Can I Switch from a Graduate to a Skilled Worker Visa?

For many international graduates in the UK, the Graduate visa provides valuable flexibility to gain work experience and establish a career after completing their studies. However, as the Graduate visa is a temporary route and does not lead directly to settlement, many graduates eventually consider switching to a Skilled Worker visa as a longer-term immigration solution.

What Is a Graduate Visa?

The Graduate visa allows international students who have successfully completed an eligible UK qualification to remain in the UK for:

· 2 years following completion of a bachelor's or master's degree; or

· 3 years following completion of a PhD or doctoral qualification.

The route is unsponsored, meaning that visa holders can work for any employer, change jobs freely, and do not need a sponsoring organisation. However, the Graduate visa cannot be extended and does not provide a direct route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

As a result, graduates wishing to remain in the UK beyond the expiry of their Graduate visa often explore switching into the Skilled Worker route

Can a Graduate Switch to the Skilled Worker Visa route?

The good news is that, in most cases, it is possible to switch from a Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK, provided the relevant eligibility requirements are met. However, we often see challenges faced by Graduates in finding skilled work and Employers in continuing to hire migrant workers.

The constant Immigration rules changes and increased costs is the driving force in deterring most Employers in hiring migrant workers.

Employers often find themselves training employees on Graduate visas only to struggle in continuing to hire migrant workers with the increased costs associated with the sponsor licence such as the Certificate of Sponsorship fee and the Immigration Skilled Charge fee, which the employer is responsible for paying.

Can a Graduate visa be extended?

The Graduate Visa cannot be extended and therefore the individual must secure a Skilled Worker visa within a two-year period, or three years for PHD.

Do Employers require a Sponsor licence to hire a Graduate Visa holder?

UK employers do not need a Sponsorship Licence to hire Graduate Visa holder.

However, if the employer wishes to retain the employee on an eligible SOC code, pay the correct salary, they must successfully obtain a Sponsor License and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the migrant worker under the Skilled Worker route before the Graduate Visa comes to an end.

Upcoming Key changes to the Graduate Visa Route?

Graduates who apply on or before 31 December 2026 can continue to receive permission for 2 years following successful completion of an eligible qualification, or 3 years for doctoral graduates.

From 1 January 2027, the standard Graduate permission period will reduce to 18 months.