Can I Start a Business on a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK?

Can I Start a Business on a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK?

If you're living in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa and have entrepreneurial ambitions bubbling away, it’s natural to ask: Can I start my own business while I’m here on this visa? Maybe you’ve spotted a market gap, want to freelance on the side, or are thinking long-term about building something of your own.

Here’s the short answer: No, you cannot start or run your own business on a Skilled Worker visa — at least not in the way most people mean it. The visa is tied to employment with a specific sponsor, and stepping outside that arrangement without the right permission can put your visa at risk.

But it’s not the end of the road. There are some workarounds and alternative routes you might want to explore if business ownership is your end goal.

What Is a Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker visa is a UK immigration route for people who have a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor. The role must meet certain skill and salary requirements, and the visa is granted based on that specific job.

It’s not a general work visa or a permit to freelance. You’re allowed to work for the sponsor listed on your visa — and in some cases, take on second jobs in related fields — but starting a business or being self-employed is not permitted.

Why Can’t You Start a Business on a Skilled Worker Visa?

Because the visa is based on you being an employee — not a business owner or self-employed person. The Home Office is strict about this. If you register a business, start invoicing clients, or begin trading in your own name while on a Skilled Worker visa, you're technically breaching the conditions of your stay.

That breach can lead to serious consequences. You risk your visa being cancelled, future visa applications being rejected, or even being asked to leave the UK. And unfortunately, “I didn’t know” won’t work as a defence. The rules are clear: no self-employment, no setting up a company, and no running a business — even as a side hustle.

Are There Any Exceptions or Alternatives?

The only minor exception is if you take on a second job, but even that is heavily restricted. It must be in the same sector and at the same level as your primary job, and you must still be working your required hours for your sponsoring employer. It also needs to meet the minimum salary requirements, and you usually need to notify the Home Office.

If you’re serious about starting a business, your best bet is to consider switching to a different visa route that actually allows it. That could be:

Start-up or Innovator Founder visa — designed for people with scalable, innovative business ideas. These routes come with their own eligibility criteria and require endorsement from an authorised body.

Global Talent visa — if you're highly skilled in a qualifying field (like tech, science, or the arts), you might qualify to live and work in the UK with more freedom, including the ability to run a business.

Spouse or partner visa — if you switch to a family visa, you can work freely or start a business, as long as your immigration status allows it.

Another option is to finish your Skilled Worker visa term, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), and once granted, operate without restrictions. But that’s a long-term plan — not a quick fix.

What Happens If You Try to Start a Business Anyway?

If the Home Office finds out you’re breaching your visa terms by running a business or working for yourself, it can lead to your visa being curtailed — meaning it could be cancelled early. You might also struggle to get future visas, even in other categories, because your immigration record will show a breach of conditions.

You could also run into issues with HMRC if you're trading without proper legal status. So even if it seems tempting to take on a freelance job here and there, it’s not worth the risk.

Summary

You cannot legally start a business on a Skilled Worker visa in the UK. It’s an employment-based visa, and running your own business, freelancing, or being self-employed breaks the rules. If your goal is to be your own boss in the UK, you’ll need to look at switching visas — either through one of the business routes, or once you have the right to live and work here without restrictions.

It’s frustrating, but it’s better to stay within the rules than risk losing your right to stay here entirely.