on your application to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa.

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Specialist Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors in the UK

Our committed team of skilled worker visa solicitors possesses in-depth expertise in UK immigration law, with a specific focus on the Skilled Worker Visa pathway. We are well-versed in the nuances of securing this visa and stay up to date with the latest regulations and requirements, providing precise guidance to our clients. Our immigration solicitors specialise in Skilled Worker Visa applications, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of managing such cases effectively. We provide prompt, accessible, and reliable fixed-fee immigration advice and legal assistance customised to meet the requirements of your UK Skilled Worker Visa application.

Premium Solicitors are specialist solicitors for skilled worker visa applications. The high quality of the services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced skilled worker visa solicitors is evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating earned by 99% of our clients.