Our team of expert immigration solicitors specializes in providing legal assistance for such visa transitions. With extensive experience in UK immigration law, we can help you successfully navigate the process of switching visas from within the UK. For certain cases, we offer a Priority or Super Priority service, ensuring faster decisions on visa applications. You can ask our team for free advice online or schedule a detailed consultation to discuss your specific visa transition needs.

What Does Visa Switching Involve?

Visa switching refers to applying for permission to stay in the UK under a different visa category from the one you currently hold. However, not all visa holders are eligible to switch while remaining in the UK. If the immigration rules do not allow you to change your visa category, your application may be rejected. In such cases, you may be required to leave the UK and reapply for entry clearance under the new visa type from abroad.

Our knowledgeable team can guide you through the visa switching rules and assist in submitting your application for a successful transition between visa categories within the UK.

Visa Categories We Handle

We provide fixed-fee legal services for a wide range of visa categories that allow switching within the UK. Below are some of the visa categories our team specializes in:

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Switching to Family Visas

If eligible under UK immigration rules, you can switch to a family visa from inside the UK. Our expert solicitors provide tailored legal support for various family visa applications, including:

Switching to Work Visas

If your current visa allows, you can apply to switch to a work visa within the UK. Many work visa applications are eligible for faster processing through the Priority or Super Priority service. Our solicitors can assist with applications for:

Switching to Dependent Visas for Work Visa Holders

If you are a dependent of a work visa holder, you may be eligible to switch to a dependent visa from inside the UK. Our expert solicitors can assist with applications for dependent visas in the following categories:

Switching to Other Visa Categories in the UK

If your immigration status allows, you can apply to switch into several other visa categories from within the UK. Below are some options available for in-country visa switching:

FAQs: Switching Visas Within the UK

Yes, but certain visa types are ineligible for in-country switching. You cannot switch to a work visa if you currently hold or were last granted permission as a:

Visitor

Short-term student

Parent of a Child Student

Seasonal Worker

Domestic Worker in a Private Household

Holder of a visa outside the Immigration Rules

Yes, as long as you do not hold or were not last granted permission as any of the following:

Visitor

Short-term student

Parent of a Child Student

Seasonal Worker



Domestic Worker in a Private Household

Holder of a visa outside the Immigration Rules



In cases where you don’t meet these criteria, you may still apply for a family visa based on exceptional circumstances, including considerations under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act (BCIA) 2009.

Yes, under the changes introduced to the Immigration Rules on December 1, 2020, students can switch to a Skilled Worker visa without completing their course.

Yes, switching from a T5 Temporary Worker visa to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK is permitted.

For most visa categories, including family, work, or student visas, you can submit your switching application through the Priority or Super Priority Service for faster processing.

Yes, if your relationship with your spouse or partner breaks down, you may switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK.

If you are an overstayer, you may still apply to switch to a spouse or partner visa on a 10-year route, provided you meet all eligibility requirements.



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