Publication date: 13.09.2025
How to Change Employer on a Skilled Worker Visa
Changing employer on a Skilled Worker visa is a process that requires strict compliance with legislative requirements and immigration rules. For many foreign workers who are in the country on the basis of a Skilled Worker visa, this step can be challenging due to the need for proper document preparation and interaction with the authorities. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to correctly change employer, what stages the procedure involves, what professional migration and temporary work are, and why turning to a professional legal service is critically important.
Question
What are the grounds for changing employer on a Skilled Worker visa?
Answer
There are several situations when an employee may consider changing employer: unsatisfactory working conditions or breach of contract, professional growth and career opportunities in another company, or loss by the employer of the right to visa sponsorship. In any case, changing employer requires compliance with immigration law, including obtaining a new work permit and completing all labor certification procedures, if necessary for the specific profession.
Main requirements for changing employer
To legally move to a new employer on a work visa, the following conditions must be met:
- Valid visa: the applicant must be in the country on the basis of a Skilled Worker visa.
- Job offer requirement: the new employer must provide an official job offer that meets the standards and requirements of the immigration authority.
- Labor certification: for some professions, qualification confirmation is required to prove compliance with the position.
- Work permit: it is necessary to obtain a new work permit issued in the name of the new employer.
- Visa sponsorship: the employer must be an official sponsor able to support the employee’s professional migration process.
Failure to comply with at least one of these requirements may result in refusal to change employer and cancellation of the work visa. Therefore, compliance with all the above conditions is critically important for a legal change of employer on a work visa. Only a comprehensive approach to preparing documents, obtaining a work permit, and ensuring compliance with all immigration authority requirements guarantees a safe transition and retention of rights to a Skilled Worker visa. Ignoring any of the stages may lead to serious legal consequences, so it is important to plan the change of employer carefully and, if necessary, use professional legal support.
Step-by-step procedure for changing employer
Changing employer on a Skilled Worker visa involves several key stages:
- Receiving a job offer from a new employer: make sure that the new position corresponds to your professional skills and the Skilled Worker visa requirements. Check whether the employer has the right to visa sponsorship.
- Preparation of documents: prepare a new contract specifying job duties, salary, and working conditions. Prepare documents for the visa application and confirmation of the work permit.
- Submitting the application to change employer: submission of the visa application by the new employer to the immigration authorities. Compliance with all deadlines and requirements for submitting documents is mandatory.
- Waiting for the immigration authority’s decision: the applicant is not allowed to start work at the new company until official approval is received. The review period depends on the specific category of professional migration and the complexity of the case.
- Obtaining a new permit and starting work: after receiving confirmation, you can legally begin work. It is necessary to keep all documents confirming temporary work and the legality of your stay in the country.
Thus, changing employer on a Skilled Worker visa is a clearly regulated process consisting of several consecutive steps: from receiving a new job offer and preparing documents to submitting the visa application and waiting for the immigration authority’s decision. Only after obtaining a new work permit can the employee legally start work. Compliance with each stage without violations guarantees retention of rights to the work visa and safe career development within professional migration.
Risks of self-application
Many foreign workers try to change employers on their own, but this can lead to serious problems:
- Work visa and its loss due to failure to comply with formal procedures.
- Work permit, visa application, and refusal to obtain such a permit due to an incomplete document package.
- Violation of visa sponsorship conditions, which complicates further professional migration.
That is why it is important to use professional legal support. Thus, changing employer on a work visa on your own carries a high risk of losing the right to legal employment and Employment Authorization, professional migration. Using professional legal support helps to avoid mistakes, ensure proper processing of all documents, and preserve visa sponsorship, making the process safe and legal.
Why you should turn to the Legal Service "Consultant"
The legal service "Consultant" specializes in issues of professional migration and processing of work visas. Our advantages:
Full legal support: from analyzing the job offer to obtaining a new work permit.
Risk reduction: our specialists ensure compliance with all requirements regarding the Skilled Worker visa.
Time saving: we will prepare all documents for the visa application, including confirmation of labor certification.
Individual approach: we take into account your experience, professional skills, and conditions of temporary work to choose the best way to change employer.
Result guarantee: our expertise allows us to ensure continuity of visa sponsorship and preservation of rights to the work visa.
Changing employer on a Skilled Worker visa is a process that requires legal literacy and strict compliance with immigration legislation. The correctness of document processing determines not only the success of the transition but also the safety of your stay in the country. Turning to the legal service "Consultant" allows you to avoid mistakes, preserve all rights to the work visa, and confidently plan further professional migration. Our specialists will help you go through all stages: from preparing the contract and work permit to successfully obtaining a visa sponsorship. The right strategy and legal support are your key to safe and legal professional development abroad. Do not risk your career — trust professionals and make the transition as comfortable and legal as possible.
