One of the most common questions in UK immigration is whether you can switch from a visitor visa to a work permit while in the UK. The short answer is no—but many other visa categories do allow in-country switching. This guide explains the 2026 rules for switching visas within the UK, including which routes allow switching, updated requirements for the Skilled Worker and Spouse visas, and what happens if you're on a visa that doesn't permit switching.
UK Visa Switching Rules Overview 2026
Switching visas in the UK means changing from one immigration category to another without leaving the country. The Immigration Rules specify which visa categories allow in-country switching and which require you to return home to apply. Understanding these rules is essential because applying to switch from an ineligible visa will result in automatic refusal.
Can You Switch a UK Visitor Visa to a Work Permit?
No, you cannot switch from a UK visitor visa to a work permit while in the UK. Under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules, Standard Visitor visa holders cannot switch to any other immigration category. You must leave the UK and apply for a work visa from your home country, even if you receive a job offer during your visit.
This is one of the most searched questions in UK immigration, and the answer disappoints many visitors who find job opportunities or meet partners during their stay. The Immigration Rules (Appendix V) explicitly prohibit switching from a Standard Visitor visa to any work, study, or settlement route.
Why Can't Visitor Visas Switch to Work Permits?
The UK immigration system is designed around the principle that visitors should have genuine temporary intentions. Allowing in-country switching would undermine this by enabling people to enter on a simpler visitor visa and then change to a work route, bypassing the more rigorous sponsor and salary checks that apply to work visa applications made from abroad.
- Standard Visitor Visa: Cannot switch to any visa category while in the UK
- Short-term Student Visa: Cannot switch—must leave and apply from abroad
- Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: Cannot switch—designed only for specific short engagements
- Parent of a Child Student Visa: Cannot switch to work or study routes
- Seasonal Worker Visa: Cannot switch—temporary agricultural work only
Which UK Visas Allow In-Country Switching in 2026?
Most long-term visa categories allow in-country switching, including Student, Skilled Worker, Graduate, Family, and most Temporary Worker visas. You must meet all requirements of the new visa category, apply before your current visa expires, and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Your dependent family members must apply separately.
The ability to switch depends on your current visa category and the route you want to switch to. The following table shows common switching scenarios:
What Are the Requirements for Switching to Skilled Worker Visa 2026?
To switch to a Skilled Worker visa in 2026, you need a job offer from a licensed sponsor paying at least £41,700 (or the going rate for your occupation), a job at RQF Level 6 (degree-level), and English at CEFR B2 level for new applicants from 8 January 2026. Eligible switching routes include Student, Graduate, Tier 5, Spouse, and most other long-term visas.
The Skilled Worker visa requirements have changed significantly. From July 2025, most jobs must require degree-level qualifications (RQF Level 6), and the minimum salary increased to £41,700. From 8 January 2026, new applicants must demonstrate English at B2 level (previously B1).
Which Visas Can Switch to Skilled Worker?
- Student Visa: ✅ Can switch after completing course (no Immigration Skills Charge applies when switching from Student)
- Graduate Visa: ✅ Can switch with sponsor and job meeting requirements
- Tier 5/Temporary Worker: ✅ Can switch if job meets RQF Level 6 and salary threshold
- Dependant Visa: ✅ Can switch with own sponsor and Certificate of Sponsorship
- Spouse Visa: ✅ Can switch to Skilled Worker (provides more flexibility if relationship ends)
- Visitor Visa: ❌ Cannot switch—must leave UK and apply from abroad
What Are the Requirements for Switching to Spouse Visa 2026?
Switching to a Spouse visa requires your partner (the sponsor) to have a minimum income of £29,000 per year, proof of a genuine relationship, and meeting English language requirements. Most long-term visas (Student, Skilled Worker, Tier 5) allow switching to Spouse—but visitor visa holders cannot switch and must apply from abroad.
The spouse visa financial requirement increased to £29,000 in April 2024. This applies to new applicants—if you applied before 11 April 2024, you remain under the old £18,600 threshold for extensions.
Switching from Visitor Visa to Spouse Visa
You cannot switch from a Standard Visitor visa to a Spouse visa while in the UK, even if you marry a British citizen during your visit. You must return to your home country and apply for entry clearance as a spouse from there. Attempting to circumvent this by overstaying or making invalid applications can result in refusal and future re-entry bans.
However, if you entered on a Fiancé(e) visa, you can switch to a Spouse visa after marrying in the UK—this is the only visitor-adjacent route that allows such a switch.
What Options Do Student and Graduate Visa Holders Have?
Student visa holders can switch to Graduate visa (upon completing their course), Skilled Worker (with a job offer), Spouse visa, or the new Innovator Founder route (from November 2025). Graduate visa holders can switch to Skilled Worker or Spouse but cannot switch back to Student visa or to Visitor.
The Graduate visa provides 2 years (or 3 years for PhD graduates) to work or look for work at any skill level without needing a sponsor. However, note that from January 2027, the Graduate visa will reduce to 18 months for non-PhD graduates—students arriving in 2026 should plan accordingly.
- Graduate Route: Apply after completing degree—no sponsor needed, 2 years to work/seek employment
- Skilled Worker: With job offer from licensed sponsor meeting £41,700 salary
- Spouse Visa: If married to/partner of British citizen or settled person
- Innovator Founder: New pathway from November 2025 for student entrepreneurs
- Health & Care Worker: For eligible NHS and care sector roles with lower salary threshold
Switching from Tier 5 Temporary Worker to Skilled Worker
Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa holders (including Creative, Charity, Religious, and Youth Mobility Scheme) can switch to Skilled Worker if they meet the requirements. This is a common pathway for those who entered on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa and want to remain in the UK long-term with career prospects.
- Visitor visas cannot switch to any category—you must leave the UK and apply from abroad
- Most long-term visas allow switching to Skilled Worker, Spouse, or Student routes
- Skilled Worker now requires £41,700 minimum salary and RQF Level 6 jobs
- English B2 requirement applies to new Skilled Worker applicants from January 2026
- Spouse visa threshold is £29,000 (or £18,600 if first applied before April 2024)
- Apply before your current visa expires—your leave continues while the application is pending
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change visitor visa to work permit in UK?
No, you cannot switch from a UK visitor visa to a work permit while in the UK. This is explicitly prohibited under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules. If you receive a job offer while visiting, you must return to your home country and apply for a Skilled Worker visa from there. Your employer will need to sponsor you with a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Can I convert UK tourist visa to work permit?
No, UK tourist visas (Standard Visitor visas) cannot be converted to work permits. The UK does not allow this conversion—unlike some countries such as Germany or the UAE. You must leave the UK, apply for a work visa from your home country, and obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer before you can work legally.
How do I convert dependent visa to work visa in UK?
Dependants (of Skilled Workers, Students, etc.) can switch to their own Skilled Worker visa without leaving the UK. You need to secure a job offer from a licensed sponsor paying at least £41,700 (or the going rate), meet English language requirements (B2 from January 2026), and submit a new visa application. The Immigration Skills Charge does not apply when switching from Student dependant status.
Can I switch from Tier 5 to Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) visa?
Yes, Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa holders can switch to the Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2) within the UK. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor for a role at RQF Level 6 (degree-level) paying at least £41,700 or the going rate. This is a common pathway for Youth Mobility Scheme holders who want to remain in the UK long-term with a sponsored work route.
Can I change student visa to work permit in UK?
Yes, students can switch to the Graduate visa (2 years post-study work without sponsor) or directly to a Skilled Worker visa with a job offer. If switching to Skilled Worker, you need a job meeting the £41,700 salary threshold and RQF Level 6 skill level. A key benefit: the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,320/year) doesn't apply when employers sponsor students switching from their Student visa.
Can I switch from spouse visa to work visa UK?
Yes, spouse visa holders can switch to a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a licensed sponsor. This can provide additional security if your relationship ends, as your immigration status would then depend on your employment rather than your partner. You would need to meet all Skilled Worker requirements including the £41,700 salary threshold and English B2 level (from January 2026).
Can I switch from visitor visa to student visa UK?
No, you cannot switch from a Standard Visitor visa to a Student visa while in the UK. Even if you're accepted by a UK university during your visit, you must return to your home country and apply for a Student visa from there. You can study short courses (up to 30 days or up to 6 months recreational courses) on a visitor visa, but not degree programmes.
What happens if I switch visas while my application is pending?
When you submit a valid in-country switching application before your current visa expires, your leave is automatically extended under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 until a decision is made. This means you can legally remain in the UK while waiting. However, if you leave the UK while your application is pending, it will be treated as withdrawn. Standard processing time is around 8 weeks, with priority options available for faster decisions.