Skilled Worker supplementary employment rules change

Previously supplementary employment had to be the same type of work as the Skilled Worker visa holder's main role. Following a rules change on 4 April 2024 Skilled Worker visa holders can now undertake all types of work which fall under sponsorable job codes as supplementary employment.

Skilled Worker visa holders are sponsored to work in a specific role but can now also undertake ‘supplementary employment’ with the same or a different employer alongside their main role, as long as they are still working in their main sponsored role and the supplementary work is:

  • a type of work which could be sponsored under the Skilled Worker rules (the salary thresholds do not apply to additional work, it is just about the type of work)
  • outside their normal working hours and does not interfere with their main role
  • no more than 20 hours per week

As part of a right to work check before any supplementary work starts, the visa holder will need to discuss and check with the employer offering the work in question that it is a type of work which could be sponsorable to ensure they are permitted to undertake the work.

The Staff Immigration Team (SIT) have updated their training and guidance to reflect this change in the rules for Skilled Worker visa holders.

 

NOTE: the supplementary employment rules have not changed for Tier 5 visa holders who are still only permitted to undertake the same type of work (research, and teaching if their activities include giving talks/ lectures on their research).