Skilled Worker Visa in-country applications - switching FAQs

To enable you to switch from your current visa (which is nota Skilled Worker Visa) to a Skilled Worker Visa, the University has assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to you, and you can now apply for your visa. Please see the guidance below regarding the visa application process.

You can switch visa categories inside the UK whilst holding any other UK visa type, except the following:

  • a visit visa/visitor status granted at the border
  • a short-term study visa
  • permission to stay outside the immigration rules (for example on compassionate grounds) granted

In most cases, you can switch to the Skilled Worker Visa route at any time, provided you apply before your current visa expires.

If you are switching from a Tier 4/Student visa, please see the relevant section below.

Yes, but only if you made your new visa application before your current visa expires. 

The University is legally required to verify your ongoing visa application with the Home Office, via the Employer Checking Service. To ensure we can legally continue to employ you whilst your Skilled Worker Visa application is pending, you must provide:

  • evidence of your new visa application
  • a signed copy of an ‘ECS employee permission’ letter.

You can find further information, and download a copy of the ECS permission letter, on our website.

Please send all documentation to the HR Compliance Team.

Failure to provide the above documentation before your current visa expires may result in the termination of your contract.

  • Undergraduate and Masters (Taught and Research) students: The work start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) can be no earlier than the course end date on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The Compliance Team can provide you with a CoS up to 3 months before that the work start date on the CoS.
  • Doctorate (PhD) students: The work start date on your CoS can be no earlier than the two-year anniversary of your course start date as noted on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The Compliance Team can provide you with a CoS up to 3 months before the work start date on the CoS. 

 

If you are a University of Cambridge student, the Compliance Team will be able to access the information on your CAS on our systems using your Unique Student Number. If you are an external student, you will need to provide a copy of your CAS to the department which will employ you.

Once you have your CoS, you can then apply for your Skilled Worker visa.

Once your Skilled Worker Visa application has been granted, you must provide a share code to your department so that they can arrange and undertake an online right to work check with you. Please speak to your department to initiate this process.

It depends whether your existing visa will allow you to start work in your new job - please check with your departmental admistrator.

If your current visa does not allow you to start work at the University, then 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.

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)