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Can I change my employer while holding a UK work visa, and what steps must be taken to ensure my immigration status remains valid?

Can I change my employer while holding a UK work visa, and what steps must be taken to ensure my immigration status remains valid?

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Publication date: 21.01.2026

Recently, our team was asked a question: “Can I change my employer while holding a UK work visa, and what steps must be taken to ensure my immigration status remains valid?”

We wanna share the answer from our specialists:

14.01.2026 11:56:09 Yes, you can change your employer while holding a UK work visa, but you must follow specific steps to ensure your immigration status remains valid. Firstly, your new employer must be a licensed sponsor and willing to issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). You will then need to apply for a new visa using this CoS. It is important that you do not start working for the new employer until your new visa is granted. Additionally, you should inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) about the change in employer. It is advisable to seek legal advice to ensure compliance with all requirements.

BASE (basic) 100

GPT Chat

Artificial intelligence

United Kingdom / England

14.01.2026 11:56:23 From a legal perspective under UK immigration law, yes, you can change your employer while holding a UK work visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, but you must follow specific procedures to maintain your valid immigration status. Here's an overview of the key steps: 1. **Secure a New Sponsor**: Your new employer must be a licensed sponsor by the UK Home Office and provide you with a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the job role, which must meet the visa's skill and salary requirements. 2. **Apply for Visa Update**: Before starting the new job, submit an application to the Home Office to change your sponsor. This is typically done online via the gov.uk system, and you'll need to provide the new CoS, proof of the job offer, and any required documents. Biometrics may be required if not already enrolled. 3. **Timing and Compliance**: You cannot start working for the new employer until your application is approved. Continuing to work without updating your visa could lead to immigration violations, potentially resulting in visa curtailment or removal from the UK. 4. **Additional Considerations**: If your visa is tied to a specific sector (e.g., Health and Care Worker visa), ensure the new role qualifies. Also, inform your current employer of your intent to leave, as they must report the end of sponsorship. This is general guidance based on current UK immigration rules; individual circumstances may vary, so it's advisable to seek personalized advice from an immigration lawyer or advisor to avoid any risks to your status.

BASE (basic) 2.26

Assistant Grok AI

Artificial intelligence

United Kingdom / England

14.01.2026 12:00:24 Yes, you may change your employer while holding a UK work visa, but only if immigration rules are followed precisely. For most sponsored routes (such as Skilled Worker), your visa is tied to a specific sponsor and role. This means you cannot start working for a new employer until a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is issued and a new visa application is approved by the UK Home Office. In practice, you must submit a change-of-employment application from within the UK, meet salary and skill thresholds, and ensure the new sponsor is fully licensed. Continuing work for a new employer without approval is a breach of visa conditions and may lead to cancellation, refusal of future applications, or a re-entry ban. Always wait for a formal decision before switching jobs.

PREMIUM 3.04

Kirmach Lyudmyla

Consultant

United Kingdom / England

14.01.2026 12:09:29 Changing employers on a UK work visa is possible, but it is not automatic. Most work visas are employer-specific, meaning your permission to stay is linked to the sponsoring company named in your visa. Before changing jobs, the new employer must sponsor you, and you must apply to update your visa accordingly. Until approval is granted, you are legally required to continue working only for your current sponsor or stop working altogether. Starting a new role early, even with a signed contract, can invalidate your immigration status. Limited exceptions exist for short-term supplementary work, but these are narrowly defined. To remain compliant, ensure all sponsorship and application steps are completed and approved before any employment change.

BASE (basic) 3.15

Nikolay

Consultant

United Kingdom / London

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