How to switch to Skilled Worker Visa as an international student in UK

Recently, the United Kingdom has changed the eligibility criteria for their Skilled Worker Visa so that international students who are already in the UK can apply.

Officially, skilled worker visa applicants don’t need a degree to apply as per recent changes. If an applicant can secure a job offer from an employer that’s approved by the Home Office, they can then switch from the student route visa to the skilled worker one immediately without having to finish their degree.

International students are increasingly opting for the Graduate Apprenticeship Route as a cheaper and faster way to get full-time employment in the UK. The graduate route, on the other hand, requires students to pay expensive course fees and maintenance before entering the job market.

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
be paid a minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do

You must also be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.

You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:

on a visit visa
on a short-term student visa
on a Parent of a Child Student visa
on a seasonal worker visa
on a domestic worker in a private household visa
on immigration bail
because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

How much will it cost
When you apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:

pay the application fee – the standard fee ranges from £625 to £1,423 depending on your circumstances
pay the healthcare surcharge – this is usually £624 per year

You’ll pay a lower application fee if your job is on the shortage occupation list.

If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

up to 3 years – £719 per person
more than 3 years – £1,423 per person

If you’ve been in the UK for less than 1 year, you’ll also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself- you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available in your bank account.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.