The Home Office updated its guidance on working or volunteering while an asylum case is considered on 19 October 2026; it sets out who may apply for permission to work and how.
Key facts
- Who: People who have claimed asylum, or made further submissions, and are waiting for a decision.
- From: Already in force (guidance updated 19 October 2026)
- Source: Working while an asylum claim is considered
The Home Office, through UK Visas and Immigration, shows an "Updated 19 October 2026" date on its guidance "Working or volunteering in the UK while an asylum case is considered". This item summarises what the guidance currently says.
The general position
People who claim asylum are not normally allowed to work while the claim is considered. Instead they are provided with accommodation and support for essential living needs if they would otherwise be destitute. The guidance says there are limited circumstances in which a person may apply for permission to work. Volunteering is encouraged at any stage and does not require an application to the Home Office.
Who may apply
The guidance says a person may be able to apply if they are still waiting for an initial decision on an asylum claim or further submissions, and either:
- the claim has been outstanding for more than 12 months and the applicant was not responsible for any delay; or
- the asylum application was refused and the applicant has sent further submissions that have been outstanding for more than 12 months, again with no responsibility for the delay.
If a decision has been made, the person is not eligible, even with an appeal pending. Someone who had permission to work under another UK visa will usually be allowed to continue if the asylum claim was made while that visa was valid. If the claim was made out of time, the earlier permission ended when the visa expired.
Dependants cannot apply unless they have made their own asylum claim. Children under 18 cannot be given permission to take up employment.
How to apply
Applications are made on form PTW1 and sent to the permission to work team. The guidance says all fields must be completed or the application may be rejected. A copy of the Application Registration Card (ARC) and any relevant supporting evidence must be included, and the form must state whether it relates to an asylum claim or further submissions. It should be sent only once, as duplicates may delay processing or lead to rejection. There is no fee.
If permission is granted
The guidance says the person can apply for employment in roles on the Immigration Salary List only. Permission does not allow self-employment, business or professional activity, or applying for public funds (benefits) and pensions. Each time a person finds employment, they must contact Migrant Help with the subject "Change of Circumstances", and the guidance says failure to do so will result in any support being discontinued.
What this means for people claiming asylum
The guidance is the Home Office's statement of who may apply for permission to work and what an application must contain. Anyone relying on it should read the current version in full. The guidance lists the documents that must accompany an application, including a copy of the ARC and any evidence relating to the history of the claim or to any delay.
Sources
- Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration: Working while an asylum claim is considered, guidance "Working or volunteering in the UK while an asylum case is considered", updated 19 October 2026