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Moving from Graduate to Skilled Worker

How employer sponsorship changes the structure of a graduate’s permission to work.

Resource type
Practical scenario
Last reviewed
26 July 2026
Official sources
2
Platform role
Information only
General information, not a personal recommendation

Use these guides to understand published UK immigration requirements and questions to check. Confirm the current rule on GOV.UK and obtain regulated advice for your own circumstances.

Plain-English starting point

What the published framework generally means

A Graduate visa is unsponsored; Skilled Worker requires an eligible job, approved sponsor and Certificate of Sponsorship.

Build the facts

Check these points now

  • Graduate permission expiry date
  • Employer’s sponsor status
  • Eligible occupation code and salary
  • Application timing before permission expires

Avoid assumptions

Watch for these risks

  • Waiting until the final days to start sponsorship
  • Assuming current job duties match the selected code
  • Overlooking dependant applications
  • Travel after submitting an in-country application

Official starting points

Read the current source

Personal circumstances?

Know when a guide is no longer enough

Eligibility assessments, evidence reviews, application preparation and representation should be handled by a suitably regulated professional.

Verify a regulated professional