Introduction
Moving from a UK Student visa to a work visa is a common goal for international graduates. But getting a job after graduation does not automatically give you the right to stay and work in the UK long term. You need to meet the UK skilled work visa requirements and apply under the correct immigration route.
For many graduates, the direct route is switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa. Others may first use the Graduate route and later move into sponsored employment. The right option depends on your course, job, salary, age, sponsorship, and visa status. This article explains the current 2026 rules, salary thresholds, application process, and common mistakes to avoid.
Can You Switch Inside the UK?
Yes. In many cases, you can switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa without leaving the UK.
However, being eligible to switch depends on your current immigration status and whether you meet the Skilled Worker requirements.
If you currently hold a Student visa, one of the following conditions must generally apply:
- You have completed the course for which your Student visa was sponsored.
- Your job start date is after your course has finished.
- You are studying full time for a PhD and have been studying it for at least 24 months.
The Home Office also allows certain Student visa holders to apply for a Skilled Worker route before their course officially ends, subject to the specific Student route rules. A student studying a full-time degree-level course with a compliant higher education provider may be able to start a permanent full-time job after making a valid Skilled Worker application, subject to the conditions in the Immigration Rules.
You also need to remain in the UK while your application is being decided. If you travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before a decision is made, your application can be treated as withdrawn.
This makes the timing of your application important. Do not wait until the last few days of your Student visa if you already have a suitable sponsored job.
Student Visa to Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility
- You Need an Eligible Job Your job must be eligible under the Skilled Worker route and linked to the correct SOC 2020 occupation code. Since the 2025 changes, the occupation system has placed greater emphasis on higher-skilled roles. GOV.UK categorises eligible occupations as higher skilled, medium skilled, or ineligible. Some medium-skilled jobs remain eligible only under specific conditions or lists. This means you should check the occupation code rather than relying only on the job title.
- Your Employer Must Be a Licensed Sponsor Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and be able to sponsor you for the role. The employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is an electronic record containing details about your job and sponsorship. You cannot normally apply for a Skilled Worker visa without the required sponsorship.
- You Must Meet the Salary Requirement The standard salary requirement is generally the higher of:
- £41,700 per year, or
- The standard going rate for your occupation.
- You Need to Meet the English Requirement For new Skilled Worker applications, the English requirement is now generally B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference. You can meet this requirement in several ways. For international graduates, one important route is having a UK degree that was taught in English. If you have a degree from outside the UK that was taught in English, you may need an Ecctis assessment to confirm the qualification and language of instruction. If you do not have another accepted way to prove English, you can take an approved Secure English Language Test. This change is particularly important for students who may have older information showing B1 as the requirement. The Home Office guidance confirms that applicants making first Skilled Worker applications from 8 January 2026 generally need B2 English.
UK Skilled Work Visa Requirements Checklist
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Current immigration status | A visa that allows switching inside the UK |
| Eligible job | Role must meet Skilled Worker occupation rules |
| Licensed employer | Employer must be an approved sponsor |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | Valid CoS from your employer |
| Salary | Usually at least £41,700 or the applicable going rate, whichever is higher |
| English | Usually B2 for a new Skilled Worker application |
| Maintenance funds | Usually £1,270 unless an exemption applies |
| Identity | Passport and required biometric/identity checks |
| Application | Online Skilled Worker application |
| Immigration fees | Application fee and, where applicable, Immigration Health Surcharge |
What Does the Skilled Worker Visa Cost?
When making applications within the UK, the following are the standard application charges:
- £943 for a stay of three years or less
- £1,865 for a stay of more than three years
Discounted application charges exist in certain situations, which include occupations listed on the Immigration Salary list.
Almost all skilled worker applications also incur the Immigration Health Charge. The current standard charge is £1,035 per year.
These charges do not include English language test fees or professional registration fees.
Student to Work Visa UK: Switch or Graduate Route?
Students often have two practical options after completing their studies.
Option 1: Switch Directly to Skilled Worker
With a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor, you may consider moving directly to be an even simpler choice.
There will be no need to apply for one of the temporary immigration programs, and you will begin developing your history as a Skilled Worker right away.
It may be especially convenient if you have a sponsoring employer and fit the occupational and salary criteria.
Option 2: Apply for the Graduate Route
The Graduate visa applies to those who are eligible international students who have completed their UK study program.
With the Graduate route, you may be able to work without the need for a sponsor. This visa is temporary and cannot be extended.
The standard Graduate visa usually lasts two years for those applying up to and including 31 December 2026. After that date, the usual length of the visa will reduce to 18 months. People who hold a PhD or other doctorate will get three years.
This is crucial information for students planning to use the Graduate route.
The Graduate route is very useful when you have not managed to find a sponsor immediately after graduating. You can find jobs and get an employer to sponsor you at a later date.
You should not expect that all the jobs on the Graduate visa will qualify for the Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker Visa
- Is the employer a licensed sponsor?
- Is the occupation eligible?
- Does the salary meet the required threshold or an applicable discounted rate?
- Do you meet the English requirement?
- Does the employer issue a valid CoS?
- Do you meet the other validity and suitability requirements?
New Entrant Salary Rules Explained
The new entrant rules are particularly relevant to recent graduates.
Under the current Skilled Worker rules, eligible new entrants can potentially qualify for a lower salary than the standard rate. The salary must generally be at least £33,400 per year and at least 70% of the standard going rate for the occupation.
You may qualify as a new entrant if, if you fall under one of the below mentioned criteria:
- Under 26 when you apply
- Studying or recently graduated in circumstances covered by the rules
- Working towards a recognised professional qualification
- In a postdoctoral position that meets the relevant conditions
Recent graduates should pay close attention to this provision. A job that does not meet the standard £41,700 threshold may still qualify if the new entrant conditions and applicable going rate are satisfied.
However, the lower salary does not mean every entry-level job qualifies. The occupation must still be eligible, the employer must be licensed, and the salary must meet the relevant percentage of the going rate.
New entrant status also has limits. It is not a permanent salary discount that you can use throughout your career. The rules place limits on how long an applicant can rely on the new entrant provisions.
For this reason, students should look at both their current salary and their likely salary progression before choosing a sponsored role.
How to Apply From Inside the UK
Once you have a qualifying job offer, the application process generally follows these steps.
Step 1: Confirm Your Employer’s Sponsor Status
Check that your employer is licensed to sponsor Skilled Workers.
If they are not, ask whether they are willing and eligible to apply for a sponsor licence. Do not assume that a large or well-known company automatically sponsors every role.
Step 2: Confirm Your Occupation Code
Your employer will identify the relevant occupation code for your role.
Check that the duties of the job match the selected occupation code. A mismatch between the actual role and the occupation code can create problems during the application.
Step 3: Receive Your CoS
Your employer assigns your Certificate of Sponsorship.
The CoS contains important information such as your job title, occupation code, salary, sponsor details, and employment start date.
You generally need to use the CoS to apply within three months of it being assigned.
Step 4: Prepare Your Documents
Depending on your circumstances, you may need:
- Current passport
- CoS reference number
- Evidence of English language ability
- Proof of maintenance funds, if required
- Criminal record certificate for certain jobs
- ATAS certificate, if applicable
- Other documents requested by UKVI
Step 5: Submit the Online Application
Complete the Skilled Worker application online and pay the applicable fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
You will also need to prove your identity. Depending on your circumstances, this may involve using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attending an appointment.
Step 6: Wait for the Decision
The standard service currently states that applicants applying from inside the UK generally receive a decision within 8 weeks. Faster services may be available depending on eligibility and capacity.
Do not make international travel plans while your application is pending without checking the immigration consequences first. Leaving the relevant common travel area before a decision can result in the application being withdrawn.
Common Reasons Switch Applications Fail
A strong application can still fail if one of the core requirements is missed.
The Job Is Not Eligible
Some roles do not qualify under the Skilled Worker occupation rules. Since the occupation rules changed, checking the current occupation code is essential.
Salary Is Too Low
A job may sound suitable but still fail the salary test. Check the general threshold, going rate, and any applicable discount before accepting the offer.
Employer Cannot Sponsor You
Not every UK employer is a licensed sponsor. An employer may also have a licence but choose not to sponsor a particular role.
Wrong Occupation Code
The occupation code should reflect the actual duties of your job. Choosing a code simply because it has a lower salary requirement can create problems.
English Requirement Is Not Met
Students sometimes assume that studying in the UK automatically solves every English requirement. While a qualifying UK degree taught in English can be used to prove English, other applicants may need an approved test or another accepted form of evidence.
Applying Too Early From a Student Visa
A Student visa holder must meet the specific switching conditions. For example, the course completion or job start-date requirements must be satisfied, unless the applicable PhD rule applies.
Waiting Until the Last Minute
Visa timing matters. If your Student or Graduate visa is close to expiry, there may be little room to correct an issue with sponsorship or documentation.
UK Work Visa for Indian Students
For Indian students, the route from studying in the UK to long-term employment is broadly the same as for other international students. However, Indian graduates should pay particular attention to English evidence, sponsorship, salary, and the transition date between visas.
If you complete a UK degree, the qualification may help you meet the English language requirement if it was taught in English and awarded by a UK institution. This can be useful because a separate English test may not be necessary in that situation.
For students who already have a sponsored job after graduation, the direct Student-to-Skilled Worker route can make sense.
For those still searching for a job, the Graduate route can provide additional time to work and find an employer willing to sponsor them. However, the Graduate route is temporary, and its duration is changing in 2027.
Indian students should also compare the salary offered by prospective employers with the relevant Skilled Worker going rate. Entry-level graduate jobs are not automatically eligible simply because they require a degree.
The best approach is to check the occupation code and salary before accepting a job based on the assumption that sponsorship will be available later.
Conclusion
Moving from a UK Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa may allow for better prospects for work and stay in the long term, yet there are certain requirements to fulfill in order to make such a transition.
Among the main UK skilled work visa requirements there are the following: an appropriate occupation, a sponsor organization which has license to do so, a Certificate of Sponsorship, a certain salary, knowledge of the English language, as well as other immigration and financial criteria.
Students who already have a qualified sponsorship can switch directly to the Skilled Worker visa. Those who require additional time to find employment can take advantage of the Graduate route before transitioning from the graduate visa to the Skilled Worker visa.
Changes in regulations mean that old sources may be out-of-date and misleading. Particularly, those applying in 2026 should pay attention to the B2 English requirement, salary threshold, occupation list, and duration of the Graduate visa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You generally cannot switch inside the UK if you are currently on certain immigration routes, including a visitor visa, short-term Student visa, Parent of a Child Student visa, Seasonal Worker visa, or domestic worker visa. People on immigration bail or permission outside the Immigration Rules may also be unable to switch from inside the UK. They may need to leave the UK and apply from abroad.
A Student visa holder also cannot simply switch because they have received a job offer. They must meet the Student route switching conditions, including the relevant course completion or job start-date requirements.
One major change affecting new applicants is the English language requirement. New Skilled Worker applicants generally need to demonstrate B2 English from 8 January 2026, unless they qualify for an applicable exemption or alternative evidence.
The standard salary requirement is generally £41,700 or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. Lower salary options can apply in specific circumstances, including qualifying new entrant cases and certain shortage, healthcare, education, or PhD provisions.
Occupation eligibility has also become more important, particularly after changes to the skilled occupation framework. Always check the current SOC 2020 code rather than relying on an old job list.
No, IELTS is not compulsory specifically for a Skilled Worker visa.
You need to prove the required level of English, which is generally B2 for a new Skilled Worker application. You can meet this requirement through accepted qualifications or an approved English language test.
For example, a degree from a UK institution that was taught in English can be used as evidence. A degree from outside the UK that was taught in English may require an Ecctis assessment. If you do not have another accepted qualification, you can take an approved SELT.
Therefore, Indian students who have completed a qualifying UK degree may not need to take IELTS again just for the Skilled Worker application.
The phrase “28 days rule” is used in several UK immigration contexts, so it should not be confused with a special 28-day waiting period for every Skilled Worker application.
For Student visa holders, the important switching rule is linked to course completion and the job start date. The job must meet the relevant conditions for switching to Skilled Worker.
There is also a separate 28-day rule concerning delayed employment. Under the suitability rules, Skilled Worker permission can be affected if the start date recorded on the Certificate of Sponsorship is delayed by more than 28 days.
Separately, the £1,270 maintenance funds normally need to have been held for 28 consecutive days before the application, with day 28 within 31 days of applying.
So, if you see references to the “28 days rule,” check which immigration rule the information is actually referring to.
Yes, but you normally need to update your Skilled Worker visa if you change to a different employer or move to a different occupation code that requires an update.
If your new job is with a different employer, you need a new Certificate of Sponsorship and must apply to update your visa before starting the new role.
You may also need to update your visa if your job changes to a different occupation code, subject to the rules that apply to your circumstances.
Do not start a new sponsored role on the assumption that your existing Skilled Worker permission automatically covers it.
After five years of qualifying residence, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you meet the settlement requirements.
The qualifying five-year period can include time spent on certain other eligible immigration routes, not only Skilled Worker permission. However, Student and Graduate visa time does not simply count as Skilled Worker settlement time.
You must also meet the other settlement conditions, including the relevant salary, continuous residence, and absence requirements. If you are aged 18 to 64, you generally need to pass the Life in the UK Test.
The earliest you can normally apply for ILR is 28 days before completing the required five-year qualifying period.