Home Office Appendix Skilled WorkerNew Entrant Rules 2026
UK Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker Transition Guide
Complete switching guide for international graduates in the UK. Calculate your New Entrant salary threshold (£33,400 floor or 70% SOC rate) and plan your 5-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Graduate Transition Salary Threshold Evaluator
Key Transition Requirements
- 🏢 Licensed Sponsor Required: Employer must hold an active Home Office A-rated Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
- 📄 Undefined CoS: Switching inside the UK requires an Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued from the employer's SMS portal.
- ⏳ 4-Year Cap: New Entrant status can only be held for a maximum of 4 years in total across all Graduate and Skilled Worker visas.
- 🏁 5-Year ILR Clock: Starts on the date your Skilled Worker visa is granted. See UK ILR Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (Graduate to Skilled Worker)
Under Home Office rules, Student visa holders must complete their course of study (or be within 3 months of completion) before starting work under a Skilled Worker visa. Graduate visa holders can switch at any point during their 2-year validity.
Yes. Under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971, if you submit an in-country switching application before your Graduate visa expires, your existing right to work is extended automatically until a decision is made.
If your salary is below the New Entrant threshold, your employer cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship. You must negotiate a salary increase or seek employment under another SOC code meeting the threshold.