Your right to work in the UK depends on your immigration status - this is also called your ‘leave’. If you don’t have the right to work, you might be able to apply for it.
You automatically have the right to work in the UK if:
you’re a British or Irish citizen
you have pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme - or you’ve applied and you’re waiting for a decision
you have a family permit from the EU Settlement Scheme
you have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK
you have right of abode in the UK
You might have a right to work in the UK if you have a visa with a time limit. This is called having 'limited leave to enter or remain’.
If you entered the UK illegally or your leave has ended, you don’t have the right to work in the UK.
Check if you’re a British citizen
You should check if you’re a British citizen if you’re not sure - for example, you might be a British citizen if you:
You can check if you're a British citizen on GOV.UK.
If you have limited leave to enter or remain
You’ll have limited leave to enter or remain if you have a visa with a time limit.
You’ll usually have an online immigration status or a document which says if you have the right to work - for example, a biometric residence permit.
You might have restrictions on the type of job or work you can do, or the number of hours you can work.
If you have a visitor visa
You usually won’t have the right to work - you’ll only be able to work in certain situations. You can check if you have the right to work on GOV.UK.
If you have a student visa
You’re only allowed to work a certain number of hours. If you’re not sure how many hours you can work, you should check your immigration documents or talk to your education provider.
You can check the rules about working with a student visa on the UKCISA website.
If you’ve lost your job and your employer sponsored your visa
If you want to continue to work and stay in the UK, you’ll need to either:
Talk to an adviser if you’ve lost your job before the date your leave is due to end.
If you’re an asylum seeker
Most people who are applying for asylum don’t have the right to work - you can find out if you have the right to work as an asylum seeker on GOV.UK.
Talk to an adviser if you’re not sure if you have the right to work.
Check how to prove your right to work
You’ll need to prove your right to work to your employer before you start working. You can check how to prove your right to work.
If you work when you’re not allowed to
It’s against the law to work in the UK if you know you’re not allowed to. This includes:
Talk to an adviser if you’re working and you’re not allowed to.
FAQs
You automatically have the right to work in the UK if: you're a British or Irish citizen. you have pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme - or you've applied and you're waiting for a decision. you have a family permit from the EU Settlement Scheme.
How do I get proof of my right to work UK? ›
You can prove your right to work by showing your employer either:
- your valid passport - it must have a stamp or sticker from the Home Office saying you can stay in the UK and you can do the type of work you're applying to do.
- your online share code.
US Citizens & Working in the UK
In order to submit an application for a UK Work Permit you must have first received an offer of employment (in the form of a certificate of sponsorship) from a UK employer who holds a sponsor licence issued by the UKBA.
Can I do an online right to work check for a UK citizen? ›
British and Irish citizens cannot get an online share code to prove their right to work. You'll need to check their original documents - for example, their passport or passport card - or use an identity service provider instead.
What happens if you don't have the right to work in the UK? ›
If you cannot prove your right to work
If you're not a British or Irish citizen, your employer can check if you can work with the employer checking service. If you're a Commonwealth citizen, you may be able to get documents to show that you can work in the UK through the Windrush Scheme.
Am I legally authorized to work in the UK? ›
Non-British or Irish Citizens must have a work permit to enable them to work in the UK, this includes any EEA or Swiss national who was not resident in the UK before 1 January 2021. The work that they can undertake will depend on the type of work permit they hold.
Can you work in the UK without a visa? ›
Following the end of free movement between the UK and the EU, with the exception of Irish citizens, all non-UK resident foreign nationals, including EEA and non-EEA nationals who are not settled workers or do not otherwise have permission to undertake work in the UK, need a visa and authorisation to work here.
How do you prove you have the right to live in the UK? ›
You can prove you have right of abode if you have a UK passport describing you as a British citizen or British subject with right of abode. Otherwise you need to apply for a 'certificate of entitlement'.
Can tourists work in the UK? ›
As a visitor, you cannot work for a UK company or as a self-employed person unless you're coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement. You'll need to apply for a work visa if you want to do any other paid or unpaid work that's not included in the business activities on this page.
Can Americans work remotely in the UK? ›
Remote Work Permissions
Since January 31, 2024, individuals travelling to the UK on visitor visas have been granted the freedom to work remotely while visiting.
The UK tax system classifies individuals as either resident or non-resident, with different tax consequences.. Residents are typically taxed on their worldwide income, which means that income earned both inside and outside the UK is subject to UK taxes. Non-residents are usually taxed only on their UK-sourced income.
Can I live in UK with US passport? ›
Americans hoping to move to the UK will need to obtain a visa. The most common type of visas are the UK work visa and family visas.
How do I get the right to work in the UK remotely? ›
Now you can work remotely, attend meetings and research with UK visit visa! Apply Now
- Highlights: Work remotely, attend meetings, and do research with a UK visit visa. The UK permits remote working for visitors without a digital visa. ...
- Individuals travelling to the UK can work remotely. ...
- Regulations regarding remote work.
UK nationals can only work in the USA if they have one of the following: An employment-based immigrant visa. A nonimmigrant work visa. A Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
What is the new right to work check UK? ›
A right to work check using IDVT via the services of an IDSP – this can only be used on British and Irish nationals and was first enabled on 6 April 2022. IDSPs complete the digital identity verification element for such nationals who hold a valid passport on behalf of employers.
Do you currently have the right to work in the UK meaning? ›
What does Right to work in the UK mean? A person is eligible for employment in the UK if they hold a visa or permit that shows they have Indefinite Leave to Remain, Right of Abode, are exempt from Immigration Control or have no time limit on their stay in the UK.
Which visa allows you to work in the UK? ›
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. It also allows you to work in UK waters.
