It is easier to switch from the Student visa to the Skilled Worker visa. Here is why: <ul><li>More employers are willing to sponsor international students, who can switch to the Skilled Worker visa in the UK directly from their Student visa once their courses are complete. This is because, in this case, your sponsor is exempt from paying the Immigration Skills Charge, which is currently £1000 per year for a large employer, shortly to be increased to £1320 per year. Your employer will save at least £5000, compared to employing someone who switches from a different visa or applies from outside the UK.</li><li>Switching from a Student visa qualifies you for a salary discount for up to 4 years, during which your salary will increase, and you will qualify for a Skilled Worker visa extension more easily. That's why it's important to start applying for visa-sponsored graduate jobs ONE YEAR before your course end date, so that you can switch to the Skilled Worker visa and start working as soon as your course finishes.</li></ul>

It is easier to switch from the Student visa to the Skilled Worker visa

There were 183,000 work visas granted to main applicants in all work categories in the year ending June 2025, 36% fewer than the year ending June 2024, but 33% more than in 2019. There were 21,000 ‘Health and Care Worker’ visas granted to main applicants in the year ending June 2025. The number of ‘Health and Care Worker’ visas issued to migrant workers in a Caring Personal Service occupation fell by 88% to 7,378; nursing professionals fell by 80% to 3,080 in the year ending June 2025.

Latest Home Office Work Visa Stats - June 2025

UK Visa Jobs is a job search platform dedicated to people who need visa sponsorship to work in the UK. You can apply for graduate and experienced hire jobs from different industries.

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