Petition: Create an Open Work Visa for Skilled Workers after 3 years

Closed on 30 October 2025

We ask the Government to introduce an Open Work Visa for those on the Skilled Worker visa, after 3 years, with the ability to renew yearly until ILR eligibility. We believe this could improve mobility, reduce exploitation, and allow skilled workers to contribute more fully to the UK economy.

The Skilled Worker Visa ties employees to one sponsor for 5 years, limiting mobility. Finding a new sponsor can be hard, and we believe that some employers exploit this by underpaying or overworking staff. This can lead to workers missing better roles and employers without a licence can’t hire them. We feel the Global Talent Visa offers flexibility only to a few. We believe an Open Work Visa after 3 years, with yearly renewal until ILR, could reduce exploitation, promote fairness, and boost skilled workers’ contribution to the UK economy.