Are you on a Skilled Worker Visa and thinking of switching jobs? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Many people find that their career goals change or they fancy trying something new completely at some point in their working life. Fortunately, changing employers on a Skilled Worker Visa is possible. However, it is important to know the legal requirements changing jobs can entail and what steps you need to keep in mind.
Within this article we’ll walk you through the process of changing employers while on a Skilled Worker Visa, making sure you understand all the ins and outs of finding a new career and securing the right visa updates.
What is a Skilled Worker Visa?
Before taking a deep dive into the process of switching employers, it’s a good idea to know what a Skilled Worker Visa is and how it works. A Skilled Worker Visa allows individuals to come to, or stay in the UK, to do a job with an approved sponsor. The role must be eligible under the visa’s specific criteria – this means the job requires a certain skill level that is equivalent to RQF Level 3, A-Level, or higher.
The visa is tied to both your employer and the job you’re doing. This means that if you want to switch roles, your new employer must also be a licensed sponsor, and the job role must meet the relevant visa requirements.
Find the right job
The main thing you’ll need to do if you want to change jobs is to find a new employer who is a registered sponsor under the Skilled Worker Visa scheme. It is important when applying for roles and interviewing that you know this information from the start – this is so you don’t waste your time or the potential employer’s time. They will need to have the correct sponsorship licence and are informed that you need this to accept any roles awarded, not all companies have the correct license.
Before you start the position, your new employer will need to issue you with a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for you to proceed with the visa application.
Check the skill and salary requirements
When changing employers, the job you’re moving into must still meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa. These requirements include:
Skill Level
The new job must be at least at RQF Level 3 (A-Level or equivalent) or higher.
Salary
The salary for the new role must meet the minimum threshold for the Skilled Worker Visa. The standard minimum salary is £26,200 per year (or £10.75 per hour), but this can vary depending on the occupation and age. Some roles, especially in healthcare or engineering, may have different thresholds.
Make sure to review the official UK government salary thresholds and confirm that your new job meets these points. Your new employer should also be aware of these requirements, as they’ll need to ensure they’re offering you a qualifying role.
Apply for a new Skilled Worker Visa
Once you’ve secured a new job and your employer has issued a Certificate of Sponsorship, you’ll need to apply for a new Skilled Worker Visa. This is crucial – your current visa is tied to your previous employer, so you’re not able to just transfer your visa to the new employer. Instead, you must apply for a new visa based on your new job and sponsorship details. We have summarised the process below:
- Submit a visa application – Apply for a new visa online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
- Provide the required documents – This will include proof of the new job offer, your Certificate of Sponsorship, and evidence your new salary meets the minimum threshold.
- Pay the application fee – The visa application fee varies depending on the type of job you’re moving into, but typically ranges from £610 to £1,408. If applicable, you may need to also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives you access to the NHS while you’re in the UK.
How long will it take? The processing time for a new Skilled Worker Visa can vary but is typically around 8 weeks. During this time, you can continue working in your previous job while your new visa application is being processed, as long as you’ve submitted your application before your current visa expires.
Wait until you’re approved
One of the most important things about the process to remember is you can’t start your new job until your new Skilled Worker Visa has been approved. While you can switch jobs after applying, you should wait until your new visa is granted before starting with a new employer.
If for some reason you do start working before your visa’s been approved, you might be in breach of immigration rules which could potentially jeopardise your visa status.
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