Table Of Contents
- Update skilled worker visa – what does it mean
- When to update the skilled worker visa
- How to update a skilled worker visa after changing jobs
- Summary
You are required to apply to update your Skilled Worker visa or the former Tier 2 (General) work visa if you want to change your job which will be with a different employer/sponsor, your job changes to a different occupation code (formerly called SOC codes) and you are not in a graduate training programme (this is a structured programme designed to help recent university graduates gain practical work experience, professional skills, and industry knowledge while working for an employer), or you leave a job that appears on the ISL (Immigration Salary List) for a job that does not appear on this list. You are not required to apply again if you stay in the same job, but the job is taken off the ISL.
Update skilled worker visa – what does it mean?
Applying to update your Skilled Worker visa means that you must apply to the UK Home Office to change the details of the permission of your existing Skilled Worker visa because your employment circumstances have changed.
You need to update your Skilled Worker visa when there is a significant change to the job or sponsorship on which your visa was originally granted.
When to update the skilled worker visa?
Common circumstances where you will need to update your Skilled Worker visa include:
• Changing jobs with a new employer/sponsor.
• If you are changing jobs with the same employer, you only need to update your visa if your new job has a different occupation code. If your new occupation code is listed as ‘medium skilled (RQF level 3-5 or below graduate)’, you can update your visa if:
• You received your CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) for your first Skilled Worker or Tier 2 visa before 22 July 2025; and
• You have continually held one Skilled Worker visa or more since then
• You take on a second job in addition to the job you are being sponsored for, and the second job is more than 20 paid hours a week.
How to update a skilled worker visa after changing jobs?
In order to update your skilled worker visa after changing jobs, your new job has to meet the eligibility requirements, and you will need to have a new CoS to prove this. You will need to supply the supporting documents, apply within the permitted time limit, and prove your identity.
After that, you will have to wait for a decision from the Home Office.
1. Your new job has to meet the eligibility requirements
Before finding out if your new job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code.
If you have already received a job offer, you should ask your new Home Office-approved sponsor/employer for your 4-digit occupation code. Your employer must be an approved sponsor. If they are not, they first need to apply for and obtain a sponsor licence.
Once you know your occupation code, you can view the table of eligible jobs to see if it is included, but if you do not know your 4-digit occupation code you can search for your job in the CASCOT occupation coding tool.
Importantly, not every job title is included in the eligible job table. If you cannot find your exact job title, you should try searching for similar jobs.
From 22 July 2025, the standard salary requirements for a fresh skilled worker visa have increased to £41,700 per year (up from £38,700 per year) or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you will be doing – whichever is higher. You can check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.
But you may be able to meet lower salary requirements if you are updating your skilled worker visa after changing jobs, where:
• You received your CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) for your first Skilled Worker or Tier 2 visa before 4 April 2024
• You have continually had one Skilled Worker visa or more since then
You are only required to provide evidence again if you have been in the UK for less than 12 months.
2. Supply the supporting documents
When you apply to update your Skilled Worker visa after changing jobs, you will need to provide the following common documents:
• Your CoS reference number – you can get this from your employer
• Evidence of English language ability (if requested)
• a valid passport or other document showing your identity and nationality
• your job’s title and annual salary
• your job’s 4-digit occupation code
• Your employer’s and their sponsor licence number – you can see this on your certificate of sponsorship
• Criminal record certificate (if applicable)
3. Apply within the permitted time limit
You can apply to update your Skilled Worker visa up to 3 months before your new job’s start date. You should not start the new job until you have received confirmation of your new permission.
You must apply online.
4. Pay the application fee
When applying to update your Skilled Worker visa, the standard fee depends on the length of period you will be in the UK for:
• If you will be for up to 3 years – £943 per person
• If you will be for more than 3 years – £1,865 per person
5. Prove your identity
You will be required to prove your identity when you apply to update your visa. Depending on where you are from and the type of passport you have, you can prove your identity by either using the app ‘UK Immigration: ID Check,’ where you need to scan your identity document, or have your biometric information (fingerprints and photo) taken at a UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) service point in the UK.
6. Wait for a decision
You should usually get a decision on your application to update your visa within 8 weeks of your application date.
However, it may take longer because, for example, the Home Office needs to verify your supporting documents or you need to attend an interview.
After you have submitted your application, you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until a decision on your application has been made. Leaving the CTA (Common Travel Area) during this period may result in your application being treated as withdrawn.
Summary
You must apply to update your Skilled Worker visa if you are changing to a new employer, your job changes to a different occupation code, you move from a job title on the ISL to a title that is not on the list, or you take on a second sponsored job, which will be for more than 20 hours per week in addition to your main sponsored role.
For updating your visa after changing jobs, you will need to get a new CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship), ensure your new job meets the eligibility requirements, collect the required documents, apply online, pay the application fee, and prove your identity.
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