Update Your Skilled Worker Visa If You Change Job or Employer

If you're working in the UK on a Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) visa, your permission to stay is directly linked to the job and employer that sponsored you. That means certain career changes require formal approval from the UK Home Office before you move roles.

You must update your Skilled Worker visa whenever you change employers, take on a new role with a different occupation code, or take on a second job that is more than 20 paid hours a week.

You must update your Skilled Worker visa whenever you change employers, take on a new role with a different occupation code, or your personal details change. Your new employer must have a valid sponsor licence and issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship, ensuring your salary meets current thresholds. Always apply before starting the new role.

If you update your Skilled Worker visa if you change job or employer, you protect your immigration status, your future settlement plans, and your family's right to remain in the UK.

At Vanguard Solicitors, we regularly advise sponsored workers and UK employers on how to manage job transitions without risking visa refusals or breaches of immigration rules.

Need expert help updating your Skilled Worker visa? Call Vanguard Solicitors now at 0208 616 5535 or email info@vanguardlaw.co.uk for expert legal guidance.

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Can You Change Jobs or Employers on a Skilled Worker Visa?

You can change jobs or employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa, but you must apply to update your visa before starting. Your new employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that meets current salary thresholds and the correct occupation code.

Your Skilled Worker visa is tied to a specific employer, role, and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), so you cannot simply start a new job without permission from the UK Home Office.

When You Must Update Your UK Skilled Worker Visa

You are required to update your Skilled Worker visa whenever you change employers, move to a new role with different duties or a new occupation code, or if your personal details (such as your passport or name) change. Updates must be completed before starting a new role or if your visa is nearing expiry.

You must apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if you are:

• Changing to a new employer
• Switching to a different occupation code (unless on a recognised graduate training programme)
• Moving from a role on the Shortage Occupation List to one that is not
• Taking on a second sponsored job over 20 hours per week

If your role, employer, or occupation code remains largely the same, or if minor changes occur (like a small salary increase or office relocation), you usually do not need a new visa, though your employer may still need to report the changes to the Home Office.

The TUPE Exception

There is one important exception: TUPE transfers.

Under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE), your employment may automatically transfer to a new company because of a merger, acquisition, or business sale. In these situations, you generally do not need to submit a fresh visa application immediately, because your employment continues under the same terms, just with a new legal owner.

However, reporting duties may still apply, and professional advice is always recommended.

Changing Jobs with the Same Employer

Internal role changes are often simpler, but a visa update may still be required. You usually do not need to apply if:

• Your new role has the same SOC code
• Both roles are on the Shortage Occupation List
• You still meet 70 points under the Skilled Worker points system

If your responsibilities change significantly, causing a new SOC code, for example, moving from a technical to a senior management role, you will need to update your visa. The deciding factor is the nature of your job duties, not just the job title.

Skilled Worker Visa Requirements When Changing Jobs or Employers

If your situation requires a formal application to update your visa, you must meet the core Skilled Worker eligibility requirements again, just as you did when you first applied.

This includes:

• Meeting the minimum salary threshold
• Holding a job on the list of eligible occupations
• Meeting the English language requirement
• Not falling under general grounds for refusal (such as serious criminal history or previous overstaying)

If you are switching to a new employer, they must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence. Importantly, this licence must be A-rated. Without this, they cannot legally sponsor you.

Once confirmed, your new employer will issue you a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which forms the basis of your updated visa application.

Minimum Salary Requirement When Changing Jobs or Employers

To qualify, you must earn either the general salary threshold (£41,700 per year) or the occupation-specific “going rate” for your job.

Reduced thresholds may apply:

• Relevant PhD: £37,500 or 90% of the going rate
• STEM PhD: £33,400 or 80% of the going rate
• Immigration Salary List roles: £33,400 (degree) / £23,200 (sub-degree) or going rate

Check carefully, as salary rules and allowances are updated regularly.

Adding a Second Job to Your Skilled Worker Visa

If you take on a second job that exceeds 20 hours per week or falls outside your current sponsorship, you must update your visa. The new role must meet Skilled Worker eligibility, and your employer must issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship.

For medium-skilled roles, transitional rules apply: your first CoS must have been issued before 22 July 2025, and you must have held continuous Skilled Worker status.

You must include a supporting letter with your application stating your name, date of birth, current CoS reference, and visa expiry. If approved, your visa will cover both jobs.

You do not need to update your visa if the second role is eligible and under 20 paid hours per week, though it's advisable to confirm this does not breach sponsorship rules.

Medium-Skilled Occupation Codes

You can switch to a medium-skilled role if your first Certificate of Sponsorship was issued before 22 July 2025 and you have held continuous Skilled Worker status. These rules protect earlier entrants, but always verify current occupation classifications before applying.

Required Documents to Update a Skilled Worker Visa

• Valid passport or travel document
• New Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
• Proof of salary meeting current thresholds
• Job details with the correct occupation code
• English language evidence (if required)
• Proof for transitional salary concessions (if applicable)
• Additional documents, depending on your circumstances

Step-by-Step Process for Updating Your Skilled Worker Visa

Switching employers on a Skilled Worker visa requires careful planning. Here's a simplified overview:

Step 1: Secure the Job Offer and Check Compliance

Confirm your new employer holds a valid sponsor licence, the salary meets current thresholds, and the occupation code matches your role. Always verify the details rather than relying solely on HR.

Step 2: Receive Your New Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Review the CoS carefully to ensure your personal details, salary, and job description are correct. Mistakes can cause delays or refusals.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Apply online via the official GOV.UK portal. Options include:

• Standard service: ~8 weeks
• Priority service: ~5 working days (extra fee)
• Super priority service: next working day (extra fee)

Step 4: Provide Biometrics

You may need to use the UK Immigration ID Check app or attend a UKVCAS appointment to submit fingerprints and a photo.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

Do not start your new role until your visa is approved. Beginning work early can jeopardise both your visa and your employer's sponsor licence.

How Long Does It Take to Update Your Skilled Worker Visa?

Updating a Skilled Worker visa, whether for changing employers or updating personal details, usually takes up to 8 weeks for applications submitted from within the UK. For applications made from outside the UK, the standard processing time is typically around 3 weeks.

Managing Notice Periods and Avoiding Gaps

When changing employers on a Skilled Worker visa, careful timing is essential. You can continue working for your current employer while your new visa application is processed, and applications can be submitted up to three months before your new CoS start date.

Changing jobs generally does not affect continuous residence for Indefinite Leave to Remain, as long as you do not overstay. To avoid gaps in lawful employment, align your visa approval date, notice period, and official start date with the new employer carefully.

What Happens to Your Dependants?

Dependants on your Skilled Worker visa, such as your partner or children, do not automatically need to reapply when you change jobs.

However:

• If their visas are nearing expiry, they should extend at the same time as you.
• If your visa application is refused, their right to remain in the UK will also be affected.

In short, their status is fully dependent on your continued sponsored visa.

Can You Start Your New Job Before Approval?

No. The rules are very clear: if you require permission to change employer or role, you must wait for formal approval from UK Visas and Immigration before starting your new job.

UKVI operates under the authority of the UK Visas and Immigration, and beginning work before approval can be considered a breach of immigration conditions.

You are allowed to continue working in your current sponsored role while your new application is being processed. This is why applying early, ideally up to three months before your start date, is strongly advised.

Three Major Pitfalls to Avoid When Updating Your Skilled Worker Visa

1. Starting Work Too Early

You must wait for formal approval before beginning your new role. Starting early breaches immigration rules and can lead to visa curtailment.

2. Travelling While Your Application Is Pending

Leaving the UK, Ireland, or the Channel Islands during processing is usually treated as withdrawing your application. This can result in losing your application fee and having to reapply from scratch.

3. Using the Wrong Occupation Code

Ensure your occupation code accurately reflects your actual job duties. Selecting a code based on salary or convenience can lead to refusal, as the authorities check that your responsibilities match the chosen code.

If You Lose Your Sponsored Job

If your Skilled Worker employment ends, your employer must notify UKVI, and your visa is usually curtailed, giving you 60 days to either leave the UK or apply for a new visa.

During this period, you can:

• Find a new Skilled Worker sponsor and apply from within the UK
• Switch to another visa category (e.g., family visa) if eligible
• Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if you meet the qualifying residence requirements

Submitting a valid application before your curtailed leave expires allows you to remain in the UK while it is processed.

Why Choose Vanguard Solicitors?

At Vanguard Solicitors, we understand that immigration is not just paperwork; it is your career, your stability, and your future in the UK.

We provide:

• Clear advice on whether you need to update your Skilled Worker visa
• Salary and occupation code assessments
• Full application preparation and submission
• Urgent priority service applications
• Strategic planning toward Indefinite Leave to Remain

Need Help Updating Your Skilled Worker Visa?

For tailored legal advice on updating your Skilled Worker visa, contact Vanguard Solicitors today at 0208 616 5535 or email info@vanguardlaw.co.uk. Our immigration team is ready to guide you through the process with clarity, accuracy, and confidence.