Cap on Additional Work for Health and Care Workers
The “supplementary work” relief previously afforded to migrant workers on Health and Care Worker visas has now been reversed.
Prior to 2023, migrants on Health and Care Worker visas were treated in much the same way as Skilled Workers as regards taking on supplementary employment. For both groups of migrant workers, any additional work for an employer other than their sponsor was capped at 20 hours per week.
Then, in February 2023, the Home Office lifted this cap, allowing Health and Care Worker visa holders to work in a second job for as many hours as they liked, provided that supplementary job was also hypothetically eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. This change aimed to alleviate staffing pressures in the health and care sector.
However, that move has now been reversed, and the 20-hour cap on additional work has returned. Now, Health and Care Workers can work for up to 20 hours a week in an additional job which is either in the same occupation code and at the same level as their primary job, or in a shortage occupation.
If a worker with a Health and Care Worker visa works in a secondary job for more than 20 hours a week, or this job is not in a shortage occupation, or is in a different occupation code or at a different level to their primary role, then the worker will need to update their visa and get a new Certificate of Sponsorship from their secondary employer.
This change will reduce the flexibility afforded to migrant workers in the UK’s health and care sector, limiting their opportunities for additional income. This may in turn make coming to the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa a less attractive prospect, exacerbating staff shortages. It remains to be seen whether the Home Office will look to combat these shortages through some alternative means.
If you would like advice on your Health and Care Worker visa application, or on sponsoring Health and Care Workers, please get in touch at [email protected]
