Working a second job on a Skilled Worker visa

You can work up to 20 hours a week in another job or your own business on a Skilled Worker visa, as long as you still do the job you are sponsored for (GOV.UK). The extra work must meet one of three conditions. Overtime has no hour limit. A second job of more than 20 hours needs a visa update.

How many hours can I work in a second job?

You can work up to 20 hours a week in another job or for your own business. You must still do the job you are sponsored for. The work must meet one of these conditions:

• it has an eligible occupation code listed as “higher skilled”
• it is on the immigration salary list
• it is in the same sector and at the same level as your main job

See higher skilled occupations for the codes in that group.

You can only do extra work in a job with an eligible occupation code listed as “medium skilled” if both of these are true:

• you got your certificate of sponsorship for your first Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025
• you have held one or more Skilled Worker visas without a break since then

See medium skilled occupations.

Does overtime count as a second job?

No. If you work overtime in the job you are sponsored for, you do not need to update your visa. There is no limit to how many hours of overtime you can do.

What if my second job is more than 20 hours a week?

You need to apply to update your visa so that you are sponsored to do both jobs. You need to:

• get a new certificate of sponsorship from your second employer
• include a letter with your application that explains you want to change your current permission to stay

The letter must give:

• your name
• your date of birth
• your current certificate of sponsorship reference number
• the date your current permission to stay runs out

If your application succeeds, you get a new visa that gives permission to do both jobs.

You do not need to update your visa if you take on extra work that has an eligible occupation code, or you will do less than 20 paid hours a week.

Can I run my own business?

There are various ways to set up a business, including registering as a sole trader. Any business administration you do, such as preparing invoices, counts as part of the 20 hours.

Can I do voluntary work?

Yes. Voluntary work must be unpaid, except for reasonable expenses such as travel. It must be for one of these:

• a registered charity
• a voluntary organisation
• an associated fundraising body (an organisation that raises money for a charity or voluntary organisation)
• a statutory body (a government-appointed body, for example Historic England)

What do the Immigration Rules say about other work?

SW 18.2 lists the conditions of a Skilled Worker grant. You can only work in the job you are sponsored for (SW 18.2(b)). Three conditions are the exceptions (SW 18.2(c) to (e)):

Rule	What is allowed
SW 18.2(c)	Supplementary employment (extra work), as long as you keep working in the job you are sponsored for
SW 18.2(d)	Voluntary work
SW 18.2(e)	Working out a contractual notice period, for a job you were lawfully working in on the day you applied

There is a special case for people sponsored as generalist medical practitioners (SOC 2211) for General Practitioner specialty training (SW 18.1A and SW 18.2(c)). They get permission until 4 months after the end date of their certificate of sponsorship. During those 4 months, the rule to keep working for the sponsor does not apply to supplementary employment.

You must not intend to do any work other than the sponsored role, or work otherwise allowed by SW 18.2 (SW 14A.1(b)).