Master prompt
Change of sponsor / employer + adding dependants (UK)
Skilled Worker change of employer, Student change of sponsor (CAS transfer), or adding accompanying dependants under Appendix Skilled Worker / Student / FM.
UKVisa extensionChange of sponsorChange of employerDependantsCAS transferCOS
[CLIENT_NAME] holds [CURRENT_VISA] and needs: [CHANGE_BEING_REQUESTED]. Map the right route.
§1 — DETERMINE WHETHER NEW APPLICATION OR DEPENDANT APPLICATION
Decision tree:
SKILLED WORKER CHANGE OF SPONSOR:
• Always requires a NEW Skilled Worker visa application
• New sponsor must hold current Skilled Worker licence (verify on Register of Licensed Sponsors)
• New sponsor issues new COS via SMS
• Client lodges new visa application within 3 months of COS assignment
• CAN apply in-country if currently on Skilled Worker visa
• Salary must meet CURRENT threshold (transitional protection may apply — see §4)
• Cooling-off period: NO cooling off if currently on Skilled Worker AND in-country switch
STUDENT CHANGE OF SPONSOR (CAS TRANSFER):
• Requires a NEW Student visa application (not an amendment)
• New sponsor issues new CAS
• Must satisfy ST 19.1 (Academic Progression) — see uk-extension-student-package §2
• Maintenance funds requirement may be waived if Establishment Test (12 months UK + 12 months prior visa) is met
• Current Student visa continues until new decision; s.3C leave from new application date
GRADUATE OR FAMILY OR HUMAN-RIGHTS BASED:
• Change of sponsor doesn't apply (Graduate has no sponsor; Family route is relationship-based)
• New employment is unrestricted on Graduate route
ADDING DEPENDANTS:
• Dependant Partner / Child applications under same Appendix as primary
• Each dependant files online application
• Must include relationship evidence (marriage cert, birth cert, cohabitation)
• Reference primary's BRP / visa number
• IHS + fee per dependant
• Dependant grants visa for same duration as primary (or shorter if primary's expiry is sooner)
State explicitly: which path applies?
§2 — SKILLED WORKER NEW APPLICATION FORM PACK
A. UKVI online application (Skilled Worker — Change of Employment)
B. New COS from new sponsor (see §1)
C. Employment contract / offer letter with new sponsor
D. Salary evidence:
• Offered salary letter
• Last 3 months pay slips from current sponsor (continuity)
E. English language: prior grant carries forward (no new test needed if from same prior grant evidence)
F. Maintenance funds: £1,270 held 28 days OR new sponsor certifies on COS
G. TB certificate (typically not needed for in-country)
H. Police certificate (for certain occupations)
I. Passport biographical + visa pages
J. IHS payment: £1,035/year × visa duration // 2026-05 — verify
K. Application fee: £827 in-country // 2026-05 — verify
L. UKVCAS biometrics appointment
M. Cover letter (see §5)
§3 — STUDENT NEW APPLICATION FORM PACK
A. UKVI online application (Student route — extension/transfer)
B. New CAS from new sponsor
C. Tuition payment evidence
D. Maintenance funds £1,483 (London) / £1,136 (outside London) × max 9 months — OR Establishment Test exemption
E. Academic qualifications from prior course (transcript, interim where in-progress)
F. ATAS clearance (if applicable)
G. English language (typically embedded in CAS)
H. Passport biographical + visa pages
I. IHS: £776/year // 2026-05 — verify
J. Application fee: £490 in-country // 2026-05 — verify
K. UKVCAS biometrics
L. Release letter / consent from old sponsor if applicable
§4 — TRANSITIONAL PROTECTION (Skilled Worker, post-April 2024)
For sponsor changes, transitional protection (lower salary threshold) is preserved if:
• Applicant first granted Skilled Worker visa before 4 April 2024; AND
• Continuous Skilled Worker visa since then; AND
• New COS in same or RELATED occupation
Lost if:
• Switching to a different visa category and back
• Lapse in Skilled Worker status > short bridging gap
Confirm in cover letter whether transitional protection is relied upon, and demonstrate continuity.
§5 — COVER LETTER (250-350 words)
Open: "Application under [relevant Appendix] for [type of change] for [CLIENT_NAME], holder of [CURRENT_VISA]. [CHANGE_BEING_REQUESTED] supported by enclosed evidence."
Structure:
¶1 — Identity + current visa + grant date
¶2 — Specific change requested with regulatory anchor
¶3 — Justification: use [REASON_FOR_CHANGE] verbatim, expand
¶4 — New COS/CAS reference: N/A
¶5 — Compliance: HMRC PAYE current, no condition breaches, dependants accounted for: No
¶6 — Salary / financial / academic compliance (per category)
¶7 — Onward intent: timeline for new role / new program / dependant arrival
¶8 — Acknowledgement of conditions of new visa
§6 — DEPENDANT APPLICATION FORM PACK (PER DEPENDANT)
A. Dependant online application (Appendix Skilled Worker — Dependant Partner / Dependant Child; Appendix Student — Dependant; Appendix FM)
B. Relationship evidence:
• Marriage certificate (apostilled if foreign)
• Joint bank statements, lease, photos, utility bills
• Communication records during separation
• Statutory declarations from witnesses
C. Birth certificates for children
D. Maintenance funds:
• Skilled Worker dependant partner: £285
• Skilled Worker dependant child: £315 first + £200 subsequent
• Student dependant partner: £680/month London / £680/month outside × max 9 months
• Student dependant child: same
• Funds held 28 days (or sponsor certifies on COS)
E. TB certificate (per country of origin)
F. Passport biographical
G. IHS payment per dependant
H. Application fee per dependant
I. UKVCAS biometrics for each dependant
Note: Student dependants only allowed for PG research courses ≥ 9 months or government-sponsored courses ≥ 6 months (post-2024 reform).
§7 — TIMING + 3C LEAVE
For sponsor change:
• Lodge BEFORE [CURRENT_VISA] expires → s.3C leave covers
• Cannot start new role with new employer until new visa granted
• Old role continues on 3C with old sponsor until decision (or until cessation of employment with old employer + sponsor's reporting duty triggers under Sponsor Guidance)
For dependants joining:
• Dependant lodges online (offshore via Entry Clearance OR onshore if eligible)
• Onshore dependant joining: must have permission to remain other than as Visitor; cannot switch from Visitor to dependant onshore (must apply offshore)
§8 — RED FLAGS
• New sponsor's licence revoked / suspended: cannot rely on COS
• Cessation of employment with old sponsor > 60 days before new grant: status risk
• Salary in new role below current threshold (no transitional protection): refusal
• Dependant relationship < genuine + subsisting: refusal under Appendix FM EX.1
• Failure to declare prior immigration history: deception under paragraph 9.7.2
• Cooling-off period applied incorrectly: AR ground
§9 — POST-APPROVAL ACTIONS
• Notify HMRC of new employer (P45 from old / start with new under PAYE)
• Update sponsor management records
• Update bank, DVLA, NHS, council tax with new BRP
• Continue 5-year ILR clock if Skilled Worker (gaps risk reset)
End with: "DRAFT change of sponsor / dependant application — for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Confirm new sponsor's current licence status on Register of Licensed Sponsors; confirm salary threshold + transitional protection; for dependants, confirm relationship evidence sufficiency under Appendix FM 'genuine and subsisting' test. Verify current IHS and fees before submission."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt