The government plans to allow the highest skilled sponsored workers up to six months to find a new job if their employment ends, under a measure announced in the Budget on 28 October 2026 with implementation planned in 2027. The Budget text says the curtailment period will last up to six months, with the duration varying depending on how long the worker has spent in their previous, highly-paid job. The stated aim is to give highly skilled workers longer to find new employment and to let employers bring them on board before they must leave.

Planned for 2027, not a current right

This is a Budget announcement of intent, not a current right, and two cautions matter. First, the Budget text does not define “highest skilled” or “highly-paid”, so who exactly qualifies is not yet settled. Second, the change would not apply to every Skilled Worker holder: solicitor guidance cited in the reporting notes that a sponsored worker whose employment ends typically has 60 days before curtailment under the current position, and the longer window is aimed at the top end of the route.

Who it would — and would not — cover

This is general information about a planned rule change, not personal immigration advice: individual circumstances and the final rules, when published, will decide what any worker can actually do. Anyone affected should check the official GOV.UK Immigration Rules and guidance before acting, as rules change and the six-month period does not exist in law until it is implemented.

Sources: GOV.UK Budget 2026 and Nara Solicitors.