If you are asking, “can I switch from Graduate visa to Skilled Worker visa 2026?”, the short answer is yes. You can apply from inside the UK, provided you meet the Skilled Worker requirements and submit a valid application before your Graduate permission expires.

The switch can offer a longer-term work route, but it depends on more than finding a job. Your employer, role, salary, English evidence and application timing all matter. We’re here to help you understand what to check before you apply.

Why Graduate visa holders can switch in the UK

The Graduate route is one of the visa categories that allows you to apply to switch to Skilled Worker permission from within the UK. This differs from certain other routes: people in the UK as visitors, short-term students, Seasonal Workers and some other categories generally cannot switch in-country and may need to apply from overseas.

Your Graduate visa cannot be extended. If you want to remain in the UK after it expires, switching to an eligible route may be an option. Read the official guidance on switching to a Skilled Worker visa and Graduate visas.

What you need to qualify

You will generally need all of the following:

• A confirmed job offer from an employer approved by the Home Office to sponsor workers.
• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by that employer for your role. It is an electronic record, not a document you apply for yourself.
• An eligible job. The occupation must meet the Skilled Worker rules. Many roles need to be at graduate level, although exceptions may apply to certain listed occupations. Check the current eligible occupation guidance.
• The required salary. The applicable minimum depends on the job, its going rate and whether you qualify for a permitted salary option.
• The required English ability. For a new switch from Graduate permission, the current requirement is generally B2 CEFR across reading, writing, speaking and listening, unless an exemption applies.

Your employer should check the occupation code and salary calculation before issuing the CoS. A job title on its own does not establish that the role qualifies.

Salary: check both the threshold and going rate

For many applications, salary must meet the general threshold and the going rate for the occupation, with the relevant rules determining which figure applies. As at October 2026, the standard general threshold is £41,700. Some applicants, including eligible Graduate visa holders, may qualify for a lower “new entrant” salary option. That option has its own minimum, going-rate percentage and eligibility conditions. In particular, time spent in relevant Graduate and sponsored-work categories can affect whether you still qualify.

Do not assume that a salary above one figure is enough. Confirm the current requirements for your occupation and circumstances using the official Skilled Worker job and salary guidance.

English language: do not rely on the older B1 rule

The English requirement changed on 8 January 2026. If you are switching from a different visa, such as a Graduate visa, you generally need to meet B2, not B1. The B1 transitional provision applies to certain people who already held Skilled Worker permission before the change; it does not generally cover a first switch from Graduate permission.

You may be able to show your English ability through an approved test, an eligible degree taught in English, or another accepted form of evidence. Check the current English language guidance before deciding what to provide.

When to apply, and why travel matters

You must submit your Skilled Worker application before your Graduate visa expires. Your sponsor will need to issue the CoS first, and you will usually need to apply within three months of its issue. Leave time for the employer’s sponsorship process, document checks and any identity appointment.

Once you have applied, do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until a decision is made. If you do, your in-country application will be treated as withdrawn. This can create serious problems if your Graduate permission is close to expiring.

If you make a valid application before your current visa expires, your existing permission will generally continue while the application is pending. That protection depends on making a valid, timely application, so do not leave submission until the last moment.

How long will your Graduate visa last?

The length of your Graduate permission depends on when you applied for it:

• If you applied on or before 31 December 2026, it lasts two years for most eligible qualifications.
• If you apply on or after 1 January 2027, it lasts 18 months for most eligible qualifications.
• If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it lasts three years.

The relevant date is your Graduate visa application date. If you already have permission, check the expiry date on your immigration record rather than estimating it from the date you completed your course.

Does Graduate visa time count towards the five-year ILR route?

Usually, Graduate visa time does not count towards the five-year Skilled Worker settlement qualifying period. That five-year period generally starts when you hold Skilled Worker permission, assuming you meet the other settlement requirements.

Graduate permission may be relevant to a different route, such as the 10-year long residence route, if you meet its requirements. The routes have different rules, so it is important to identify which settlement route you are planning for. You can read more about our business immigration support.

What happens to your dependants?

Your partner’s or child’s visa does not switch automatically when you switch yours. They can usually apply at the same time as you or before their own current permission expires. Each person needs to make the appropriate application and meet the relevant requirements.

There are restrictions for dependants in some circumstances, including certain care and medium-skilled roles. Check the current rules for your job and family’s circumstances before making plans. The Skilled Worker dependant guidance explains the application process and supporting requirements.

Fees and proof of funds

For an in-country Skilled Worker application, the standard visa fee is currently £943 for a stay of up to three years and £1,865 for a longer stay. Reduced fees may apply to some eligible roles. You will also normally pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, currently £1,035 per year for most adult applicants. The exact total depends on the length of permission and whether dependants apply. Check the latest visa fee guidance and health surcharge rates.

If you have been in the UK with valid permission for less than 12 months, you will usually need to show that you have at least £1,270, held for 28 consecutive days. This may not be required if your A-rated sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS. Dependants may have separate maintenance requirements.

Common mistakes to avoid

Applications can run into difficulty if you:

• accept a role that does not meet the relevant occupation or salary rules;
• apply without a valid CoS or with details that do not match your job offer;
• rely on B1 English evidence when B2 is required;
• submit after your Graduate permission has expired; or
• travel outside the permitted area while your application is pending.

If your Graduate leave is nearing its end, contact your employer early about sponsorship. Confirm the role’s eligibility, salary and CoS details, gather your English evidence, check your funds and allow time for dependants to apply separately. If you are planning from Leeds, Harrogate or elsewhere in West Yorkshire, the same UK immigration rules apply, but tailored advice can help you identify issues before you submit.

Get support with your switch

A Graduate-to-Skilled-Worker application involves several linked requirements, and a mistake can disrupt your plans to stay and work in the UK. ECA Lawyers offers tailored guidance and fixed-fee support, so you know what assistance will cost. Please contact our team at info@ecalawyers.co.uk or 0113 457 9835. We will be very happy to discuss your circumstances and help you understand the next steps.