Yes, you can switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK, provided three things line up. You must have completed your course (or reached the 24-month PhD exception), hold a Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-approved sponsor, and meet the points and salary tests. Apply before your Student permission expires.
TL;DR:
- Eligibility requires formal course completion evidence, or 24 months studying full time for a PhD; an informal last exam date alone is insufficient.
- At a compliant university, apply up to three months before course end only if the sponsored job starts afterward; apply before permission expires.
- A valid application may let you start work after course completion, but some PhD students must await approval; leaving the UK withdraws a pending application.
- Verify that the sponsor holds a licence and the role normally meets RQF level 6; new entrant status may temporarily lower salary requirements.
- Budget £943 for stays up to three years or £1,865 for longer stays, plus a £1,035 annual surcharge and usually £1,270 in funds unless exempt.
Table of Contents
- Who can switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
- When can you apply, and when can you start work?
- What does a valid Skilled Worker application require?
- What will switching cost, and what funds must you show?
- How do you switch? A step-by-step checklist
- When does a solicitor reduce your risk?
- A word of reassurance from michelle
- How we help with your switching application
- FAQ
- Sources
Who can switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
The Home Office sets clear tests, and switching is allowed in three situations: you have completed the course you were sponsored for, your job start date falls after the course end date, or you are a full-time PhD student who has completed at least 24 months of study. In practice, completion is evidenced by the end date on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) or a confirmation letter from your university. An informal finishing date, such as your last exam, is not enough on its own.
Some applicants may be unable to switch from inside the UK. Check the Skilled Worker caseworker guidance to confirm whether you can apply from within the UK.
If you apply before your course has formally ended, your higher education provider must also have a track record of compliance. Check this with your international student office before you rely on it.
When can you apply, and when can you start work?
Timing is where students need to take care. If you study at a compliant higher education provider, you can apply up to three months before your course ends, but only if the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship falls after the course completion date. Imperial College London’s guidance sets out the same position for undergraduates and masters students.
Keep these points in mind:
- Once your course is complete and you have submitted a valid application, you may generally start the Skilled Worker job, subject to the detailed rules in the Home Office sponsor guidance.
- Some PhD students on the 24-month route may need to wait for their application to be granted before starting work. Check the rules that apply to your circumstances.
- Check the official guidance to confirm when you need to apply, and seek advice if your Student permission is nearing expiry.
- Travelling outside the UK before a decision is made withdraws your application.
UKCISA also warns that an invalid application can damage your right to work, so submit only when every requirement is met.
What does a valid Skilled Worker application require?
Your application stands on the job offer, so check the role before you check yourself. The employer must hold a sponsor licence and assign you a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. Ask for the licence details and confirm the sponsor’s status before you accept anything in writing.
The job must normally sit at RQF level 6, so check the occupation code against the Skilled Occupations list in the Immigration Rules. The route has mandatory and tradeable criteria. Your sponsored job offer and English language ability contribute to the mandatory criteria, while salary or new entrant status may contribute to the tradeable criteria. The Points-Based System policy statement explains that people switching from the Student route can qualify as new entrants, which can lower the salary requirement for a limited period.
Roles on the Immigration Salary List can have different fee and salary arrangements, so check the rules that apply to your job. Our guide to the Skilled Worker salary thresholds shows why the employer’s pay decisions matter, and our complete requirements guide covers the full checklist.
What will switching cost, and what funds must you show?
Budget before you apply, because the upfront costs are real. The GOV.UK costs page lists the figures below.
The application fee is £943 per person for stays of up to 3 years and £1,865 per person for longer stays, with lower fees for roles on the Immigration Salary List.
- The Immigration Health Surcharge is typically £1,035 per year of your stay, paid upfront for the whole period.
- You must usually show at least £1,270 in maintenance funds, unless you are exempt.
- Many employers cover fees and the surcharge, but get this in writing before you accept the offer.
Treat these costs as yours until your employer confirms otherwise.
How do you switch? A step-by-step checklist
- Secure a qualifying job offer and confirm that your employer will assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship with the correct start date.
- Check the occupation code, skill level and salary, including whether you qualify as a new entrant.
- Gather proof of course completion, such as your CAS end date and a university letter, or evidence of 24 months of full-time PhD study.
- Complete the online application when you meet the requirements, pay the fee and the surcharge, and follow the official instructions for any biometrics appointment.
- Keep copies of everything you submit, and tell your employer about the right-to-work position while the decision is pending.
Our guide to the UK job offer visa application walks through how to prepare around your employer, and our processing time checklist helps you plan the wait.
When does a solicitor reduce your risk?
Mismatched dates and incomplete evidence can complicate an application, so check your documents carefully. When your course end date, CAS dates and CoS start date sit close together, a small inconsistency can sink an otherwise sound case. Our solicitors handle exactly this kind of checking. Our guide to the role of a solicitor in Skilled Worker applications sets out how we work.
- We check your CAS and CoS dates against each other and against your course completion evidence.
- We collate university confirmations and test them against what the Home Office expects to see.
- We draft supporting statements and liaise with your sponsor.
- We can discuss options for urgent applications when your visa is close to expiry.
Pro Tip: If your dates are tight or your evidence could be questioned, take advice before you submit, because a refusal is far harder to repair than an application is to check.
A word of reassurance from michelle
Moving from student life to a salaried job is a big change, and worrying about timing is completely normal. A well-prepared application can benefit from securing a Certificate of Sponsorship, keeping paperwork consistent and checking the application timing carefully. If your timeline or your documents feel tight, speak to a specialist sooner rather than later.
— michelle
How we help with your switching application
We handle Student to Skilled Worker switches with a solicitor involved from the first call. Our fees page lists a one-hour initial consultation at £120 and Skilled Worker applications at a fixed fee of £1,000.
- An initial consultation to test your eligibility and timing
- Fixed-fee Skilled Worker application preparation
- Our urgent visa service for time-critical cases
Bring your job offer, your CoS details, your CAS and your university evidence. Book your consultation and we will tell you where you stand.
FAQ
Can I get a UK work visa after studying in the UK?
Yes. You can switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor and meet the route’s requirements. You must also have completed your course or met the PhD exception.
Can I change my Student visa to a partner visa?
Switching to a partner visa is a different route with its own eligibility rules, so it needs separate advice. It depends on your relationship and your partner’s status. Our team can assess which route fits your circumstances.
Can a dependant switch to a Skilled Worker visa in the UK?
A dependant can apply in their own right if they hold a job offer from a licensed sponsor and meet the Skilled Worker requirements. Their eligibility to switch depends on their current permission, so check it before applying.
How much is a two-year UK working visa?
The application fee is £943 per person for stays of up to 3 years. You will also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of your stay.
Sources
- Gov
- Skilled worker visa route for international students
- Skilled Worker | Current students | Imperial College London
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