Refugees
Refugees are permitted to work in the UK under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (the Refugees Convention). Individuals who do not meet the Refugee Convention's criteria for refugee status may still qualify either for humanitarian protection (granted for a period of five years), or discretionary leave to remain (granted up to a period of three years).
When granted leave to remain in the UK, the Home Office will issue a refugee with the following documentation and these documents can be accepted to verify their identity and right to work in the UK:
- A Home Office share code from gov.uk, indicating that the person named is allowed stay in the UK and they are allowed to do the work in question. This code can be provided via a screenshot, snippet, print screen, photo of the code written on paper, etc
Asylum Seekers
An asylum seeker is a person who has applied for recognition as a refugee under the Refugee Convention and is awaiting a decision on their asylum claim. The right to seek asylum from persecution is a fundamental human right to which everyone is entitled.
The Home Office will issue asylum seekers with an Application Registration Card which will clearly indicate whether they are able to work in the UK or not. Where the card indicates that employment is permitted employers may accept this document as suitable evidence of their identity and right to work in the UK.
Further guidance about employing refugees and asylum seekers, their right to work and restrictions is provided in the right to work check standard which can be found on the NHS Employers website.
You can view the 'Right to Work checks standard' on the NHS Employers website.