Update Your Skilled Worker Visa If You Change Job or Employer

You must apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if your new job is in a different occupation code or with a different employer approved by the Home Office.

If you want to change your job or employer and are considering applying to update your Skilled Worker visa, contact our immigration solicitors at 0203 417 3700.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Skilled Worker visa?
2. Changing jobs with the same employer on a UK Skilled Work visa
3. Update your Skilled Worker visa if you change your employer
4. Requirements for updating a Skilled Worker visa
5. Minimum salary requirement for a Skilled Worker visa
6. Required documents to apply to update a Skilled Worker visa
7. How to apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if you change job or employer?
8. How long does it take to update a UK Skilled Worker visa?
9. How much does it cost to update a Skilled Worker visa?
10. How can our solicitor help to update your Skilled Worker visa?
11. FAQs: Update your Skilled Worker visa
12. Need legal advice & assistance?

What is the Skilled Worker visa?

The Skilled Worker visa is a long-term UK work visa allowing overseas skilled workers to work in the UK with a UK-based employer with a valid sponsor licence.

The Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa in December 2020.

The Skilled Worker route is for employers to recruit highly skilled workers from around the world to work in the UK in a specific job. Employers will need a sponsorship licence from the Home Office to hire skilled employees from outside the UK.

Changing jobs with the same employer on a UK Skilled Work visa

As a skilled worker visa holder, you can change jobs if your new job is within the same occupation code (SOC) as your current job with the same employer.

You do not need to update your Skilled Worker visa if your new job is within the same occupation code and meets the salary requirements. However, informing the Home Office of significant changes to your role is good practice.

Update your Skilled Worker visa if you change your employer

Before making a change, it's important to consider whether your new employer is willing and eligible to provide the necessary sponsorship for your Skilled Worker visa.

Ensuring this sponsorship is in place is important to successfully update your visa and continue working legally in the UK.

While changing your employer, you make sure that your new job meets the salary requirements set by the Skilled Worker visa scheme. Failing to meet these requirements can impact your visa eligibility and future immigration prospects.

Requirements for updating a Skilled Worker visa

Before applying to update your Skilled Worker visa, ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria to maximise your chances of being a successful applicant.

• You must have a valid job offer from a UK-based employer.
• Your employer must have a valid sponsor licence.
• You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
• Your job is a genuine vacancy.
• Your job must be at or above the required skill level of RQF Level 3.
• You must meet the minimum salary requirements.
• You should prove your knowledge of English.

You must meet all other eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances. For eligibility assessment, contact our immigration solicitors by calling 020 3417 3700 or filling in our online contact form.

Minimum salary requirement for a Skilled Worker visa

From 4 April 2024, to be eligible to update a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must now earn at least £38,700 gross per year.

The minimum salary requirement for the UK Skilled Worker visa generally must meet either the general salary threshold which is usually £38,700 per year or the "going rate" for the specific job, whichever is higher.

Required documents to apply to update a Skilled Worker visa

Ensure that all documents are current, valid, and organised before submitting your application.

Documents you'll need to apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if you change job or employer:

• your valid passport or other document to confirm your identity
• Biometric residence permit (BRP) – if issued
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your new employer
• the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number
• details about your new job including your job title, annual salary, and job occupation code
• evidence of meeting the minimum salary requirement
• evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK
• proof of English language proficiency

You may need to provide additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances. To get a comprehensive UK Skilled Worker visa document checklist, schedule an appointment today with our specialist UK immigration solicitor in London.

How to apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if you change job or employer?

You can apply online to switch to a UK Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK if you meet all the eligibility requirements of Appendix Skilled Worker.

You should follow these steps to apply to update your Skilled Worker visa:

• Check Eligibility: Ensure your new job meets the Skilled Worker visa requirements.
• Get a New Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your new employer must provide you with a new CoS.
• Apply for a New Visa: Complete and submit the Skilled Worker visa application form online along with all the supporting documents such as CoS, proof of English proficiency, and other required documents.
• Pay the Fees: Pay the relevant Skilled Worker visa application fee and the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS).
• Attend a Biometric Appointment: As part of your application, you'll need to prove your identity. You will need to book and attend a biometric appointment.
• Wait for the Decision: After submitting your Skilled Worker visa application and attending the biometric appointment wait for the decision which usually takes 8 weeks on average.

How long does it take to update a UK Skilled Worker visa?

The standard processing time for an application to update a UK Skilled Worker visa is 8 weeks. However, you may be able to use "Priority Service" to get a faster decision.

How much does it cost to update a Skilled Worker visa?

To apply to update a UK Skilled Worker visa you must have enough money to pay a visa application fee that ranges from £827 to £1,636 and a healthcare surcharge usually £1,035 per year.

If you're applying from inside the UK to update your Skilled Worker visa, the standard fee depends on whether you'll be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £827 per person.
• more than 3 years - £1,636 per person.

Costs associated with Skilled Worker visa applications

• Pay the Skilled Worker visa application fee which is between £827 to £1,636 per person.
• Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which is usually £1,035 per year.
• You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

How can our solicitor help to update your Skilled Worker visa?

Are you planning to update your Skilled Worker visa? Contact our immigration solicitors to understand how to apply and eligibility criteria.

Our expert team of UK immigration solicitors and lawyers will be able to assist you with any type of UK visa or immigration application.

FAQs: Update your Skilled Worker visa