Graduates switching to skilled workers visa to provide evidence of completion of studies to UKVI

This month we are seeing UKVI requesting further evidence to show completion of studies for students prior to their certificate of sponsorship start date. Under new rules introduced in July 2023, students will only be allowed to switch to the skilled worker route if they can provide the following evidence on the date of making their application:

• Confirmation that they completed their course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned, or
• The course has not yet been completed and is full-time and degree-level or above with an education provider with a track record of immigration compliance, and the job will not start before the course completion date, or
• The applicant is a PhD student studying with an education provider with a track record of immigration compliance, and the job will not start any earlier than 24 months after their course starts.

As with all Home Office applications, failure to show evidence will cause delays in decisions being reached. To avoid delays we do advise students to organise and push their universities to send through evidence of course end-date letters as soon as possible. 

To maximise a successful decision, we advise & assist students and employers on the switching process. This is in addition to ensuring all required paperwork is present and correct, the correct fees are paid and there are no errors on the application form.

Get in touch

If you have any questions relating to switching to the Skilled Worker category or any wider business immigration-related query, please get in touch with the team at Migrate UK - we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.