Can I start a business in the UK while on a Skilled Worker visa?

15 Jan 2025, 00 mins ago

The answer isn’t straightforward, as this will depend on the type of business activity you plan to undertake and whether it aligns with your visa conditions.

The Skilled Worker visa allows foreign nationals to work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible role. This visa will allow you to:

  • Work for your sponsor (the employer who issued your Certificate of Sponsorship).
  • Switch jobs, provided the new employer is also a licensed sponsor and you meet the visa requirements.
  • Settle permanently in the UK after 5 years.

While this visa offers substantial work flexibility, it comes with restrictions that influence your ability to start a business.

As a Skilled Worker, you are required to remain employed by your sponsoring employer in the role stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship. This means that your primary focus must be on fulfilling the duties of your sponsored job.

However, you are allowed to take on additional work, provided it complies with immigration visa rules. This can include running a business, but only as a secondary activity. You must ensure your sponsored employment remains your primary role. Any secondary business must not interfere with your primary sponsored job and must comply with UK employment and tax laws.

You will have a restriction of 20 hours per week when you intend to undertake such secondary employment. You must also ensure that the secondary role that you intend to undertake in your own business must fall under an eligible occupation code of the immigration rules.

If you plan to set up a business, it is important that you seek professional guidance to avoid unintentionally breaching your visa conditions, as the immigration rules can be complex.

Updated: 15 January 2025

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