Can I switch from a student visa to skilled worker visa without completing a degree course?
If you are in the UK on a student visa, you may want to take up a job without completing your degree course. It may currently be possible to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa without completing your degree course. We take a look at the requirements.
At Halliday Reeves, we specialise solely in visas and immigration, meaning we have an exceptionally high level of experience and understanding of this complex area of law.
We represent students and workers in securing and switching visas, enabling them to live, work and study in the UK. If you are considering switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa without completing your degree course, we can put together a robust application on your behalf. We will also ensure that the right documents accompany your application to give it the best chance of success.
To talk to us about switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa, please feel free to ring us on 0330 133 7777, email us at enquiries@hallidayreeves.com or fill in our Contact Form and we will do all we can to help.
“Can we also take this opportunity to thank you for how you handled our enquiry. We were both feeling anxious about making contact with a solicitor to discuss our circumstances. You were so warm, friendly and understanding when we spoke.”
Eligibility To Switch To A Skilled Worker Visa
If you wish to move from a student visa to a skilled worker visa before you have completed your degree, you will need to satisfy the eligibility criteria for the skilled worker visa. This means that:
- Your job must be eligible; and
- You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English to an acceptable level and provide evidence of this
Job Eligibility For A Skilled Worker Visa
You need to have a confirmed job offer before you apply which must comply with the following requirements:
- Be offered by an employer that has been approved by the Home Office
- The employer must have a sponsorship licence and have issued you with a certificate of sponsorship in respect of the job you have been offered
- The job must be on the government’s list of eligible occupations
- The employer must have a genuine vacancy for the position
- If you are a new entrant to the labour market, the salary should be at least £20,480 per year. This should also be at least 70% of the ‘going rate’ for the occupation
- If you are not a new entrant to the labour market, the job must pay a minimum salary that is the highest of either:
- £26,200 per year; or
- £10.75 per hour; or
- The ‘going rate’
- You have sufficient money to support yourself, which is generally £1,270. Your employer can fill in a section of the certificate of sponsorship if they intend to provide money to support you
Fee For Switching From A Student Visa To A Skilled Worker Visa
The application fee for switching to a skilled worker visa from inside of the UK is £719 for up to three years. If you will be applying for more than three years, the fee is £1,423.
If the job you are applying for is on the shortage occupation list, it will be £479 for up to three years and £943 for more than three years.
You also need to pay the healthcare surcharge, which is generally £624 per year.
Apply To Switch From A Student Visa To A Skilled Worker Visa
You will need to resubmit your identity information when you apply. This means that you will either need to provide your fingerprints and photograph at a visa service point or use the UK
Immigration: ID Check app to scan your passport.
When you submit your application, you will also need to provide evidence showing that you satisfy all of the above eligibility criteria. If you ask us to represent you, we can go through each point and check that you have adequate evidence. We will advise you on the best documents to include and check that your application is as robust as possible.
You should submit your application before your existing visa expires.
Rules From January 2024
From January 2024, it will not be possible to switch from a student visa to a skilled worker visa until your studies have been successfully completed. This will not affect those on a graduate visa.
Contact Our Student Visa Solicitors
At Halliday Reeves, our immigration solicitors offer a full range of personal immigration services. If you are considering switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa, we can provide advice and representation.
We have offices in Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Wakefield and Nottingham. To speak to one of our expert UK immigration lawyers, ring us on0330 133 7777, email us at enquiries@hallidayreeves.com or fill in our Contact Form.
“All went well and I got all the special services you could expect from such a professional organisation. I will 100% advise anyone who is in need of the immigration services with pride.”
