We are redesigning the NRPF Network website to make it easier for you to find support and information online. We’d like to invite you to take a survey and share your feedback so we can make sure the new website works better for you. The survey should take about 10 to 20 minutes and is open until 14 June.
A person who does not have permission to work in the UK can usually undertake volunteering, but cannot carry out voluntary work.
The distinction between the two is important:
People without permission to work must not undertake voluntary work.
Further information on this distinction is available from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
People seeking asylum may volunteer, but cannot undertake employment unless they have been granted permission to work. Further information is available in the Home Office guidance on permission to work and volunteering for asylum seekers.
Some visa routes may place restrictions on volunteering. For example, visitors can usually volunteer for up to 30 days.
If a person is unsure about whether they can volunteer, they should check the conditions of their visa and seek advice from an immigration adviser or volunteer support organisation.
Page updated: 10 June 2026
