Contractors' Questions: Can I net IT contracts via Tier 2 general visa?

Contractor’s Question: I'm on a Tier 2 (General) visa, working for a consultancy. I would like to consider the opportunity to become an IT contractor under my own 'brand'. I’m unsure if this is possible on a Tier 2, as I won't have a sponsor from the direct employer. What would I need to do in order to go contracting?

Expert’s Answer: You do not need to inform UK Visas and Immigration of any supplementary employment (which includes self-employed contract work) and it is fine to carry this out, as long as it is:

• in either a job which is included on the Shortage Occupation List in Appendix K of the Immigration Rules or a job in the same profession and at the same professional level as the work for which your Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned; and
• it is no more than 20 hours per week; and
• it is outside of the normal working hours for which your Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned; and
• in addition, you must continue to work for your sponsor in the job recorded on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

The expert was Amy Sarraff, a solicitor who specialises in immigration law at Redfern Legal LLP.

Editor’s Note: Related Reading – Contractors’ Questions: Can I get IT work if already on a Tier 2 visa?