Updating Your Job Role on a Skilled Worker Visa: When a New Application Is Required

Table Of Contents

1. When is a new application required to update your job role on a Skilled Worker visa
2. When you change your employer
3. When you change your job role (Different Occupation Code)
4. When you leave a job on the Immigration Shortage List
5. When you take a second sponsored job that is more than 20 paid hours a week
6. When to apply to update your visa
7. When you may not need a new application
8. Summary

If you are working in the UK under the Skilled Worker route, your visa is tied to a specific job, employer/sponsor, and occupation code. This means that not all job role changes are automatically allowed.

Importantly, you need to understand when you need to submit a new visa application to remain compliant with the UK Immigration Rules.

Updating job role on a Skilled Worker visa is required if you want to change your job role and your new job role is with a different employer/sponsor, your job role changes to a different occupation code, and you are not in a graduate training programme (a structured training scheme designed for recent graduates), or you leave a job that appears on the ISL (Immigration Salary List) for a job that is not on the ISL.

You do not need to apply again for a Skilled Worker visa if you stay in the same job, but your job is taken off the ISL.

When is a new application required to update your job role on a Skilled Worker visa?

You can change jobs on a UK Skilled Worker visa, but many changes require you to get Home Office approval before you start work.

You must receive a new CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship), and a new visa application for updating job role on a Skilled Worker visa is required if you move to a new employer, change occupation code (also called a SOC code), leave the job on ISL, or take a second sponsored job that is more than 20 paid hours a week.

1. When you change your employer

If you change your employer, you cannot continue working in the UK on your existing Skilled Worker visa. In such a situation, your new employer must be a licensed sponsor, they must issue a new CoS to you, and you must submit a fresh visa application before you start the new role.

2. When you change your job role (Different Occupation Code)

If you will be doing a different job role for your current employer in the UK, you only need to apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if your new job is in a different occupation code. 

Since occupation codes are based on job duties rather than job titles, even a promotion or internal move may require you to make a new application.

On the other hand, if your new occupation code is listed as a ‘medium-skilled’ job (roles that require skills equivalent to RQF Level 3 (A-level standard) – RQF Level 5), you can update your Skilled Worker visa if both of the following apply:

• You got your CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) for your first UK Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 

• You have continually held one or more valid Skilled Worker visas since then

3. When you leave a job on the Immigration Shortage List

You must apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if you are changing your job that is on ISL to a job that is not on ISL. This is required because if your old job appeared on the ISL and the new one does not, you must meet standard salary rules.

If your new role does not meet the required salary threshold or falls below the job’s “going rate,” you will need to make a new application, and approval may be refused if requirements are not met.

4. When you take a second sponsored job that is more than 20 paid hours a week

Updating job role on a Skilled Worker visa is required if you take on a second job that is more than 20 paid hours a week in addition to the job you are being sponsored for.

Your second job must meet the relevant eligibility requirements, and you will need a new CoS to prove this.

If the occupation code of your second job is listed as ‘medium-skilled’, you can add it if:

• You obtained your CoS for your first UK Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025; and 

• You have continually held one or more valid Skilled Worker visas since then

You will also have to include a letter with your application explaining to the Home Office that you want to change your current permission to stay (your current immigration status).

If your application is successful, you will receive a new visa giving you permission to do both jobs.

When to apply to update your visa?

You can apply to update your Skilled Worker visa no more than 3 months before your new job’s start date.

You can continue working in your current job role while your new application is under process, or to work out your notice period – as long as you apply to update your visa before your current visa expires.

You should not start your new job until you have received confirmation of your new permission.

You must not go outside of the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands until you get a decision. Your new application will be withdrawn if you do.

When you may not need a new application?

You may be able to continue on your current Skilled Worker visa, and updating job role on a Skilled Worker visa would not be required if:

• You stay with the same employer, same job, and higher salary; and 

• Changes in your job title are minor provided you remain in the same occupation code and core duties remain the same; and

• You stay with the same employer, but you are moved to a new office location

If your contract moves to a new owner under TUPE protection (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)), you typically do not need a new visa immediately.

However, your employer must still report changes to the Home Office where required.

Summary

Updating your job role on a Skilled Worker visa is fully possible, but you and your employer need more administrative effort than just a standard job change. Importantly, you need to understand when to make a new application and should wait for the Home Office’s approval before starting the new job. By doing so, you can progress your career without putting your right to live in the UK at risk.

Failing to apply for a new visa when necessary can lead to serious consequences. For example, your visa may be curtailed, you could be considered in breach of immigration conditions, or your future applications, including settlement, may be affected.

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