PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Grant an Open Work Permit after five years on the Skilled Worker route
Introduce an open work permit for Skilled Worker visa holders after completing five years on the route, if the settlement qualifying period is extended to ten years, allowing workers to change employers while remaining subject to immigration control and no access to public funds
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
6
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 6/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 6/100,000
Background
Skilled Worker visa holders entered the UK based on a clear commitment that settlement would be available after five years. Extending this to ten years without flexibility is unfair and restrictive. An open work permit after five years would reduce exploitation risks, support career progression, protect mental health and family stability, and allow workers to continue contributing to the UK economy through employment, taxation, and business creation.