If you have a Skilled Worker visa and are currently being sponsored by an employer in the UK, you will be aware that your current visa comes with certain conditions and restrictions.

One of the limitations is on undertaking additional work. Under the Skilled Worker visa route you can take on work outside your sponsored employment, but only to a limited extent, and if the work meets certain conditions.

If you wish to work for another employer, you can potentially do so under the ‘supplementary employment’ rules, but only for a maximum of 20 hours a week. The work must also be undertaken outside the normal working hours for which your Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned, and you must continue to work for your sponsor.

The work must also meet the following conditions:

• It must be in the same occupation code and at the same level as the job stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship; or
• It must fall under the Shortage Occupation List

For example, if you are currently being sponsored as a Senior Marketing Assistant, you cannot take on additional employment as a Sales Assistant at a retail store or a Barista at a café.

You can undertake supplementary employment for an employer who does not hold a sponsor licence.

It is also possible to be sponsored in a second job (if you wish to take on a second job where you will be working more than 20 hours a week or in a different occupation code). You will need to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship by your second employer, so that you can make an additional visa application. Both your current sponsored role and the new, additional role, will need to meet the requirements of the Skilled Worker route in terms of minimum skill level and salary requirement (i.e. each job must meet the flat-rate minimum salary requirement, which is usually £25,600p.a, as well as the minimum hourly-rate for the relevant occupation code.)  

Please note that taking on additional work is also subject to your Employment Contract, so make sure you check this prior to taking on another job.

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