Key Takeaways
Changing jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa is feasible, but it often demands prior approval from the Home Office to maintain compliance.
A fresh Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is essential, and submitting a new visa application becomes necessary when switching employers, altering your occupation code, exiting the Immigration Salary List, or adding a sponsored secondary role exceeding 20 hours weekly.
Certain adjustments, like salary hikes, slight title modifications, or shifts in work location, typically just require employer reporting via the Sponsor Management System without a full visa update.
Your new position must align with the latest Skilled Worker salary thresholds and going rates, reflecting current regulations rather than those from your initial visa grant.
You can keep working for your existing sponsor during the application process, but refrain from beginning the new role until you receive approval.
Typically, changing jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa won’t reset your path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), as long as you avoid any interruptions in lawful stay.
Introduction
Advancing in your career is a key aspect of professional growth. Whether you’re pursuing a promotion, a more rewarding opportunity, or a fresh start, changing jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa adds layers of immigration considerations. For overseas talent in the UK, your work authorization is linked to your specific sponsor and role, making transitions more complex than for local workers.
Failing to handle changing jobs on a UK Skilled Worker visa correctly could result in application denials, status lapses, or setbacks in achieving settlement. This comprehensive resource breaks down the rules, procedures, and strategies to manage these changes smoothly, drawing from the most recent 2026 guidelines.
At its core, changing jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa requires balancing career ambitions with strict compliance to preserve your residency rights.
Can You Change Jobs or Employers on a UK Skilled Worker Visa?
Absolutely, changing jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa is permitted, provided you adhere to the proper immigration protocols outlined by the UK government.
In numerous cases, you’ll need to update your visa and secure approval prior to commencing the new position. For minor tweaks, your sponsor might only need to notify the authorities.
Distinguishing between what necessitates a full application and what doesn’t is vital when considering changing jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa.
The Essential Rule: When Do You Need to Update Your Visa?
The primary confusion in changing jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa revolves around mandatory updates. Your visa ties to your CoS details, so significant alterations often trigger a refresh.
However, not all modifications demand a complete application. Refer to the following table for clarity on changing jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa.
| Scenario | Visa Update Required? | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Switching to a new sponsor | Yes | Requires a new CoS and full submission. |
| Promotion with new occupation code | Yes | Apply if duties shift substantially, per occupation code guidelines. |
| Moving off the Immigration Salary List | Yes | Must satisfy standard thresholds if the new role isn’t listed. |
| Adding a second sponsored job (>20 hours/week) | Yes | Needs separate CoS; see additional work rules. |
| Salary increase with same employer | No | Sponsor reports via SMS. |
| Minor job title adjustment | No | If code and duties stay consistent. |
| Relocating offices with same employer | No | Employer notifies the change. |
| TUPE transfer in mergers | Usually No | Contract continuity often exempts immediate updates. |
Remember, even without a personal application, sponsors have obligations under the sponsorship guidance when changing jobs on a UK Skilled Worker visa.
Core Requirements for Changing Jobs or Employers on a UK Skilled Worker Visa
When a visa update is needed for changing employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa, treat it as a new in-country application, meeting fresh criteria.
Three fundamental elements must be satisfied:
- Sponsor Licence Validity: The prospective employer requires an active Skilled Worker sponsor licence. Absence of one could delay proceedings by up to eight weeks.
- Fresh Certificate of Sponsorship: Obtain an undefined CoS for in-country switches, detailing the role, pay, and commencement. Ensure the occupation code accurately reflects duties to prevent refusals.
- Salary Compliance: Align with 2026 thresholds—typically £41,700 or the job’s going rate, whichever is greater. Lower rates apply for Immigration Salary List roles or if your initial CoS predates April 2024, as per updated rules.
For medium-skilled roles, eligibility hinges on pre-July 2025 CoS dates under the temporary shortage list.
The Detailed Process for Changing Jobs or Employers on a UK Skilled Worker Visa
Timing is crucial in changing jobs on a UK Skilled Worker visa to avoid breaches.
Follow this sequence:
Step 1: Confirm Offer and Eligibility
Verify the new role’s compliance with salary thresholds and sponsor status before resigning.
Step 2: Secure New CoS
The employer issues the CoS; double-check for accuracy to sidestep errors.
Step 3: Submit Application
Use the GOV.UK portal for in-UK updates. Opt for standard (8 weeks), priority (5 days), or super priority (next day) services.
Step 4: Biometrics Submission
Utilize the ID Check app or attend a UKVCAS center for identity verification.
Step 5: Await Decision
Do not commence the new job until approved; continue with your current sponsor meantime.
Managing Timelines, Notice, and Potential Gaps
In changing jobs on a UK Skilled Worker visa, coordinate transitions carefully.
You may serve your notice while processing occurs. Applications can start three months pre-new role.
Avoid employment gaps to protect ILR continuity, though switches rarely disrupt it if lawful.
Example Timeline for Changing Employers on a UK Skilled Worker Visa:
- Week 1: Offer received, CoS assigned.
- Week 2: Application filed (priority).
- Week 3: Biometrics completed.
- Week 4: Approval; resign.
- Weeks 5-8: Notice period.
- Week 9: New job begins.
Implications for Dependants
Dependants on linked visas don’t always need updates when you pursue changing jobs on a UK Skilled Worker visa.
They can stay on existing permissions until expiry. For extensions, align with your application via dependant guidance.
A refusal on your end could impact theirs.
Common Mistakes to Dodge in Changing Jobs or Employers on a UK Skilled Worker Visa
- Premature Start: Illegal to begin new work pre-approval; risks curtailment and licence revocation.
- Travel During Processing: Avoid international trips, as it withdraws your application per travel rules.
- Occupation Code Mismatches: Ensure codes match duties; mismatches lead to denials, as highlighted in English knowledge requirements checks.
Conclusion
Navigating changing jobs UK Skilled Worker visa involves extra steps but supports career mobility. By identifying update triggers, adhering to timelines, and verifying latest thresholds, you safeguard your UK status.
Stay informed on visa switches and consult experts for tailored advice toward permanent residency.
