If you hold a Skilled Worker Visa UK and plan to change roles, you cannot ignore your visa. In all cases, you must update your visa if you change your job or employer before you start the new role. This guide explains when you must update, when you do not, how the process works, and what can go wrong.
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Skilled Worker Visa UK: When You Must Update Your Visa
You must normally update your Skilled Worker visa when there is a significant change in your sponsored work. The Home Office gives clear triggers for this.
You Must Update Your Visa if:
- You move to a new employer with a different sponsor licence.
- You change to a job with a different occupation code that is not part of a graduate training scheme.
- You move from a role on the Immigration Salary List (or former shortage list) to a role that is not on that list.
- You add a second sponsored job that is more than 20 hours a week.
In each of these cases, you need:
- A new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- A new Skilled Worker visa application that the Home Office approves before you start the new job.
If you fail to do this, you risk breaching your conditions and damaging your immigration history.
When You Do Not Usually Need to Update Your Visa
You do not always need a new application. Sometimes your sponsor only needs to report the change through the sponsor management system. You usually do not need to update your visa if:
- You stay with the same employer, in the same occupation code, and your core duties stay similar.
- Your job title changes but your occupation code and duties remain broadly the same.
- Your salary increases and still meets the required salary threshold and the going rate.
- You move to a new work location for the same employer, and your role and salary remain compliant.
However, your sponsor still has reporting duties. They must update your work location, salary, and other key details inside their sponsor system. If your employer does not report these changes, both you and your sponsor may face compliance risk.
Quick Decision Table: Do You Need to Update Your Visa?
Use this as a starting point, then take advice if anything feels unclear.
| Scenario | Update visa? | Notes |
| Move to a new employer | Yes | New CoS and full Skilled Worker application needed. |
| New role with different occupation code | Yes | Unless part of a defined graduate training programme. |
| Move from Immigration Salary List role to non-list role | Yes | Salary and role will be reassessed under current rules. |
| Same employer, same occupation code, higher salary | No (usually) | Sponsor must still report the change. |
| Same employer, same code, minor title change | No (usually) | Duties must stay broadly aligned with the original role. |
| Second sponsored job over 20 hours per week | Yes | Need new CoS and variation of leave. |
| Same employer, new office location only | No (usually) | Sponsor reports new location. |
| Internal promotion to different occupation code | Yes | New application required before starting the promoted role. |
This table is simplified. The live Immigration Rules and guidance always take priority at the time of decision.
Key Legal Rules When You Change Job on a Skilled Worker Visa
When you update your visa, the Home Office reassesses your eligibility. They do not simply copy your old approval.
1. Salary Thresholds and Going Rate
Your new job must still meet:
- The general salary threshold in Appendix Skilled Worker.
- The going rate for the occupation code, after any permitted discounts.
Recent changes have raised many salary thresholds. For example, the main cash floor and several tradeable points bands increased in July 2025. Therefore, you cannot rely on the salary that worked for your last grant. You must check the salary tables that apply when you apply to update your visa.
2. Sponsor Licence and Occupation Code
Your new employer must:
- Hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
- Offer a job in an eligible occupation code.
The occupation code must match the actual job duties. If the code is wrong or too generous, the application can fail.
3. Continuous Residence and ILR
Changing employers does not usually reset your five-year clock for settlement. However, you must:
- Stay under Skilled Worker or another qualifying route for the whole period.
- Avoid long gaps between roles.
If a refusal breaks your permission, your ILR timeline may suffer.
When to Update Your Visa if You Change Job or Employer
You must update your Skilled Worker visa if you move to a new employer, change to a different occupation code, move off the Immigration Salary List, or take a second sponsored job over 20 hours per week. If any of these apply, you should plan your next steps early. Do not resign or accept a start date until you understand the visa impact.
How to Update Your Skilled Worker Visa When You Change Job
The process is similar to a standard Skilled Worker application. However, timing and planning matter more because you are already in the UK.
Step 1: Check if a New Application is Required
First, confirm whether your change triggers a new visa application.
- Compare your current and proposed occupation codes.
- Check if the role stays on the Immigration Salary List.
- Review your new salary against the current threshold and going rate.
If there is any doubt, seek professional advice.
Step 2: Confirm Your New Employer Can Sponsor You
Your new employer must:
- Hold a live Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
- Understand sponsor duties and reporting rules.
If they do not hold a licence, they must apply first. That process can take weeks or months, so factor this into your timing.
Step 3: Receive a New Certificate of Sponsorship
Once the employer is ready, they will:
- Assign a new CoS for your role.
- Confirm salary, hours, work locations, and occupation code on the CoS.
You should check the CoS details carefully before you apply. Errors on the CoS can cause refusal or delays.
Step 4: Apply Online to Update Your Visa
You apply using the online Skilled Worker form as an in-country applicant.
Typically, you will:
- Complete the form with your new CoS details.
- Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Upload supporting documents through the portal.
- Book and attend a UKVCAS biometric appointment, unless the system reuses your biometrics.
You must not travel outside the Common Travel Area while the application is pending.
Step 5: Wait for a Decision and Manage Your Start Date
Standard in-country Skilled Worker applications often take up to eight weeks. You may have the option to:
- Purchase priority processing for a faster decision.
- Sometimes purchase super priority for a next working day decision.
You can usually keep working for your current sponsor while you wait. However, you must not start work with the new employer until you receive approval. Starting early counts as an immigration breach and can harm both you and the sponsor.
Documents You Usually Need
Document lists vary, but you should expect to provide:
- Your current passport.
- Your BRP or digital status details.
- The new Certificate of Sponsorship number.
- Evidence of salary, such as an offer letter or contract.
- Proof of English, if the system requires it again in your case.
- Evidence that you can support yourself, if requested.
In addition, you may need extra documents if:
- Your job uses tradeable points based on qualifications or new entrant status.
- You rely on Immigration Salary List concessions.
Timelines, Fees and Planning Points For Changing Jobs or Employer
Typical timelines
- Standard in-country update: often up to eight weeks.
- Priority service: target decision within five working days, where available.
- Super priority: target decision by the next working day, where offered.
Processing times can vary. Home Office backlogs and security checks sometimes cause delays.
Typical Costs
For many Skilled Worker applicants, changing employer involves:
- A visa fee for each applicant, which varies by length.
- The Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of the new grant.
- The employer’s Immigration Skills Charge and CoS fee.
You should also budget for:
- Priority or super priority fees, if you need speed.
- Professional fees if you use a solicitor.
Because government fees have risen sharply since 2023, always check the latest amounts before you apply.
Common Risks and Mistakes When Changing Employer
Changing jobs while on a Skilled Worker visa can feel simple. However, several errors appear again and again.
1. Starting Work Before Your New Visa is Granted
Some employers ask you to start once you submit your application. That is a serious mistake. You must wait for approval before you do any work for the new sponsor.
2. Incorrect or Stretched Occupation Codes
Sometimes employers pick a code because it fits the salary, not the real role. The Home Office compares your duties with the code description. If the code and duties do not align, the application can fail.
3. Salary Below the Current Rules
Your salary must meet:
- The current salary threshold for Skilled Worker.
- The updated going rate for the occupation.
Recent rule changes increased several salary bands in 2025. So a salary that once worked may now fall short.
4. Gaps that Affect Settlement
If you resign early and a refusal or delay follows, you may lose lawful status. That can:
- Break your continuous residence.
- Force you to leave the UK and reapply from abroad.
Careful sequencing of resignation, application, and start dates reduces this risk.
5. Sponsor Compliance Problems
If your new sponsor has poor compliance, your visa may be at risk. If the Home Office revokes their licence, your permission can be shortened. You would then need to find a new sponsor or leave the UK.
What Happens to Your Dependants When You Update Your Visa
Your dependents do not automatically change status when you change jobs or employer.
Key points:
- Their visas remain valid until their current expiry date.
- They can usually stay in the UK while your application is processed.
- They may need to extend or vary their visas so their end date matches your new grant.
In many cases, dependents apply at the same time as you. However, they can also apply later, before their own visas end. If you are close to settlement, your dependents should check how the timing affects their own ILR plans.
Practical Examples of a Job Change or Employer Change
Example 1: New employer, higher salary
A software engineer moves from one tech company to another. The new job uses the same occupation code but offers a higher salary.
- The new employer has a sponsor licence.
- Salary meets the updated threshold and going rate.
- She applies to update her visa before her start date.
She must wait for approval before starting with the new employer.
Example 2: Internal promotion into a different occupation code
A care home worker moves into a management role in the same group. The new role uses a different occupation code and a higher salary.
- The employer assigns a new CoS with the management code.
- The worker applies to update their Skilled Worker visa.
They cannot start the management role until the new visa is granted.
Example 3: Side Job for More than 20 Hours
An engineer wants a second sponsored role for 25 hours per week.
- He already works full time in a sponsored role.
- The second role also qualifies under Skilled Worker.
He must apply to update his visa to add the second job.
FAQs on Changing Jobs or Employer on a Skilled Worker Visa UK
Do I Always Need a New Visa if I Change Job?
No. You need a new application only when your change meets certain triggers, such as a new employer or a different occupation code.
Can I Change Employer on a Skilled Worker Visa UK?
Yes, you can change employers. However, you need a new CoS and a new Skilled Worker application that the Home Office approves before you start.
Can I Work for My New Employer While the Application is Pending?
No. You can usually work for your current sponsor during processing, including any notice period. You must not start with the new sponsor until your updated visa is granted.
What if My New Salary is Lower than Before?
A lower salary can cause problems. Your new pay must still meet the current Skilled Worker threshold and the going rate for your occupation code. If it does not, the application is likely to fail.
Will Changing Employers Affect My ILR Eligibility?
Changing employers does not usually reset your five-year clock. However, any break in permission, or a move to a non-qualifying route, can disrupt your ILR plan. You should plan carefully if you are close to the five-year point.
How Can A Y & J Solicitors Help
Changing jobs should be a positive step in your career. However, a poorly planned move can risk your immigration status. A specialist UK immigration firm can:
- Check whether you need to update your visa if you change your job or employer.
- Confirm that the new occupation code and salary meet the Skilled Worker Visa UK rules.
- Plan the timing of your application, notice period, and start date.
- Prepare and submit a strong application with clear supporting evidence.
- Advise on dependent visas and long-term ILR strategy.
If you are considering a move, it is wise to take advice before you resign or accept a new contract. That way you protect both your career and your long-term right to live and work in the UK.
Reach out to us at contact@ayjsolicitors.com or call us on +44 20 7404 7933. You can also book a call directly with our experts.
