A recent incident has underlined a very real risk for migrant care workers in the UK: working a second job that violates your visa conditions can lead to arrest, visa curtailment, deportation and future bans. This article explains what happened, why it matters for Nigerians here, and how to stay compliant.
What exactly happened
A sponsored care worker, holding a Health and Care Worker visa, was arrested after he was found working at a car wash. The issue was not simply the extra hours, but the fact that the job:
- Was outside his sponsored occupation code (care work)
- Did not appear on the list of approved roles
- Was paid in cash, making monitoring and compliance difficult
Because his additional work did not meet the visa’s terms, it triggered enforcement by the UK Home Office.
Why this matters right now for Nigerians in the UK
- Many Nigerian professionals, especially in the health and care sector, rely on visa sponsorship to live and work in the UK.
- With rising living costs, some are tempted to take extra work outside their sponsored job.
- The UK government has increased enforcement of visa conditions and unauthorised work is now very risky.
- Losing your visa or being deported makes returning to the UK extremely difficult if not impossible — and it may affect your chances with other immigration routes.
Know your visa terms: extra work & restrictions
If you hold a Health and Care Worker visa (under the Skilled Worker route), the rules allow additional paid work only if all of the following apply:
- You are still doing the job you were sponsored for.
- The extra job has the same Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, or is listed as a shortage role.
- The extra work must not exceed the work you’re already doing, and sometimes a cap applies.
If any of these conditions are not met, taking additional paid work can breach your visa terms.
Why enforcement is increasing
- The UK is facing pressure to reduce net migration and tighten controls. The care sector—with many migrant workers—has been under particular scrutiny.
- Employer licences are being revoked, and surprise inspections of small businesses (car washes, nail salons, cleaning agencies) are becoming common. If you’re in a second job in such sectors, you are at greater risk.
Financial pressures & risk traps
It is understandable why some migrants take extra work:
- UK rent, transport, living costs are high.
- Remittances to family in Nigeria, visa costs, housing burdens add pressure.
But when that second job is unauthorised, the short-term gain can lead to long-term loss — your UK future.
What could happen if you breach your visa terms
If your visa conditions are violated, possible consequences include:
- Cancelled visa or Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Deportation or removal order
- Long-term ban from returning to the UK
- Impact on future immigration routes
How to stay compliant — Advice for Nigerians in the UK
Here are steps to protect your status and livelihood:
- Check your sponsored job role & occupation code — ensure your job matches the code on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- If you want a second job:
- Make sure it shares the same occupation code, or is listed as approved.
- Ask the employer for a new CoS if the job is different.
- Do not assume “cash in hand” is safe — illegal work is still illegal even if unpaid or under-the-table.
- If changing employer: variation required — If you leave your main job or take a very different role, you may need to update or switch your visa.
- Seek professional immigration advice — One wrong move can cost years of work and investment.
- Plan for long-term stability:
- Build skills and advance to higher-paid roles
- Budget for costs and unexpected expenses
- Use employer-approved overtime or promotions rather than unauthorised side work
Final word
This case is a warning for all Nigerians in the UK on sponsored visas: the rules matter. Short-term extra earnings are not worth risking your right to stay, work and settle.
Your best path forward is legally sound, informed and strategic. That’s how you protect your future and place here in the UK.
Stay informed. Stay compliant. Your UK journey matters.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
Stay updated on the latest UK news, including education, health, job openings, and more for those living in the UK!
Join here: Naija UK Channel
Also, follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates and discussions:
- Twitter: @NaijaUKConnect
- Facebook: Naija UK Connect
- Instagram: @naijaukconnect
