Changing employers in light of current visa processing timelines

Hi All
I am struggling to get my head around the practicality of changing employers under skilled worker visa under the current timelines for visa processing.
I am on a valid skilled worker visa up to 2027, but to change employer, the employer must issue a new CoS and I should submit a new visa application.
As far as I understand I can't join the new employer until I get a decision on my visa application, which as per current timeline can take several months (even with super priority service).
I am not aware of any employer who will wait for a new employee to join for several months.

How this ever can be practical?
Any experiences?

Super priority, if available, is usually within one working day.

Standard processing is usually within 8 weeks.

Not sure where you got the 'many months' from. Skilled Worker visas very very rarely take long.

TheIzmy wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 02, 2024 4:04 pm

I am not aware of any employer who will wait for a new employee to join for several months.

This is something the employer should be aware of before making you an offer. It's a similar process you followed when applied for the first visa. Some employers are willing to wait and do this, others don't. They will tell you this or just simply will reject your job application.

They should know from the first interview or the first contact that you require a SW visa and that any visa application takes time. UKVI current timeline to process an in-country SW visa application is eight weeks (standard application). You're right, you only can start working with a new employer once the new visa is approved.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 02, 2024 4:39 pm

Super priority, if available, is usually within one working day.

Standard processing is usually within 8 weeks.

Not sure where you got the 'many months' from. Skilled Worker visas very very rarely take long.

Well, I had a look at the latest posts in the timeline for in UK applications thread in this forum.
Most (if not all) are reporting several months of delay, even with priority and super priority service.
I myself had the same experience last year and the year before for my Visa ... Switching from dependant to skilled worker with priority visa (should be 5 days) took 2.5 months (it wasn't a problem as I was with the same employer)... While my dependants took 5 months for normal service.

lolo2 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:31 pm

TheIzmy wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 02, 2024 4:04 pm

I am not aware of any employer who will wait for a new employee to join for several months.

This is something the employer should be aware of before making you an offer. It's a similar process you followed when applied for the first visa. Some employers are willing to wait and do this, others don't. They will tell you this or just simply will reject your job application.

They should know from the first interview or the first contact that you require a SW visa and that any visa application takes time. UKVI current timeline to process an in-country SW visa application is eight weeks (standard application). You're right, you only can start working with a new employer once the new visa is approved.

Since UKVI is not committed to the 8 weeks duration or 5 and 1 days for priority and super priority application, no employer will hire an employee who doesn't know when will she/he going to join.
This so limits the chance - if not denying it - for anyone under skilled worker visa to change employers.

What sector is the new job in?

Frontier Mole wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 03, 2024 10:30 pm

What sector is the new job in?

Information Technology

Not usually a major problem sector apart from third party working concerns. It is a long time for a decision to be made. Probably time to chase it down with your Sponsor to get answers.
Home Office do take their time but unless there is a problem you or your Sponsor are aware of, 8 weeks is way beyond the norm in your sector.
Basic check - are they still on the register?

Probably the vast majority of posts on this sub-forum are from people working in the IT industry. It's the sector with the highest demand of qualified workers and likely with the biggest portion of the SW visa approvals in the UK.

Employers with experience sponsoring foreign workers know what happens during a visa application, including the potential delays they could face. But that doesn't prevent them to embark in the process with the right candidate.

IT sector is second to the care and senior carer in terms of the number of applications. The IT sector is usually less problematic but there are known issues of abuse particularly with the supply of labour only contractors.

I have a suspicion there are concerns with the Sponsor given the length of time to date. Hence it would be good for the OP to check the sponsor is on the register.

If the sponsor is on the register at least the OP will know his application is not being held up awaiting action on the sponsor.