General FAQs
What employment rights do I have in the UK?
You should agreed your conditions of employment with your employer before you start work. You should have a copy of this agreement in writing, in the form of a contract. This forms the basis of your employment rights.
If you do not have a contract of employment, the law still gives you protection. These include the right to rest breaks, paid holidays, maternity and parental leave and protection against sex and race discrimination.
If you require advice please contact your union. Unions protect workers' rights. If you are not a member of a trade union but would like more information, we can recommend the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU).
Can my employer change my conditions of employment?
Your employer cannot change your conditions of employment without agreement with you.
Your employer must pay you the agreed pay rate. This cannot be less than the National Minimum Wage. Your employer should not force you to work excessive hours. You must receive any agreed holiday pay, and if the employer wishes to terminate your employment, you must receive the notice you are entitled to.
If your employer breaks your conditions of employment, you may take legal action through an Employment or Industrial Tribunal, or the civil court system.
If I need medical attention, am I entitled to healthcare?
You are entitled to free healthcare in the United Kingdom (UK) from the National Health Service (NHS) if you are ordinarily resident in the UK. This means you have come to the United Kingdom on a visa that allows you to stay in the UK for more than 6 months. You should register with a doctor as soon as you can. You will then be able to receive treatment as the need arises.
There is an exception to the requirement of being ordinarily resident, for people requiring immediate or emergency treatment. Any person, whether ordinarily resident or not, requiring immediate medical treatment shall receive assistance free of charge. In this case, you do not need to have registered with a GP beforehand.
Can I access public funds?
Public funds are generally not available to you if you are in the UK on a visa. A condition of your visa requires you to be able to accommodate yourself and maintain yourself adequately, without turing to public funds for assistance.
Once you have received settlement in the UK, you may access public funds.
Can my employer keep my passport?
You should keep your passport in a safe place. From the Home Office's perspective, your passport is your proof that you have permission to stay in the United Kingdom.
Nobody, not even your employer has the right to withhold your passport. If your employer is withholding your passport from you, report this to the police immediately. You may also wish to report this to your embassy.
If a crime is committed against me, will the law protect me?
Everybody in the United Kingdom has the full protection of the law against crime, whatever their nationality or conditions of stay.
The UK has strict laws against assault. It is against the law for anybody to lock you up, sexually harass you or have sex with you without your permission, or treat you violently.
If anyone assaults you, report this to the police immediately. You can find their telephone number by phoning directory enquiries on 118 500. In an emergency, dial 999.
Immigration FAQs
If I have a visa or Entry Clearance, will I automatically be allowed to enter the UK?
Entry Clearance issued overseas is treated as permission to enter the country. Having a visa or Entry Clearance will allow you entry into the UK. An immigration officer has the power to refuse you entry if they have reason to believe you have broken the Immigration Rules.
