Rachel Olley | Immigration Adviser

Does My Family Need a New Visa When I Change Jobs?

23/01/2023

We’ve received many questions from our clients and enquirers about the process of changing jobs on a Skilled Worker visa. Specifically, many workers have been confused as to whether or not their dependants should also apply for new visas at the same time they apply to switch jobs.

The short answer to whether your Skilled Worker dependant family members also need to apply at the same time you apply to change jobs is no, their previous visas remain valid. They can apply at any time before their current visa expires.

Below, we’ve explained how UK Skilled Worker visa holders can change jobs on their visa in the first place. Then, we’ve shared the Home Office’s response to this question in more detail and provided two different example situations.

What is the process of changing jobs on a Skilled Worker visa?

Current Skilled Worker visa holders can accept different jobs with their current employer or switch jobs to an entirely new employer, but in most cases you must update your visa to do so.

You will always need to update your Skilled Worker visa if you change employer.

If you remain with your current employer, you’ll only have to update your visa if you move into a job with a different occupation code, or if you move from a position on the shortage occupation list to a position that isn’t on this list. If you’re not sure what your job’s occupation code is, it can be found here.

Changing jobs on a Skilled Worker visa means you will still need to meet all the standard eligibility requirements.

This means you’ll need to obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer, and your new job must meet or exceed the minimum salary threshold for your new role. If you’ve already been in the UK for over a year, you won’t be asked to provide any additional documents as evidence for your application.

When updating a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll also need to again pay application fees which range from £624 to £1,423 at the time of writing, and the Immigration Health Surcharge which currently costs £634 per year.

You’re able to apply to update your visa up to 3 months before starting your new job.

Decisions typically take 8 weeks, or you may be eligible to pay for the priority service, which costs an additional £500 and means your decision will be received within 5 working days after your UKVCAS appointment.

A super priority service may also be available, which costs an additional £800 and means you’ll receive your decision the working day after your appointment.

If you prefer, you can upload your identification documents using the UK Immigration: ID Check app when using the regular or priority service, but this option is not provided for the super priority service.

If you have any further questions about your UK Skilled Worker visa, please refer to our overview page or contact us directly.

Should my family apply for new dependant visas when I change jobs in the UK?

Dependant visa applications are handled separately from the main applicant’s. Your Skilled Worker dependant family members do not have to apply to update their visa at the same time you apply to change jobs. They can do so at any time before their current visa expires, as clarified on the gov.uk website.

This is a recent and much-needed clarification, as previously this information was only found publicly in a response to an enquiry submitted under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Home Office provided the following response:

“Permission granted to a dependant is linked to the main applicant continuing to hold valid leave as before. If a main applicant is applying for permission to stay to work or study under a new sponsor, dependants do not have to apply with them for permission to stay. Instead, dependants can remain in the UK until the end of the validity period of their existing dependant leave.”

This statement and further information on the rules for dependant visas can be found in the Home Office’s complete response: FOI Response 63572.

Since Skilled Worker dependant family members also need to pay both application fees and IHS fees when applying for new visas, this means families could save thousands of pounds by choosing not to apply at the same time as the main applicant. However, there may be situations where it’s beneficial to apply at the same time as the main skilled worker visa holder.

To explain this further, we’ve created the following two examples.

Example 1

Michal’s initial Skilled Worker visa application was granted for five years from May 2021 - May 2026.

In April 2022, he decided he was unhappy in his current role, as he’d been promised career development in return for moving to the UK with his family. He chooses to find a new job with a new employer and makes a successful Skilled Worker change of employment application which lasts for three years, until April 2025.

In this example, Michal’s dependants already own visas that grant them the legal right to remain in the UK until May 2026.

This means there’s no need for them to also apply for new visas with Michal, as his visa expires a year before theirs do.

Example 2

Lucia’s initial UK Skilled Worker visa application was granted for three years from July 2021 - July 2024.

In February 2024 she receives an offer from a different company and decides to change jobs. She then makes a successful Skilled Worker change of employment application which lasts for three years, until February 2027.

In this example, Lucia’s dependants have visas which expire in 2024, three years before Lucia’s new expiry date. It would therefore make sense to consider applying for new dependant visas that last until 2027 at the same time as Lucia.

Can I get help with my Skilled Worker Dependant visa applications?

If you’re still uncertain about when to apply for new Skilled Worker dependant visas, or how to start changing jobs on a Skilled Worker visa, our team can help. Our advisers have experience supporting Skilled Workers as well as Sponsor Licence holders, meaning we have a comprehensive view of the entire working visa process in the UK.

We offer a free 30-minute enquiry, where we can answer questions and advise on the best course of action for you and your family. Please do contact us directly if you need any assistance, and one of our experienced immigration advisers will be able to speak to you personally.