Already in the UK on another visa? Found a new job or changing employer? This guide covers everything you need to know about switching routes and extending your Skilled Worker visa.
If you are already in the UK on a different visa, you may be able to switch to the Skilled Worker route without leaving the country — provided you meet all the eligibility requirements and your current visa allows switching.
| Current visa | Can switch? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa | ✓ Yes | Very common route — graduates switching after finding a sponsored job |
| Graduate visa | ✓ Yes | One of the most common switching routes |
| Skilled Worker visa (same employer) | ✓ Yes — extend | Apply before current visa expires |
| Skilled Worker visa (new employer) | ✓ Yes — new CoS needed | New Certificate of Sponsorship required from new employer |
| Intra-Company Transfer visa | ✓ Yes | Must meet standard Skilled Worker requirements |
| Spouse / partner visa | ✓ Yes | Must have a valid job offer and CoS |
| Scale-up Worker visa | ✓ Yes | |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | ✓ Yes |
| Current visa | Can switch? | Why not |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa (Standard Visitor) | ✗ No | Visitor visas explicitly prohibit switching. You must leave the UK and apply from outside. |
| Short-term study visa | ✗ No | Must leave the UK to apply |
| Seasonal Worker visa | ✗ No | Must leave the UK to apply |
It is a serious immigration offence to try to switch from a visitor visa to a work visa from inside the UK. If you entered on a visitor visa and have found a job offer, you must leave the UK and apply for your Skilled Worker visa from abroad.
Switching visas follows the same application process as a new Skilled Worker visa. You will need:
You apply online through the UKVI portal, pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, and submit your biometrics. Processing typically takes around 8 weeks for in-country applications, or faster if you use a priority service.
If you apply to switch or extend your visa before your current permission expires, your existing leave is automatically extended under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 — known as "3C leave." This allows you to remain in the UK legally, and continue working on the same conditions, while UKVI processes your new application — even if your original visa expires in the meantime.
3C leave ends when a decision is made on your application (or when any appeal or administrative review rights are exhausted). It is critical that you apply before your current visa expires — if you miss the deadline, 3C leave does not apply.
You can extend your Skilled Worker visa if you continue working for the same sponsor in the same (or eligible) role. Extensions can be granted for up to 5 years at a time.
You can apply to extend up to 3 months before your current visa expires. Do not leave it too late — if you apply after your visa expires, you will be in breach of your conditions and may face serious consequences.
Your employer will need to issue you a new Certificate of Sponsorship for the extension period.
If you change employers during your Skilled Worker visa, you generally need to apply for a new visa based on a Certificate of Sponsorship from your new employer before starting the new role (if the new employer is a different sponsor).
You do not need to leave the UK — you apply from inside the UK in the same way as a switch or extension. The key requirements are that your new role meets the skill level and salary thresholds and your new employer holds a valid sponsor licence.