Graduate Route to Skilled Worker Visa: How the Switch Actually Works
The Graduate Route allows international students to stay in the UK after completing an eligible degree. During this time, they can look for jobs and gain work experience without needing employer sponsorship.
However, this visa cannot be extended. If you want to continue working in the UK after it expires, you need to consider another visa option.
One option is to switch from the Graduate Route to a Skilled Worker visa. This visa allows you to work in an eligible job with an employer approved by the UK Home Office. Your employer must agree to sponsor you and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
You can apply for this visa from within the UK without going back to your home country. However, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a job offer from an approved UK employer.
- Choose a job that meets the visa rules.
- Meet the required salary and going rate for the job.
- Meet the English language requirement.
- Get a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.
You must also avoid travelling outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while your application is being processed. If you do, your application will be treated as withdrawn.
Does Your Employer Need a Sponsor Licence? What to Check Before You Apply
- Valid sponsor licence Before accepting a job, check whether the organisation appears on the official Register of Licensed Sponsors.
- Make sure your job qualifies Not every job can get you a Skilled Worker visa. Check if the job is allowed under the visa rules. Your employer will also need to choose a four-digit code for your job based on the work you do.
- Check how much you will earn Check the salary before accepting the job. It must meet the salary rules for your job and visa type.
- Talk to your employer about sponsorship Ask your employer if it will sponsor your visa and give you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). You need this certificate to apply for the visa.
- Graduate visa expiry date Do not wait until the last few weeks of your Graduate visa to start looking for sponsorship. Finding a suitable employer, checking the job requirements and receiving a CoS can take time. Start planning early to avoid problems with your immigration status.
Salary Thresholds in 2026: New Entrant Rate vs Going Rate
| Salary option | General salary threshold | Occupation going rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Skilled Worker | £41,700 | 100% |
| New entrant | £33,400 | 70% |
| Relevant non-STEM PhD | £37,500 | 90% |
| Relevant STEM PhD | £33,400 | 80% |
| Immigration Salary List job | £33,400 | 100% |
Are You a 'New Entrant'? Why This Status Changes Your Salary Requirement
The new entrant option allows some graduates to apply for a Skilled Worker visa with a lower salary. You may be eligible if you are under 26, have recently held a Student or Graduate visa and meet the required conditions, or are working in an eligible postdoctoral role.
If you qualify, your salary must be at least £33,400 a year and 70% of the usual rate for your job. You can use this option for a total of four years, including the time you have spent on a Graduate, Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa. For example, if you have already spent two years on a Graduate visa, you will have two years left under this option.
Certificate of Sponsorship and the Immigration Skills Charge: Who Pays What
Immigration Skills Charge
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a fee that employers usually pay when they sponsor a foreign worker. The amount depends on the size of the company and the length of sponsorship.
| Sponsorship period | Small/charitable employer | Medium/large employer |
|---|---|---|
| First 12 months | £480 | £1,320 |
| Each extra 6 months | £240 | £660 |
Some jobs, including certain research and university teaching roles, do not require this charge.
Who pays the costs?
| Cost | Who pays? |
|---|---|
| Sponsor licence and CoS fees | Employer |
| Immigration Skills Charge | Employer |
| Visa application fee | Applicant |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Applicant |
Step-by-Step: Switching From Graduate Route to Skilled Worker Visa
Once you find an employer willing to sponsor you, the next step is to complete the visa application.
Follow these steps: –
Step 1: Find an eligible job
Find a job which meets the Skilled Worker visa requirements. Please note that the employer must have a valid sponsor licence and the role must also have an eligible occupation code.
Step 2: Confirm your salary
Check whether your salary meets the standard Skilled Worker threshold or whether you qualify for the new entrant option.
Step 3: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship
After confirming that you meet the sponsorship requirements, your employer will give you your certificate of sponsorship. Check all the details in it, such as your name, salary, occupation code, etc.
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Collect your passport, CoS reference number and other supporting documents.
Step 5: Submit your online application
Through the official UK government website, complete the Skilled Worker visa application. You will have to give your CoS reference number, answer some questions regarding your immigration and employment history and then pay the fee along with the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Step 6: Prove your identity
Depending on your nationality and passport, you may be able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Otherwise, you may need to attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to provide your fingerprints and photographs.
Step 7: Wait for the decision
After submitting your application and completing the identity checks, wait for the Home Office decision.
Documents and Timeline for a Smooth Sponsorship Application
Although the exact documents depend on your circumstances, the following may be required:
Document
- Valid Passport
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- English language evidence
- Current immigration status
- Financial evidence
- TB test certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- ATAS Certificate
You may also need documents relating to your partner or children if they are applying as your dependants. One important change to remember is the English language requirement. For first-time Skilled Worker applicants under the rules introduced on 8 January 2026, the required level is B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You must demonstrate your ability to read, write, speak and understand English at this level.
Recent Policy Changes That Affect International Graduates in 2026
- Higher English language requirement From 8 January 2026, people who wants to makin their first Skilled Worker visa application must generally meet the B2 English language requirement instead of B1.
- Changes to the Graduate Route duration from 2027 One of the most important changes for international students concerns the length of the Graduate Route visa.
- Higher salary requirements for Skilled Worker applicants The standard Skilled Worker salary threshold increased to £41,700 from 22 July 2025. The new entrant general salary threshold is £33,400.
- Changes to eligible job requirements The Skilled Worker route has also seen changes to the skill level required for eligible jobs. Since 22 July 2025, the general skill requirement has been raised to RQF Level 6, with certain exceptions for jobs on the relevant lists and transitional arrangements.
| Graduate Route Application Date | Visa Duration |
|---|---|
| On or before 31 December 2026 | 2 years |
| On or after 1 January 2027 | 18 months |
| Eligible doctoral graduates | 3 years |
What to Do If You Can't Find a Sponsoring Employer in Time
- Continue searching for licensed employers Focus on employers who already hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence to avoid delays. Check the official Register of Licensed Sponsors and apply for roles that match your skills and qualifications.
- Explore other visa options You can consider other options too, like:-
- Student visa: For further studies at an approved institution.
- High Potential Individual visa: If you graduated from an eligible university.
- Global Talent visa: If you have recognised achievements in an eligible field.
- Track your Graduate visa expiry date Submit your next visa application before your Graduate visa expires. A job offer or Certificate of Sponsorship alone does not extend your stay. If you cannot qualify for another route, you may need to leave the UK before your permission expires.
- Know what happens if your employer loses its sponsor licence If your employer loses its licence, your visa may be shortened to 60 days or the remaining visa period, whichever is shorter. You may use this time to find another sponsor or apply under a different eligible route. Follow the deadline stated in your Home Office notification.
Conclusion
Graduates can switch to a Skilled Worker visa with an eligible job, approved sponsor and required salary. The new entrant option offers eligible graduates a lower salary threshold, subject to a four-year limit.
If you are also planning for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, before your visa expires, you should begin looking for suitable employers. Moreover, to prepare for your application, you should also understand the UK work visa sponsorship requirements. Apart from this, the uk work visa after graduation route you choose should depend on your future plans, job, and qualifications. So, If you are looking for skilled worker visa sponsorship, focus on employers with a valid sponsor licence and jobs that meet the visa requirements. If you are looking for skilled worker visa sponsorship, focus on employers with a valid sponsor licence and jobs that meet the visa requirements.
For the latest information about the Skilled Worker visa uk route, always check the official GOV.UK website. If you plan your UK work visa after graduation early, it gives you more time to find the right employer and sucessfully complete your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It means changing your visa from the Graduate Route to the Skilled Worker route without leaving the UK. To do this, you must meet the job, salary and other visa rules.
Yes. You must have a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office to sponsor workers. Your employer must also give you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
The usual minimum salary is £41,700 per year or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher. Some new entrants may qualify with a lower salary of £33,400 per year and at least 70% of the going rate.
Yes. You can apply from within the UK before your Graduate visa expires. While waiting for a decision, you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
The employer must pay the Immigration Skills Charge. You must pay your visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
No. You must meet certain conditions to qualify as a new entrant. This option also has a four-year limit, which includes the time you have spent on the Graduate visa.
Yes. You can usually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years on a qualifying visa route, if you meet all the rules. However, your time on the Graduate visa does not count towards these five years.