Master prompt
Switching from Student to Skilled Worker — in-country application
Drafts the in-country switching application from Student visa to Skilled Worker with timing and documentation map.
UKSwitchingStudent to Skilled WorkerIn-countrySection 3C
Switching from Student to Skilled Worker is one of the most common UK in-country switching routes for Indian graduates. Done correctly, it provides continuous status from study completion to long-term UK employment without leaving the country.
For [CLIENT_NAME] currently on [CURRENT_STATUS] switching to Skilled Worker via [JOB_OFFER]:
§1 — SWITCHING ELIGIBILITY (100-120 words)
Appendix Skilled Worker SW 7.1 permits switching from Student route if:
▪ Applicant has completed the course of study, OR
▪ Has been studying for at least 12 months under the current Student visa
For [CLIENT_NAME] with [COURSE_COMPLETION]:
▪ Completion before Student visa expiry [confirm]
▪ At least 12 months on current Student visa [confirm]
Other requirements:
▪ Job offer at RQF Level 3+ with A-rated Skilled Worker sponsor
▪ Salary at higher of GBP 38,700 OR going rate (discounts apply for new entrants)
▪ Apply BEFORE current Student visa expires
▪ Pay application fee + IHS
§2 — TIMING — CRITICAL (100-120 words)
Application timing windows:
▪ Earliest: 3 months before Skilled Worker job start date AND before Student visa expires
▪ Latest: BEFORE Student visa expires
Once submitted in-country:
▪ Section 3C leave: applicant retains valid status during processing
▪ Can continue working under existing Student permission until visa decided (note: Student visa permits 20 hours/week during term, 40 during holidays)
▪ Cannot leave UK without abandoning the application (key constraint)
If application submitted after visa expiry:
▪ Application out of time = automatic refusal under SW 1.3
▪ Applicant becomes overstayer
▪ Re-entry possible only via fresh application from outside UK
§3 — DOCUMENT MAP (150-180 words)
Required documents:
□ Current visa BRP / eVisa proof
□ Passport bio page + visa pages
□ Skilled Worker CoS reference number (assigned by employer)
□ Employment contract from sponsor
□ Tuberculosis test certificate (already done for original Student visa)
□ Degree certificate or transcript (showing course completion)
□ English language evidence (already on Student visa; may be re-provided)
□ Maintenance: GBP 1,270 held 28 days OR sponsor-certified on CoS
□ Police certificates (for healthcare / education / etc. roles requiring DBS)
For Indian graduates:
▪ University degree certificate (issued usually 6 months post-completion)
▪ Pending degree letter from university acceptable in some cases
▪ Transcript showing course completion + grades
§4 — FEES + IHS (60-80 words)
Application fees [VERIFY]:
▪ Skilled Worker switch (in-country): GBP 719 for up to 3 years
▪ Skilled Worker switch (in-country) > 3 years: GBP 1,500
▪ Priority service: +GBP 500 (5 working days)
▪ Super Priority: +GBP 1,000 (next working day)
▪ IHS: GBP 1,035/year × CoS duration
Total typical (3-year switch with priority): GBP 1,219 + GBP 3,105 IHS = GBP 4,324
§5 — POST-SUBMISSION (80-100 words)
After application submitted:
▪ Online confirmation + UKVI account access
▪ Section 3C leave applies (status valid)
▪ Applicant can:
- Continue to work under existing Student permission
- Cannot start the Skilled Worker job until visa is granted
- Cannot leave UK
▪ Decision wait: standard 8 weeks; priority 5 working days; super priority next working day
Once visa granted:
▪ BRP / eVisa updated (BRP collection at UK Post Office within 10 days; eVisa via UKVI account if transition complete)
▪ Can start Skilled Worker job on CoS start date
▪ Time on Skilled Worker counts toward 5-year ILR clock
§6 — STRATEGY: WHEN TO USE GRADUATE ROUTE FIRST (60-80 words)
If [JOB_OFFER] is uncertain or applicant has multiple options:
▪ Graduate Route (2 years post-study work; 3 for PhD) — apply BEFORE Student visa expires
▪ Find sponsor employer during Graduate Route window
▪ Switch to Skilled Worker when ready
Graduate Route time does NOT count toward Skilled Worker 5-year ILR clock — but it gives breathing room.
If [JOB_OFFER] is firm and offers good salary: switch directly to Skilled Worker for fastest ILR path.
§7 — CHECKLIST + TIMELINE (60-80 words)
T-12 weeks before Student visa expires: applicant receives CoS from employer
T-10 weeks: verify CoS validity + sponsor licence status
T-8 weeks: assemble documents; review with OISC/IAA adviser
T-7 weeks: submit application online; pay fee + IHS
T-6 weeks: biometrics enrolment if required (often automatic with prior BRP)
T-2 weeks: decision typically arrives
T+1 week (post-grant): BRP collection at UK Post Office
End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. The hard deadline is Student visa expiry. Submit application BEFORE expiry; Section 3C leave then preserves status. Cannot leave UK during pending application. Confirm employer Sponsor Licence A-rating on UKVI register the day of submission."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt