Important Updates
Important Updates
September 4, 2025 | OmanOman: New Licensing Requirement for Select Roles 
September 5, 2025 | SingaporeFragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners
September 5, 2025 | United StatesPartner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards
September 5, 2025 | United StatesTimes of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers
September 5, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Announces End of Temporary Protected Status for 2021 Venezuela Designation
September 4, 2025 | OmanOman: New Licensing Requirement for Select Roles 
September 5, 2025 | SingaporeFragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners
September 5, 2025 | United StatesPartner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards
September 5, 2025 | United StatesTimes of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers
September 5, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Announces End of Temporary Protected Status for 2021 Venezuela Designation
September 4, 2025 | OmanOman: New Licensing Requirement for Select Roles 
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Supplementary Work Restriction Temporarily Lifted for Health & Care Worker Visa Holders

May 31, 2023

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Laurence Keir-Thomas Associate

Laurence Keir-Thomas

Director

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 114 289 2138

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Laurence Keir-Thomas Associate

Laurence Keir-Thomas

Director

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 114 289 2138

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Laurence Keir-Thomas Associate

Laurence Keir-Thomas

Director

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 114 289 2138

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Laurence Keir-Thomas, Amelia Haynes

As is well documented elsewhere, the health and social care sectors are experiencing an acute staffing crisis and job vacancies have reached an all-time high. Numerous bodies, including the Care Quality Commission, have expressed their concerns to the UK Government that the chronic shortage of labour is putting the system under immense pressure. In response, the Government has introduced several measures, including within the immigration system, in an effort to ameliorate these issues.

20-hour cap on supplementary work

Ordinarily, employees on sponsored UK work visas are only permitted to undertake a maximum of 20 hours of work in addition to their main occupation. Furthermore, any supplementary work must either be in the same occupation code (i.e., job type) as their main role, or in an area that is listed on the UK’s shortage occupation list. 

Temporary exemption for Health and Care Worker visa holders

In February of 2023, the Home Office implemented a change to the rules regarding supplementary work for Skilled Workers on a Health and Care Worker visa. This visa category covers qualified doctors, nurses, allied health care professionals and adult social care professionals. Health and Care Worker visa holders are now permitted to take on as many hours of extra work as they like without updating their visas. This is subject to the proviso that the extra work is also in a health and care occupation.

The rationale for this move is to increase flexibility within the workforce. It will enable staff to work for additional employers without as much concern about breaching the conditions of their visas.

The Government has confirmed the change will remain in place until 27 August 2023, when it will be reviewed.  

Considerations for employers

UK employers are legally required to conduct Right to Work checks on new hires. If an employer has no evidence of completing a valid Right to Work check, they could be liable to receive a civil penalty where illegal working is identified. This could be up to £20,000 per illegal worker. This could also result in the suspension and revocation of their sponsor licence.

Whilst the removal of the 20-hour cap on supplementary work for Health and Care Worker visa holders provides greater flexibility, it also increases the importance for health and care employers to have robust Right to Work systems in place in order to track employee population and ensure accurate verification.

How can Fragomen help?

Our team of immigration specialists is on hand to provide Right to Work training.

We are also very excited to announce the launch of Fragomen WorkRight UK, a certified Right to Work technology solution designed to help UK employers stay compliant and streamline their employment verification process. The tool alleviates the administrative burden placed on employers whilst ensuring a smooth onboarding process for employees. It is underpinned by our close relationship with the Home Office and our knowledge and expertise in Right to Work best practices.

Need to know more?

If your organisation is interested in recruiting Health or Care professionals, or would like to learn more about our WorkRight technology, please contact Senior Manager Laurence Keir-Thomas at [email protected] or Trainee Solicitor Amelia Haynes at [email protected].

This blog was published on 31 May 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Laurence Keir-Thomas Associate

Laurence Keir-Thomas

Director

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 114 289 2138

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Laurence Keir-Thomas Associate

Laurence Keir-Thomas

Director

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 114 289 2138

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Laurence Keir-Thomas Associate

Laurence Keir-Thomas

Director

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 114 289 2138

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Awards

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards

Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards

Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.