Switching from a Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa is not just a legal step; it’s a turning point in a graduate’s life. It represents the moment when years of study begin to evolve into a pathway for building a future, a career, and perhaps even a permanent home in the UK. For many, it’s more than paperwork — it’s about moving from lectures and dissertations to boardrooms and responsibilities, with all the hopes and uncertainties that come along with it.
The transition also comes with its fair share of emotions. There’s the excitement of moving into the next stage of life, the nervousness of navigating a new visa process, and the determination to make it all work. Graduates often see this step as a validation of the investment they’ve made in themselves and their education, and sponsors view it as the chance to bring in fresh talent ready to contribute.
This change is never simply about meeting requirements on a checklist; it’s about recognising potential, aligning personal ambitions with professional opportunities, and finding a sense of stability in a place that already feels like home. The student-to-skilled worker route marks the point where preparation meets opportunity, where years of study are finally tested in the real world, and where every decision carries more weight than it did before.
What was the situation before 2025?
To appreciate the changes, here’s a brief on how things stood before mid-2025:
- The Graduate Route previously allowed international students who completed eligible UK degrees to stay and work, or look for work, without needing a sponsor for 2 years, or 3 years for PhD graduates.
- The Graduate Route did not require a job offer or a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS); work at any skill level was allowed.
- Graduates could often switch from the Graduate Route to a Skilled Worker visa if they found a sponsoring employer. Requirements such as skill level, salary, English language, etc., were applicable. But skills threshold was lower (RQF Level 3 permitted in many cases), and salary thresholds were lower.
- Salary thresholds before were around £38,700 for many Skilled Worker roles, with discounted rates for new entrants or for certain PhD-level roles.
Key Policy Shifts in 2025: What’s New?
From 2025, significant changes to the Skilled Worker visa rules came into effect. These affect eligibility for switching from a student visa and what graduates need to do. Below are the main changes:
1. Skill Level Raised to RQF Level 6 (Degree Level)
- The minimum skill level for Skilled Worker visa roles has been raised from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 3 to RQF Level 6, i.e., roles equivalent to an undergraduate degree and above.
- That means many roles which were previously eligible (those at levels 3-5) are no longer eligible unless they feature on certain government lists (like the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List).
2. Raised Salary Thresholds
The income you must earn to qualify under the Skilled Worker visa has increased. Some key figures:
| Category | Pre-July 2025 Salary Threshold | New – From 22 July 2025 |
| General Skilled Worker Applicants | £38,700 | £41,700 annually |
| “New Entrant” discounted rate | £30,960 (or 70% of the going rate) | £33,400 or 70% of the going rate, whichever is higher |
| “Relevant PhD” discounts (non-STEM / STEM) | Previously lower thresholds (e.g., non-STEM PhDs around £23,800; STEM PhDs around £20,960, etc.) | Now: non-STEM PhD roles need at least £37,500; STEM PhD threshold is lower in comparison but still elevated (at least £33,400) under specific going rate rules with a discount. |
3. PhD Requirements and Relevance
- If you hold a UK PhD or an equivalent overseas PhD, and if that PhD is relevant to the job in question, you may benefit from the discounted salary threshold.
- For STEM PhDs, the discount is more favourable (you may get a reduction on the going rate or salary required). For non-STEM PhDs, there is a discount—but the required salary minimum is higher (as above).
4. Sponsor Obligations and Employer Requirements
- Employers must hold a valid Sponsor Licence to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The job offered must meet the updated skill level (RQF 6 or above) and meet the raised salary threshold.
- If the job is on temporary lists (Immigration Salary List, Temporary Shortage List), there may be additional flexibility, but there are stricter obligations for sponsors. They may need to prove that domestic labour has been considered or that there is a shortage.
5. Graduate Route Durations & Eligibility Changes
- The Graduate Route still allows students to stay after completing studies (2 years for most degrees, 3 years for PhD), but there are proposals and pending changes affecting duration. Some sources report that the Graduate visa will be shortened in certain cases (e.g., to 18 months) though exact implementation details are pending.
- For switching from a student visa, you must have completed your course if you are on a student visa. If you are doing a full-time PhD, you must have been studying full-time for at least 24 months.
How to Switch from a Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa in 2025?
Here is a step-by-step of what you, as a graduate or PhD student, must do under the current rules:
- Check eligibility while on your student visa
- Must have completed your sponsored course (or be finishing imminently).
- If you are doing a PhD full-time, you need to have done so for at least 24 months.
- Job offer: your role must be eligible — RQF Level 6, or if lower level, on specific shortage or salary lists.
- Employer must be a licensed sponsor.
- Salary must meet one of the thresholds:
- General Skilled Worker threshold: ~£41,700 per year.
- If “new entrant” (which many graduates will qualify as), then £33,400 per year or 70% of the going rate, whichever is higher.
- If you hold a relevant PhD, and the job is relevant to your PhD, you may be able to use that status for a salary discount as above.
- Employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- The employer must hold a valid sponsor licence, assign the CoS, and comply with the updated sponsor duties.
- English Language Requirement
- You must show you can speak, read, write, and understand English to a required level. Same as before.
- Apply in-country (switching visa)
- You submit the Skilled Worker visa application before your current Student visa expires.
- Include supporting documents: identity, CoS, proof of qualifications (including PhD, if relevant), proof of salary, and evidence that your employer is a sponsor.
- Pay fees & healthcare surcharge
- There are visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Wait for the decision
- Decision times vary; often weeks.
PhD Graduates: What’s Special?
There are some important points to remember:
- If you have a UK PhD (or equivalent overseas) and if that PhD is relevant to your job, you may benefit from the “Relevant PhD” salary discount.
- The discount means you can meet a lower proportion of the job’s going rate or salary threshold (but still must not fall below the absolute minimums, e.g., new entrant minimum).
- STEM PhDs get more favourable treatment compared to non-STEM in terms of what discount applies.
- If doing a PhD full-time, the requirement of having been doing so for at least 24 months to be eligible in certain switching conditions.
Challenges & Considerations under the New Rules
Switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa is still viable, but the changes present new challenges:
- Salary hikes mean some job offers that would have qualified pre-2025 no longer do. Graduates must check carefully.
- The RQF Level 6 requirement removes a lot of roles previously used by graduates to transition, especially in sectors like social care, certain education roles, and others. Unless the job is on a shortage or salary list, they won’t count.
- Employers must be sponsors, and the role must have an eligible Certificate of Sponsorship. Many employers will need to adapt HR practices and budgeting.
- For students in PhD or finishing late, timing matters: meeting the 24-month requirement, completing the course, applying before visa expiry, etc.
- The White Paper suggests stricter enforcement and fewer workarounds. Graduates planning to switch should seek up-to-date advice.
Tips for Graduates & Employers: Making the Switch Smoothly
To navigate the UK student to skilled worker route efficiently in 2025, here are practical tips.
For Graduates / Students:
- Plan: Know your course finish date, ensure you complete on time, and start looking for eligible roles early.
- Check job offers against the new thresholds: Always verify that the salary meets either the general threshold or the “new entrant” or “relevant PhD” discount thresholds. Use the occupation code and going rate tools.
- Ensure your PhD is relevant: Keep academic documentation ready, and be able to show how your qualification matches the job.
- Stay in status: Apply while your student visa or Graduate visa is still valid. Do not let your leave lapse.
- Keep abreast of changes: Immigration rules are shifting; always check GOV.UK for the latest updates.
For Employers / Sponsors:
- Update job specifications: Make sure job descriptions reflect requirements at RQF Level 6 or that the role is eligible via the shortage or salary lists, if applicable.
- Review budgets and salary offerings: If the role was previously acceptable under older rules, check if the new salary threshold still works.
- Ensure Sponsor Licence compliance: Maintain a valid sponsor licence, be ready with documents, and be aware of audits or checks.
- Communicate clearly with candidates: Let potential hires know what the visa switching requirements are — many may assume older, easier requirements still apply.
- Seek legal/immigration advice if needed: For complex cases (e.g., overseas PhDs, roles with mixed eligibility, shortage occupation list entries), professional advice can avoid costly mistakes.
Conclusion!
In 2025, the path from Student visa to Skilled Worker visa remains open, but the bar has certainly been raised. With tightened rules, higher thresholds, and stricter sponsor duties, graduates now face a more exacting process than ever before. PhD holders may have certain advantages, but only when their qualifications align directly with the role they pursue. What once felt like a straightforward progression now requires planning, clarity, and confidence.
If you’re preparing to make this transition, don’t leave it to chance. Stay informed, act early, and keep yourself equipped with the very latest updates. For clear guidance, practical tips, and ongoing insights, follow Skilled Worker Mag — your go-to resource for navigating the UK student to skilled worker route with confidence.
