Switching into Work Permit Employment
Nationals from non-EEA countries may apply to switch into work permit employment without leaving the UK provided they satisfy the work permits criteria and have existing leave as:
A student and have successfully graduated at a UK higher or further education institute; or
A postgraduate doctor or dentist or trainee general practitioner; or
A student nurse; or
A working holidaymaker who has been in the UK at least twelve months; or
A participant on the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme; or
A Highly Skilled Migrant; or
An Innovator.
Postgraduate doctors, dentists, trainee general practitioners and student nurses may only
switch into work permit employment as a doctor, dentist, general practitioner and nurse
respectively.
The presumption will be that applications made from non-EEA nationals currently in the UK
in any other capacity will be refused. Therefore, non-EEA nationals in the UK on a Sectors-
Based Scheme permit will no longer be allowed to switch into work permit employment.
Full details are available from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website within
the Immigration Rules at
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk.
