Historically, asylum seekers were not allowed to work whilst their claim is still being considered. However, the Home Office have introduced a new policy allowing some asylum seekers permission to work.
Criteria for granting asylum seekers permission to take up employment
For an asylum seeker to request permission to work to the Home Office they must have made an asylum claim or further submission on protection grounds that has not been decided by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
- The application must have been outstanding for at least 12 months from the date the claim was lodged. This only applies to UKVI decisions not Immigration Tribunals.
- Where a decision has been made within 12 months but an appeal against that decision is still pending an individual will not be granted permission to work.
- This will only be considered if that delay was through no fault of the asylum seeker.
- If granted, permission to work is limited to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List. The jobs can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-shortage-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-shortage-occupations
- Any permission to work granted will only be valid until the claim has been determined and any appeal rights are exhausted.
