James Lamont writes article on when to use skilled worker secondary employment provisions

3 March 2026

James Lamont outlines everything sponsors need to know about “secondary employment” for immigration practitioners’ publication Free Movement.

Secondary employment is when a skilled worker varies their existing skilled worker visa permission to add a second role, allowing them to work for another sponsor. This would happen in a situation when a sponsor needs to hire a worker in a role which does not meet the supplementary employment criteria though it is otherwise being eligible for sponsorship.

Usually this means where the worker will be working for more than 20 hours a week in their second role.

“Sponsors should carefully consider relevant employment, tax, health and safety and data protection law before entering a secondary employment arrangement. In particular, they must have regard to the Working Time Regulations 1998 where the combined working hours are proposed to be more than 48 a week” writes James in his articles on the requirements.

James Lamont advises private individuals and businesses on all areas of immigration and nationality law. He has successfully advised a broad range of business sectors including tech, finance, entertainment and education. For private clients, James provides advice ranging from highly complex and unusual applications requiring discretion from the Home Office to integrated global mobility projects for family offices and high net worth clients, including elements of business immigration law where applicable.