The UK will allow certain Skilled Worker visa holders formally recognised as modern slavery victims to take other employment from October 8, 2026. This is under new Home Office immigration rules.
The change applies specifically to Skilled Workers who have been referred into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). It covers those who received a positive Conclusive Grounds decision during their most recent period of permission in the UK.
Under the amended rules, their existing employment conditions may be changed to permit any work, including self-employment and voluntary work. However, employment as a professional sportsperson or sports coach remains prohibited.
The measure is designed to reduce the immigration dependence of workers who have been formally identified as victims of slavery or human trafficking. Moreover, the NRM is the UK system through which authorised first responders refer potential modern slavery victims for official decisions on their status.
The change does not give all Skilled Worker visa holders an unrestricted right to leave their sponsoring employer. Under the existing rules, most Skilled Workers may undertake eligible supplementary employment for up to 20 hours a week. However, they must continue their sponsored job. Taking a second job exceeding 20 hours normally requires a visa update and a new Certificate of Sponsorship.
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The Home Office included the measure in its Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC 584. This was published on September 3. The Skilled Worker amendment takes effect on October 8.
