Switching Visas in the UK – From Graduate to Skilled Worker or Spouse Route

Thinking About Switching Your Visa in 2025?

If you’re already in the UK on a visa — such as a Graduate, Student, or Temporary Worker visa — you might not need to leave the country to change your status.

The Home Office allows in-country visa switching for many categories, provided you meet eligibility rules.
This flexibility means you can move from study to work, from temporary to permanent, or from individual to family routes without starting over abroad.

At AHJ Immigration, we regularly help clients make these transitions smoothly, ensuring their next visa fits their goals — career, family, or settlement.

Who Can Switch Visas Inside the UK?

Not every visa type can be switched, but most major categories are eligible.

You can usually switch if you currently hold:

• Graduate Visa
• Skilled Worker Visa
• Student Visa (meeting specific criteria)
• Spouse or Partner Visa
• Temporary Worker (certain routes)
• Dependant Visa

You cannot switch from:

• Visitor Visa
• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Short-term Student Visa
• Domestic Worker in Private Household Visa

If you’re on one of these, you must leave the UK and apply from your home country.

Switching from Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker

One of the most common transitions in 2025 is Graduate → Skilled Worker.

After completing a UK degree, many international graduates secure a job with a sponsoring employer.
If your employer holds a Sponsor Licence and issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), you can switch directly into the Skilled Worker route without leaving the UK.

Requirements

• Valid Graduate Visa at time of application
• Job offer from a licensed sponsor
• Role listed on the Home Office’s eligible occupation list
• Salary meeting the 2025 Skilled Worker threshold (£38,700 or the going rate)

(Internal link suggestion: “Skilled Worker Salary Thresholds 2025 – New Rates and Occupations.”)

Process

1. Obtain a valid CoS from your employer.
2. Apply online for the Skilled Worker visa.
3. Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
4. Attend your biometrics appointment or use the UK Immigration ID app.
5. Wait for a decision (typically 8 weeks).

Switching before your Graduate Visa expires ensures continuous lawful stay and smooth transition to settlement.

Switching from Graduate Visa to Spouse or Partner Visa

If you’ve married or entered a civil partnership with a British citizen or someone settled in the UK, you can apply to switch to a Spouse Visa without leaving the country.

Key Requirements

• Genuine and subsisting relationship with your British or settled partner.
• Financial requirement: combined income of at least £29,000 (as of 2025).
• Suitable accommodation in the UK.
• English language ability at A1 CEFR level or above.

Spouse Visas are granted for 2 years and 9 months, and after 5 years you may qualify for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Switching from Student to Skilled Worker

Students can switch before completing their studies only in limited cases.
In 2025, the rule remains that you must have completed your course (or be within 3 months of completion) before switching.

Common Pathway

1. Finish your degree → apply for Graduate Visa.
2. Find employment with a licensed sponsor.
3. Switch from Graduate to Skilled Worker.

This two-step approach remains the safest and most compliant route for most international students.

Switching from Skilled Worker to Spouse or Family Route

If you marry or form a relationship with a British citizen or ILR holder, you can leave the Skilled Worker route and switch to the Family route.

This is often beneficial if:

• You plan to settle permanently in the UK with your partner.
• You no longer wish to be tied to your employer’s sponsorship.

When switching, your new 5-year “clock” toward ILR begins under the Spouse Visa, but you’ll no longer be dependent on your employer.

Key Rules for Switching Inside the UK

1. Continuous Residence

Your application must be made before your current visa expires — no gaps.

2. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

You must pay the IHS each time you switch routes, even if previously paid under a different category.

3. Work and Study Permissions

Your right to work or study changes once the new visa is granted, not before.

4. Dependants

Dependants can usually switch at the same time as the main applicant.

5. No Travel During Processing

Travelling abroad before a decision is made automatically withdraws your application.

How Long Does Switching Take in 2025?

Most in-country visa switches take 8–10 weeks under standard service.
Priority processing (5 working days) may be available for an additional fee.

Once approved, you’ll receive your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa confirming your new immigration category.

Common Mistakes When Switching

1. Applying too early or too late — Timing matters; always check visa expiry.
2. Wrong document uploads — Each visa route has unique evidence requirements.
3. Salary miscalculations — Especially under Skilled Worker thresholds.
4. Unmet financial requirements — Couples often miscalculate income proof.
5. Assuming permission continues automatically — Rights change immediately upon decision.

Priya’s Graduate to Skilled Worker Switch

Priya completed her MSc in 2024 and was on a Graduate Visa.
She received a job offer from a London tech company with a sponsor licence.
With AHJ Immigration’s help, her employer assigned a Defined CoS, and her Skilled Worker switch was approved within 6 weeks.

Planning early avoided a last-minute panic — and ensured her continuous residence for ILR eligibility.

How AHJ Immigration Can Help

Switching visas can feel overwhelming, especially with new salary and sponsorship rules in 2025.
At AHJ Immigration, we support individuals and employers through every stage.

We provide:

• Visa switch eligibility checks and strategy planning
• Document review and application completion
• Employer sponsorship support
• Priority service requests and compliance advice

Free 30-Minute Case Assessment — Find Out Which Visa Switch Is Right for You.

Our advisers will confirm your eligibility, prepare your application, and ensure you stay compliant every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I switch visas inside the UK without leaving the country?
Yes, if your current visa allows switching. Visitor and Seasonal routes do not.

2. Can I switch from Graduate to Skilled Worker in 2025?
Yes — once you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor meeting salary and role criteria.

3. How long does a visa switch take?
Usually 8–10 weeks under standard service or 5 working days under priority service.

4. Can I switch from Skilled Worker to Spouse Visa?
Yes, if you meet relationship and financial requirements.

5. Do I need to take a new English test when switching?
Depends on the route — some tests (like B1 or A1) can be reused if still valid.

Switching visas is a major step — and with new 2025 rules, getting it right matters more than ever.

Free 30-Minute Case Assessment — Find Out Which Visa Switch Is Right for You.

We’ll review your goals, eligibility, and documents to ensure your next visa move keeps you legal, settled, and future-ready.