Petition · Home Office

Create an Open Work Visa for Skilled Workers after 3 years

Closed 469 signatures

What the petition asks

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.

Timeline

30 Apr 2025 Petition opened for signatures
30 Oct 2025 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 469
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 30 Apr 2025
Closed 30 Oct 2025

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 4 Aug 2026.