The answer in 60 seconds
- You need a job offer from an employer that holds a sponsor licence, in an eligible occupation, at or above the salary threshold that applies to that occupation.
- The general salary threshold and the going rate for the occupation both apply — you must meet the higher of the two, unless a specific discount applies.
- You can switch from a Graduate visa to Skilled Worker from inside the UK.
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Key figures
General salary threshold
£38,700 per year (verify current figure)
New entrant discount
£30,960 per year (verify current figure)
Skill level
RQF level 6 (graduate level) for most roles
Figures last checked 22 August 2026. Fees and thresholds change — confirm on GOV.UK before you pay anything.
Check the employer before you apply for the job
The Home Office publishes the full register of licensed sponsors. If a company is not on it, it cannot sponsor you no matter how much it likes you.
Search the register by company name before an interview, and confirm the licence covers the Skilled Worker route.
Salary: two numbers, not one
Every eligible occupation has a going rate. Your salary must meet both the general threshold and the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher.
Some applicants qualify for a lower threshold — for example new entrants, recent graduates in certain circumstances, and specific listed occupations. These discounts change, so confirm the current position before you negotiate.
Making yourself sponsorable
Sponsorship costs the employer money and admin. Reduce their friction: apply to companies that already sponsor, mention that you hold a Graduate visa with time remaining, and target roles that clearly sit at graduate skill level.
- Filter your job search by licensed sponsors from day one.
- Aim at roles with published salaries above the threshold.
- Ask the sponsorship question early, politely and in writing.
Common mistakes
- Spending months applying to employers with no sponsor licence.
- Accepting a salary just below the applicable threshold.
- Assuming a job title alone decides eligibility — the occupation code and going rate decide it.
- Leaving the switch application until the final weeks of the Graduate visa.
FAQs
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