Employment

Asylum seekers

People seeking asylum generally do not have the right to work.

There are two main circumstances in which an asylum seeker may have permission to work:

• where they have been waiting more than 12 months for an initial decision or a decision on further submissions
• where they have section 3C leave

Awaiting a decision

Asylum seekers who have waited more than 12 months for a decision are not automatically granted permission to work. They must apply to the Home Office and provide evidence that they meet the relevant requirements.

Further information is available in the Home Office guidance on permission to work for asylum seekers.

If permission is granted, permission to work is restricted to higher skilled roles at RQF level 6 or above, corresponding to roles on the Immigration Salary List.

Section 3C leave

Some people who claim asylum will have section 3C leave, for example where they made their claim before their previous visa expired.

In these cases, they will retain the conditions of their previous leave. This means they may continue to work if:

• their previous visa allowed them to do so, and
• they comply with any conditions attached to that visa

Their right to work remains limited to the type of work permitted under their original visa conditions.

Page updated: 09 June 2026