Extending or switching your visa

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When to extend or switch your visa

You can apply to extend your visa if:  

• Your visa is ending  
• You want to stay in Scotland 

If your circumstances change you might be able to switch visa. For example, if you are no longer a student.  

Switching your visa can affect your right to apply for indefinite leave to remain (gov.uk)

This is because you can apply for indefinite leave to remain after being in the UK for a certain time. If you switch visa, your time on your old visa might not count towards the time needed to qualify for indefinite leave to remain. This depends on the visa being switched from and the visa being switched to. 

eVisa

If you apply to extend or switch your visa, you’ll get an eVisa.  

For more information check our advice on finding the right visa.  

Extend your Skilled Worker visa

You can extend your visa if you're still working for the employer who sponsored you, but you must also meet certain conditions.

You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you want if you meet the conditions.  

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend when you extend yours. They must apply to extend their visa separately. Each person needs a separate application.  

You can apply for your child if you have parental responsibility for them. You can apply your partner if you have their permission. 

Check if you can extend your Skilled Worker visa (gov.uk) 

Check if your partner and children can extend their visa (gov.uk) 

Changing jobs if you have a Skilled Worker visa

 You can apply to update your visa if:  

• You have a Skilled Worker visa  
• You want to change your job 

Check if you can update your visa if you change job (gov.uk) 

Extend your Family visa

You can apply to extend your Family visa before your permission to stay runs out.  

Check if you can extend your family visa (gov.uk)   

Extend or switch your Student visa after you graduate

There are different options to extend or switch your Student visa if you’d like to live and work in Scotland after you’ve successfully completed your course.

Extend your Student visa

You can apply to extend your Student visa if:  

• You want to continue studying 
• Your new course will be at a higher level than your current one 

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend when you extend yours. They must apply to extend their visa separately. Each person needs a separate application. 

You can apply for your child if you have parental responsibility for them. You can apply your partner if you have their permission. 

Check if you can extend your Student visa (gov.uk)  

Check if your partner and children can extend their visas (gov.uk) 

Apply for a Graduate visa

If you've finished studying, you can apply for a Graduate visa. A Graduate visa lets you stay in Scotland for at least two years after finishing your course. It lets you stay and work, or look for work in the UK. The Graduate visa does not need sponsorship or endorsement by and employer or university.

Find out how to apply for a Graduate visa (gov.uk)

Find more information on Graduate visas (ukcisa.org.uk)

Apply for a Global Talent Visa

You can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you’re a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:

• academia or research
• arts and culture
• digital technology

Find more information on Global Talent visas (gov.uk)

Switch your visa to a Skilled Worker visa

You might be able to switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. Your job must meet certain eligibility requirements. 

If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also meet one of the following requirements:

• you’ve completed the course you were sponsored to study
• your job start date is after your course has finished
• you’re studying for a PhD full time, and have been for at least 24 months

Check if you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa (gov.uk) 

Switch your Student visa to a Health and Care Worker visa

If you’ve graduated as a healthcare professional and are looking for work in healthcare, you might be able to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa. You must meet certain criteria.

Find more information on switching to a Health and Care Worker visa (careers.nhs.scot)

Switch your visa if you separate or divorce

Your visa relies on your relationship if you’re in Scotland as a: 

• Dependant on your partner’s visa  
• Spouse or partner on a family visa 

If you separate or divorce, you’ll normally have to tell the Home Office. You’ll then have to apply to stay in Scotland.  

Learn more about visas when you separate or divorce (gov.uk) 

Help for domestic abuse 

Domestic abuse is a crime in Scotland. If you're being harmed by your partner or ex-partner, or someone you live with, you may be experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse can be physical, emotional or sexual. 

There are lots of organisations in Scotland offering free, confidential help and support. They have specially trained staff to listen to you, support you and help you to keep safe.  

If English isn’t your preferred language, they can normally speak to you through a translation service.  

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, you can call the Domestic Abuse Helpline (womensaid.scot) on 0800 027 1234. 

Find more information on help for domestic abuse (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Find out more about Scotland’s domestic abuse laws (scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk) 

You can also find help for domestic abuse at Safer Scotland (Safer.scot)