Work conditions by visa type: employer summary
| Candidate status | Hiring position | What you can offer |
|---|---|---|
| British/Irish citizen, ILR or settled status | No restrictions | You can hire them for any role and any hours. |
| Skilled Worker — you will be the sponsor | Needs sponsorship | You can hire them once you assign a certificate of sponsorship and their visa is granted. |
| Skilled Worker — sponsored by another employer | Conditions apply | You can only offer supplementary employment: up to 20 hours a week, outside their sponsored hours. |
| Health and Care Worker — sponsored by another employer | Conditions apply | You can only offer supplementary employment: up to 20 hours a week, outside their sponsored hours. |
| Student — degree level or above | Conditions apply | You can employ them up to 20 hours a week in term time, and full-time in official vacations. |
| Student — below degree level | Conditions apply | You can employ them up to 10 hours a week in term time, and full-time in official vacations. |
| Graduate visa | No restrictions | You can hire them for almost any role and any hours, with no sponsorship — until the visa ends. |
| Dependant partner of a work visa holder | No restrictions | You can hire them for almost any role and any hours, with no sponsorship. |
| Spouse or partner (family visa) | No restrictions | You can hire them for any role and any hours, with no sponsorship. |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | No restrictions | You can hire them for almost any role and any hours, with no sponsorship. |
| Global Talent | No restrictions | You can hire them for any role and any hours, with no sponsorship. |
| Has an application or appeal pending | Conditions apply | You may be able to employ them, but only with a Positive Verification Notice. |
| Standard Visitor | Cannot employ | You cannot employ them — visitors have no right to work in the UK. |
Protect your statutory excuse
A right to work check only protects you if you also respect the conditions it shows. Record the visa type, hours limit and expiry date against the employee, make sure whoever builds the rota can see the hours limit, and set a reminder well before permission expires.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours can I employ an international student?
A student on a degree-level course can work up to 20 hours in any week during term time, and full-time during official vacations. Students below degree level are limited to 10 hours. The limit applies per week and cannot be averaged, and it covers all their jobs combined.
Can I hire someone who is sponsored by another employer?
Only for supplementary employment — up to 20 hours a week, outside their sponsored hours, in an eligible occupation — unless you sponsor them yourself. To employ them full-time you must assign a certificate of sponsorship and wait for their new visa to be granted.
Do I need a sponsor licence to hire a Graduate visa holder?
No. Graduate visa holders can work for any employer without sponsorship. The visa cannot be extended, so you would need a sponsor licence to keep them once it ends.
Can I hire the partner of a Skilled Worker?
Yes. Dependant partners can work for any employer without sponsorship, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. Their permission is time-limited, so you need a follow-up right to work check.
What happens if I employ someone in breach of their visa conditions?
You can face a civil penalty of up to £45,000 per worker for a first breach — for example employing a student for more than their permitted hours — unless you did a correct right to work check and had no reason to know of the breach.
Can a visitor do a trial shift or unpaid work experience?
No. Visitors cannot work in the UK, and that includes unpaid trials and work experience. They can attend an interview.
Official sources
- Right to work checks: an employer’s guide
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker
- Student visa: work rules
Rules and fees checked September 2026. Immigration rules change often — this tool gives general information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on an individual case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or one of the firms listed here.