Can you switch employers while on a Skilled Worker visa without delaying settlement?

If you are currently in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa and considering a new job opportunity, one of your biggest concerns may be whether changing employers will affect your long-term immigration goal of obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

In many cases, it is possible to switch employers without resetting the clock on your journey to settlement, provided the process is managed correctly.

Understanding the Skilled Worker route and settlement

The Skilled Worker visa is one of the primary routes for overseas nationals to live and work in the UK. It provides a pathway to ILR after five years of continuous residence on this route.

“Continuous residence” refers to remaining in the UK lawfully, without significant absences or disruptions to your visa status. If you switch jobs during this period, the key consideration is whether your continuous sponsorship and lawful status are maintained.

Can you switch employers without delaying ILR?

It is possible to change employers while on a Skilled Worker visa without delaying your eligibility for ILR, if you submit a valid change of employment application before starting your new role and you remain continuously employed under the Skilled Worker route.

This means your time on a Skilled Worker visa continues to count towards settlement, if there are no breaks in your sponsorship and you remain lawfully resident in the UK.

If you are changing employers, you must apply for a new Skilled Worker visa. This process involves obtaining a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your new employer, ensuring the job meets the minimum salary and skill requirements, paying the necessary fees and attending a biometric appointment or using the UK Immigration ID Check app.

You cannot start working for your new employer until the Home Office approves your application.

Important considerations to preserve continuous residence

To avoid any disruptions that could affect your eligibility for ILR, it is essential to apply before leaving your current role and not to stop working for your current sponsor until you have received a decision on your new application. If you travel outside the UK, Channel Islands, Ireland or Isle of Man before your change of employment application is decided, the application will be withdrawn automatically by the Home Office.

It is important to start the new job only after the Home Office has approved your application. Even if you remain with the same employer, you must not begin work in a new role that requires a change of employment application until it has been approved.

Key steps to changing employers without resetting your ILR clock

1.  Secure a new CoS from your prospective employer;
2. Check the job meets the eligibility requirements (SOC code, salary, hours);
3. Wait for Home Office approval before starting the new job;
4. Do not leave the UK while the application is pending.

By following the correct process, you can switch employers without jeopardising your eligibility for ILR.

At Gherson, we assist Skilled Workers in navigating career transitions with confidence. If you are considering changing employers and want to ensure your path to settlement remains on track, Gherson’s highly experienced immigration team can provide tailored advice and manage your application from start to finish.

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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