If you wish to change employers in 2026 when you are already in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, you cannot simply move to a new job and start working straight away. Your Skilled Worker visa is tied to your sponsoring employer, specific job role, and the details listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

This means that if you want to change employers, you must make a new Skilled Worker visa application before you begin working for the new sponsor.

This article explains the process of changing employers on a Skilled Worker visa in 2026, the costs involved, and the important legal and practical considerations you must keep in mind.

Is it possible to change employers on a Skilled Worker Visa in 2026?

Yes, you can change employers if required while you are in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. However, you must meet certain eligibility criteria before doing so.

The Home Office grants you a skilled worker visa based on a specific job offer you have been offered at a specific skill and salary level, and a specific occupation code from an employer with a valid sponsor licence.

If there is a change in any of these key details, you are normally required to submit a new Skilled Worker visa application.

Process for changing employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026

You will need to apply to update your UK Skilled Worker visa if you want to change your job and your new job is with a different employer. 

If your new occupation code is listed as ‘medium-skilled’, you can update your visa if:

• You got your CoS for your first Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 

• You have continually held one or more Skilled Worker visas since then

Your partner and children will need to apply separately to update their visas. They can do so either at the same time as you or at any time before their current visa expires.

Changing employers on a Skilled Worker visa involves several stages. Below is a detailed explanation of the process.
 

1. Secure a job offer from an approved sponsor

Before applying for a new Skilled Worker visa, you must get a job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer.

The employer must hold a valid sponsor licence, have a genuine vacancy, pay you the appropriate salary threshold, and assign you a new CoS. 

If the employer who is offering you a job does not yet have a sponsor licence, they must apply for and obtain one in order to sponsor you.

2. Get a new CoS 

Without a CoS, you cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa. Therefore, after you get a job offer from a new UK employer and a confirmation that they will sponsor you, they will assign you a new CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship)- this is an electronic record containing details about your job title, occupation code, salary, job start date, and details of your employer's sponsor licence.

Each CoS has a unique reference number. The CoS you get will also have one. You must use this CoS reference number at the time of your fresh Skilled Worker visa application submission.

3. Check eligibility and collect documents you will need to apply

Before applying to change your employer in 2026, make sure your new role satisfies the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker route. Your new employer/sponsor must assign you a valid CoS confirming that the position meets the necessary requirements.

The general salary threshold for a UK Skilled Worker visa application made on or after 22 July 2025 is £41,700 per year. However, you may qualify with a lower salary if you received your CoS or were first granted a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa before 4 April 2024 and have continuously held one or more Skilled Worker permissions since that date.

You will only need to provide additional supporting documents, such as proof of funds or evidence of English language ability, if you have been living in the UK for less than 12 months at the time of your application.

4. Apply to update your visa when you change your employer

You must apply online up to 3 months before your new job’s start date. You can continue working in your current job while your new Skilled Worker visa application is being considered, or to work out your notice period - provided you apply before your current visa expires.

You should not start your new job with your new employer until you have received confirmation of your new permission.

5. Prove your identity and get a decision

As part of your new Skilled Worker visa application, you will need to prove your identity. Depending on where you are from and the type of passport you have, you can prove your identity either using the mobile app ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ to scan your identity document or by having your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at a UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service) service point in the UK.

You will usually get a decision on your new application (when you want to change your employer) within 8 weeks of your application date.

Costs for changing employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026

When you are applying from inside the UK to update your Skilled Worker visa, the standard application fee depends on whether you will be in the UK for:

• Not more than 3 years - £885 per applicant 

• More than 3 years - £1,751 per applicant

If your new job appears on the ISL (Immigration Salary List)

You and your family will pay a lower application fee if your job is on the ISL.

The fee for each person applying is:

• £590 if you are staying for no more than 3 years

• £1,160 if you are staying for more than 3 years

If your partner or child also applies to join you in the UK, they will have to pay the fee for the same length of time as you, even if they apply after the Home Office has granted your new visa.

Immigration Health Charge

In addition to the application fee, you will also need to pay for the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £1,035 for each year of an adult’s stay in the UK. 

Money to support yourself

If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you must have, when you apply, £1,270 or more in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK. Alternatively, your employer can cover your costs up to £1,270 during your first month in the UK.

How can Visa and Migration help?

Even though you can change employers on a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026, it has become more difficult with changes in rules launched in recent times. Therefore, we can help you with 

Initial Consultation

Our immigration solicitors offer you an initial consultation where we assess your circumstances, your new employer's eligibility to sponsor, whether your new employer is offering you a job at an appropriate skill and salary level, and your eligibility for changing employers, which means making a new Skilled Worker visa application.

During this period, we provide you with an overview of the visa application process, requirements, and potential challenges.

Document Preparation

We help you through the preparation of required documents, ensuring they are complete, accurate, and compliant with the UKVI requirements.

Completion of Application Form

We will fill in your Skilled Worker visa application form accurately to avoid any delays or refusals. We guide you on answering questions, giving necessary information, and disclosing any relevant details required by the Home Office.

Application Submission

We will help you compile, organise, and submit your visa application online.

We ensure you include all the required documents, pay the correct application fee and immigration health charge, and submit the application within the deadlines.

Communication with the Home Office

We act as intermediaries between you and the UKVI, representing your interests and communicating with immigration authorities on your behalf. Throughout the application process, we handle any correspondence, requests for additional information, or enquiries raised by the UKVI.

Follow-Up and Monitoring

We monitor the progress of your visa application and provide you with regular updates as needed. We also follow up with immigration authorities to expedite the processing of your application and address any issues/concerns that may arise during the assessment of your application.

For a one-to-one discussion, call our friendly client care team at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write to info@visaandmigration.com to discuss your case.