Skilled Worker Visa in-country applications - change of employment FAQs

To enable you to apply for a new Skilled Worker Visa, the University has assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to you.

You must:

  • already hold a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker Visa; and either
  • be currently working for a different employer; or 
  • be currently employed by the University of Cambridge but moving to a new role in a different SOC Code.

Please see the guidance below regarding the visa application process.

You must apply before your current visa expires, but there are no restrictions beyond this.

Please also see the section below on “When can I start work”?

No. As you already hold a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker Visa, you are exempt from meeting these requirements for this application.

Your new Skilled Worker Visa must have been granted, and your department must carry out an online right to work check, before you can start work in your new role.

If you are employed by the University of Cambridge, you can continue working in the role for which you were previous sponsored until the new Skilled Worker Visa application is granted.

If you are employed by another UK employer, you can continue working for them until the new Skilled Worker Visa application is granted.

Yes, you must start work within 28 days of the later of:  

  1. the start date on your CoS; and  
  2. the date your permission is granted.

For example:

  • if your CoS start date is 1 August and your permission is granted on 20 July, you must start work on or before 29 August (within 28 days of 1 August)
  • if your CoS start date is 1 August and your permission is granted on 3 August, you must start work on or before 31 August (within 28 days of 3 August)