Skilled Worker Visas

Please take a look at the relevant guidance document below for Skilled Worker Visa applicants.

Skilled Worker Visa - Applying Outside of UK - Applicant Guidance 

Skilled Worker Visa - Applying within UK - Applicant Guidance 

You may be able to apply to switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you are already in the UK on a different type of visa. 

You cannot switch if you are currently in the UK: 

• as a Visitor

• as a Student, unless you meet the additional rules for people switching from the Student route

• as a Short-term student

• as a Parent of a Child Student

• as a Seasonal Worker

• as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household

• outside the Immigration Rules

In these instances you must leave the UK and apply for a Skilled Worker from overseas. 

You and your role need to meet the eligibility criteria in order to switch to a Skilled Worker visa. 

You may be required to evidence your knowledge of English as part of the Skilled Worker visa application and there are various ways to demonstrate this, depending on your circumstances.  Please refer to our Skilled Worker - English Language Requirement Flowchart to help you determine how you would evidence your knowledge of the English language. 

Further information about job eligibility can be found on the Gov.uk website.

Student Visa Holders

From 17 July 2023, Student visa holders applying for this visa route must meet one of the following conditions on the date they make their application to be allowed to switch:

• they must have completed the course of study for which they were being sponsored as a Student
• they must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance, and the start date on their CoS must be no earlier than the course completion date
• they must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance, and the start date on their CoS must be no earlier than 24 months after the start date of their PhD

You can apply to extend a Skilled Worker visa or Tier 2 (General) visa if:

• you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
• your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
• you are still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship

Tier 2 (General) visa holders may need to meet different eligibility criteria.  Please see the Gov.uk website for more information on this.

There is no longer a limit on the amount of time that you can hold a Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker visa therefore you can continue to extend as many times as you wish, providing you are still in employment with us as your sponsor. 

The Skilled Worker visa is a route to settlement.  Further information on the eligibility criteria for settlement as a Skilled Worker can be found on the Gov.uk website. 

The earliest you can apply to extend your Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) visa is 3 months prior to your current visa end date.  If your employment is due to continue your HR Advisor will be in touch around this time to check what your plans are with regards to obtaining further leave to remain in the UK.  

Current employees

If you move to another role within the University of Huddersfield you will need to apply to update your visa if your job changes to a different occupation code for example, when moving from a Research role to a Lecturer role. 

You will not be able to commence your new role until you have received the outcome from your visa application and a right to work check has been undertaken. 

If you move to another role within the University of Huddersfield which sits within the same occupation code you will not need to apply for a new visa but we will be required to check that you still meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship in your new role.   

New employees sponsored elsewhere

If you currently hold a Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) visa with another employer and are offered a role at the University of Huddersfield you will need to apply to update your Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) visa. 

Eligibility for sponsorship from the University of Huddersfield will be determined once interviews have taken place and a preferred candidate is identified. 

Further information about changing jobs or employers can be found on the Gov.uk website.