Living in the UK can be expensive, and you might want to earn extra money. But if you have a Skilled Worker visa, you may worry about the rules. The main question is: can I get a second job Skilled Worker visa UK? The answer is yes, but you must follow very specific rules. If you break these rules, it can cause serious problems for your future visa applications or your application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This guide will explain the rules in simple steps so you can work safely and legally.
The First Thing to Know: Overtime vs a Second Job
First, it is important to know the difference between two things:
- Overtime: This is working extra hours in your main sponsored job. This is the job that gave you your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- A Second Job: This is working for a different employer or for your own business. The government calls this ‘supplementary employment’.
The rules for these two are very different.
The good news: You can work as much overtime as you want in your main sponsored job. From an immigration view, there is no limit. However, you must still follow UK employment law (like the Working Time Regulations) and the rules in your work contract.
Rules for a Second job Skilled Worker visa UK (Up to 20 Hours)
This is the most common situation. You can have a second paid job for up to 20 hours per week. You must still be doing your main sponsored job at the same time. You cannot leave your main job and only do the second job. But you cannot just do any job. The second job must be one of the following:
- An Eligible Job: The job must be on the official list of ‘eligible occupations’ for Skilled Workers (usually higher-skilled jobs) OR on the ‘Immigration Salary List’.
- Same Level as Main Job: The job is in the same profession and at the same level as your main sponsored job. For example, if you are a sponsored software developer, you could do 15 hours of extra developer work for another company. If you are a sponsored nurse, you could do extra nurse shifts at a different hospital.
You cannot usually take a low-skilled job (like working in a supermarket or as a delivery driver) as your second job.
The Important 22 July 2025 Rule
This part is very important. The UK government changed the visa rules.
- If your first Skilled Worker visa (or CoS) was approved before 22 July 2025: You may have special permission (called ‘transitional arrangements’). This might allow you to do a second job that is ‘medium-skilled’ (RQF 3-5).
- If your first Skilled Worker visa (or CoS) was approved on or after 22 July 2025: You must follow the new rules. This means your second job must be a higher-skilled role or on the Immigration Salary List. You generally cannot take a medium-skilled job as your second job.
This is complicated. Always check the official government guidance for your situation.
What if Your Second Job is MORE than 20 Hours?
If you want to work more than 20 hours per week in a second job, you must apply to update your visa. You cannot just start the work. You must do these steps:
- Your second employer must give you a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the second job.
- You must make a new visa application to the Home Office.
- In your application, you must include a letter explaining that you want to add a second job to your current visa.
- You can only start working more than 20 hours after your new visa application is approved.
Did you know?
You can start a second Skilled Worker job without applying for extra permission from the Home Office, provided it is no more than 20 hours a week and is a job on the list of eligible occupations.
What About Voluntary (Unpaid) Work?
You are allowed to do voluntary work. This must be truly unpaid. The organisation (like a registered charity) can pay for your reasonable expenses (like your bus ticket or your lunch), but they cannot pay you a wage or salary.
Your Checklist for a Second Job on a Skilled Worker Visa UK
Having a second job on a Skilled Worker visa in the UK is possible, but you must be careful. Here is your final checklist:
Step 1: Check Your Main Job Contract.
Does your current employer allow you to have a second job? Some contracts stop this.
Step 2: Check the Hours.
Is the new job 20 hours per week or less?
Step 3: Check the Job Type.
Is the job eligible? Is it on the Immigration Salary List? Or is it the same level as your main job?
Step 4: Check Your Visa Date.
Was your first visa approved before or after 22 July 2025? This affects which jobs you can do.
Step 5: Check the Official Rules.
The rules can change. Always check the official GOV.UK guidance on Skilled Worker visas before you accept or start any new work.
Conclusion
It is always better to be 100% sure. If you are in doubt, do not take the job until you have confirmed it is allowed. good luck navigating the rules for a second job Skilled Worker visa UK.
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