united-kingdom contract-law employment immigration
UK Skilled Worker Visa: Resign prior to completion of minimum employment period
<h4>Context</h4>
<p>X is on Skilled Worker Visa.
X's employment contract states</p>
<ul>
<li>2 year minimum employment period</li>
<li>3 month minimum notice period after serving the minimum employment period.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Question</h2>
<p>Given the above context, is it possible for X to resign from their current employment prior to serving the minimum 2 year employment period?</p>
<p>Follow-up questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>What are the legal implications of doing that?</li>
<li>Is it legally possible?</li>
<li>Can the employer refuse the resignation? What to do in such a case?</li>
<li>Are there legal proceedings involved?</li>
</ul>

<p>There is nothing to prevent an employee resigning before the end of a fixed-term contract of employment.</p>
<p>But note that there may be legal implications if <strong>X</strong>'s conditions of entry and leave to remain in the UK are not complied with - see, for example, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-part-9-grounds-for-refusal" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Section 9.27.1 of the Immigration Rules</a> which includes:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>9.27.1. A person’s entry clearance or permission on the Skilled Worker [ ... ] routes may be cancelled if:</p>
<ul>
<li>(d) they cease to work for their sponsor.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>There's not much more to say as the question lacks detail, such as whether <strong>X</strong> has another job offer, intends to leave the UK, or apply for another visa, etc. Or whether the references to 2 years and +3 months actually applies to the visa conditions, not the contract of employment.</p>
