If your new job is in a different occupation code or with a different employer the Home Office has authorized, you must apply to update your skilled worker visa!
Additionally, you have to go through the application process to confirm that the position satisfies the requirements for your visa and that your new employer is a licensed sponsor qualified to hire you.
This article will discuss the process and requirements of switching employers on a skilled worker visa in the UK.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The skilled worker visa is a long-term UK work permit that allows foreign workers with a valid sponsor license to work in the country with a UK-based firm. This visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa in December 2020.
Employers can use this technique to hire highly qualified individuals worldwide to perform a job in the United Kingdom. In addition, employers must get a sponsorship license from the Home Office to hire eligible workers from outside the UK.
What is the Process of 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.
Therefore, 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 crucial to consider whether your new employer is qualified and willing to sponsor your skilled worker visa. You must ensure this sponsorship is in place to update your visa and continue working lawfully in the United Kingdom.
Also, you must ensure that your new employer satisfies the pay requirements established by the skilled worker visa program when you change employment. Your future immigration prospects and visa eligibility may be affected if you don’t fulfill these standards.
Requirements for Updating a Skilled Worker Visa
Before applying to update your Skilled Worker visa, ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria to maximize 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 license.
- You must possess 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 also meet the minimum salary requirements.
- You should provide evidence of your knowledge of English.
You must meet all other eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances.
What is the Minimum Salary Requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa?
Applicants must make at least £38,700 gross annually as of April 4, 2024, to be eligible to upgrade a skilled worker visa. For the UK skilled worker visa, the minimum wage must be at least the “going rate” for the particular employment or the general salary criterion, typically £38,700 annually, whichever is higher.
Required Documents to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa
Ensure all documents are current, valid, and organized 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 license 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.
How do you apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if you change your job or employer?
If you meet all the eligibility requirements of Appendix Skilled Worker, you can apply online to switch to a UK skilled worker visa from inside the UK.
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 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: You must book and attend a biometric appointment to prove your identity as part of your application.
- Wait for the Decision: After submitting your Skilled Worker visa application and attending the biometric appointment, wait for the decision, which usually takes eight 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 eight weeks. However, you may be able to use “Priority Service” to get a faster decision.
Visa application using super priority service
You may be eligible to apply for a visa using the “Super Priority Service” to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You must pay the “Super Priority Service” and visa application fees.
Visa application using priority service
You can choose “Priority Service” when you apply for a visa to make a faster decision within five working days. You must pay the “Priority Service” and visa application fees.
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 three years – £1,636 per person
Costs associated with Skilled Worker visa applications
- Pay the Skilled Worker visa application fee between £827 and £1,636 per person.
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), usually £1,035 annually.
- You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to prove you can support yourself in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start working for my new employer before my new skilled worker visa is approved?
You cannot start working for your new employer until your new Skilled Worker visa application is approved.
Do I need to leave the UK to apply for an updated skilled worker visa?
You can apply to update your Skilled Worker visa from within the UK if you change jobs or employers.
Will updating my skilled worker visa affect my settlement application?
Changing your job or employer and updating your visa should not negatively affect your application for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) as long as you meet the visa requirements and maintain continuous lawful residence.
Can I continue working in my current job while waiting for the decision on my new visa application?
Yes, you can continue working in your current job while your new Skilled Worker visa application is being processed, as long as your current visa is still valid.
What happens if you lose your job on a skilled worker visa?
You must locate another suitable job as quickly as possible if you lose your job while working in the UK on a skilled worker visa. If not, you will have to depart the UK within 60 days after quitting your work or, if earlier, when your passport expires.
The UK Home Office list on the gov. uk website offers an occupation code for a job that qualifies. Furthermore, the qualifying position must be with a company that has been granted permission by the UK Home Office to hire workers on worker visas.
You can also apply for a new skilled worker visa using the Certificate of Sponsorship your new company will give you if you locate a qualifying position.
Can I work part-time on a Skilled Worker visa?
You have to earn the minimum salary threshold in your role. This is an absolute figure, not a full-time equivalent figure. Therefore, if you meet the threshold for a part-time role, you can still be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa.
How much does a skilled worker visa change employer cost?
Typically, there is no fee for updating your Skilled Worker visa as long as you meet the requirements. The cost for a new Skilled Worker visa application depends on the length of your visa and whether your job is on the shortage occupation list.
If your visa was issued for under three years, the fee is £719. The cost for a regular Skilled Worker visa is £1,420.