Introduction

Are you a student looking to transition from a student to a work visa & planning to transform your education into a successful career?

It's a big step and can be intimidating. But don't worry! 

With careful planning and the right support, you can easily switch from a student to a work visa. 

In this blog, we'll walk you through how to switch from a student to a UK skilled worker visa, from preparing your documents to submitting your visa application. 

Read on to learn how to leap from student to work visa!

How Can I Switch from Student To A Work Visa?

To be eligible for a Tier 2 (General) visa, you must have completed a UK higher education course at an approved educational institution. You will also need to have worked in the role for which you are seeking the uk job visa for at least three months before making the switch.

Students will also need a job offer from an approved employer in the UK and meet the requirements for the job role. This includes having the appropriate qualifications for the role and demonstrating that you have the necessary skills and experience.

In addition, you must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer. This is a unique reference number that your employer will provide, stating the details of your job offer and the salary you will receive.

Your employer must also show that they comply with the relevant Home Office regulations and have a valid Tier 2 sponsorship license.

For the switch to be approved, you will also need to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself and any dependents. This means you must have sufficient funds to cover your living costs for at least three months.

The above criteria must all be met for approval to switch from the Tier 4 student visa into the Tier 2 (General) visa. Once your UK visa application has been approved, you will receive a decision letter confirming the outcome.

Qualification Required To Switch From A Student To A Work Visa

A Curriculum is a set of educational materials and activities a student must complete to gain certain qualifications. A study course can be taken at a school, college, or university or through an online or distance-learning program.

In the case of a Tier 2 visa, the course study must be approved by the UK's Home Office and meet certain requirements. In addition to completing the course, students must have a tier 4 sponsor ( licensed) to be eligible for the India visa UK.

Eligible courses of study for a Tier 2 visa include UK bachelor's degrees, UK master's degrees, postgraduate certificates in education, and professional graduate diplomas. The course must also be completed within three months of applying for the visa and must be completed at an accredited institution.

When a student completes their studies, they will receive a certificate of completion from their institution, which will be necessary for them to apply for a Tier 2 general work visa UK and for their tier 4 sponsor to be approved. 

Once the visa is approved, the student can begin their new life in the UK!

Applying To Switch Student To A Work Visa

The students have encountered an issue when transitioning to a UK work visa, as it may take approx two months to finish the application UK visa process. Being able to submit a UK visa application only after receiving their results may cause it to be too late. 

Fortunately, the Home Office amended the regulations in early 2019, permitting students basically to apply 3 months prior to their study course ends.

Employers have the advantage of saving time and money, as the guidance of the Home, office states that an (RLMT) Resident Labour Market Test is not necessary for international students who have obtained, or are applying for, leave to remain up to three months prior to the projected course's completion date. This is particularly advantageous to employers, as it cuts time and money.

To apply, you'll need a job offer from a licensed Tier 2 sponsor who can request a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The Home Office guidance states that if you were last granted leave as a partner of a Tier 4 migrant (student), you must apply for a restricted CoS. You won't be able to start working until your course is finished.

You need to submit, as part of the application, either a certificate of your degree, transcript of your academic, or reference on the paper headed of the educational institution, demonstrating the following:

• Your name, 
• The title and award of the course, 
• And the duration of the course (unless it is a certificate degree) must be included,
• Additionally, either the date of completion or the date to be expected of completion,
• Confirm that you have studied for a minimum of 12 months if you’re pursuing a Ph.D. 

Visit the Home Office website to determine if a certificate from the (ATAS) Academic Technology Approval Scheme is required when applying for a Ph.D. program. It is highly recommended to do this before submitting your UK visa application.

Application Fee

The fee for submitting a request for a visa will depend on the applicant, the nation in which the application is being submitted, the duration of the England work visa, and whether the role is in an occupation with a shortage of workers.

You will also need to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) to gain access to the United Kingdom's National Health Service.

Finally, to obtain your biometric residence permit (BRP), you must register biometric information including your photo and fingerprints at a UKVCAS office, which costs £19.20. The application fees vary between £409 to £1,408.

Take Professional Advice!

In conclusion, if you are still in doubt about changing from a student to a work visa, it is advisable to get advice from UK visa consultants - Work Permitz, experts in the field. 

We can guide you through the process and ensure you have all the necessary documents and information to make a successful transition. 

Please don't wait any longer, and get in touch with us now!