We get a lot of people contacting us with queries about requesting permission to work from the Home Office, when you have been waiting a long time for a decision on your asylum claim.
As a reminder, the immigration rules allow for you to request permission to work (by default, people who have claimed asylum in the UK are prohibited from working) if you have been waiting for more than 12 months on your asylum claim “through no fault of your own”. This may be 12 months after initially claiming asylum, or 12 months after submitting further submissions to be considered as a fresh claim.
Almost everybody granted permission to work under this policy is only allowed to work in a job on the shortage occupation list.
Contacting the Home Office
Following two legal challenges, the Home Office has amended its published policy on granting permission to work. In this new document, they specify the contact details for requesting permission.
All applications for permission to work from asylum seekers or failed asylum seekers should be made by writing to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and should include the following information:
- full name of the applicant, date of birth and nationality
- Home Office reference number
- a statement setting out the request for permission to work
- contact details for the applicant and legal representative (if they have one)
Applications must be sent to the one of the following teams:
Asylum Casework Teams
Asylum seekers awaiting an initial decision on their claim should submit any request for permission to work via email to AomPTW@homeoffice.gov.uk or by post to: Permission to Work Team, Asylum Operations, Department 139, The Capital, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9PP
Refused Case Management
Applications for permission to work from failed asylum seekers who have outstanding further submissions are dealt with by Refused Case Management and should be sent via email to RCMPTW@homeoffice.gov.uk or by post to: Permission to Work Team, Administrative Unit, Level 7, The Capital, New Hall Place, Liverpool, L3 9PP
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pls grant people leave to remain some of us we’re been in this country for 16 years no jobs ,house and we’re not claiming for benefits we don’t what that pls grant as work permit so we can work.what is the point of bringing people from outside the country when they many asylum seekers who are willing to work when they’ve given a chance. I will be glad to hear from us on xx
This is only not a solution just after 12 Month they allow to work according to SOL list because example out of 100 people 95 are not a able to do work according to SOL list because they dont have that high qualified skill according the job list so better is allow them to do any kind of work they can find just mention restrictions on that they must need to pay NI then make sense i think. otherwise is useless SOL list.
Hi Naveen. If you have a look at the blog post you can find the process information there – you can see which team to contact depending on your situation and what information you need to include.
Hi
My asylum application has been more than 13 months now, I have applied work permit on 8th sept 2021 and it’s been a month almost, still now I haven’t got any response about my work permit. In this case what should I do to get work permit ASAP
Hi Naveen. The Home Office will be receiving a lot of applications for permission to work so it will probably take some time to hear back from them
Hi, I request for permit work more than 6 month and remind them more time but unfortunately didn’t get any answer
Hello Hemn, thank you for your message. I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been facing a delay. Unfortunately, this is an issue faced by many people in the same position as you. You can learn more about why this is happening by reading our Toolkit page on Applying for Work Permission here: https://righttoremain.org.uk/applying-for-permission-to-work-asylum/
Same here dear , am stranded , any feedback from u
Hello Beatrice, unfortunately, most people are facing delays in hearing back from the Home Office about their work permission applications. You can learn more by reading this page: https://righttoremain.org.uk/applying-for-permission-to-work-asylum/#delays
Best of luck.
Hello. Is there any possibility to get unrestricted permission?
Hi there. The Home Office do have the discretion to grant permission without restricting to the shortage occupation list – you may wish to explain why you think that should be applied to you when you apply for permission
But what reason is good for this purpose in your opinion? I just don’t understand which kind of reason should it be? Many thanks
Hi Israil. The Home Office have provided very little information about when they might use this discretion. Their guidance just says it will depend on the facts of the case. The only cases where it is clear it is more likely to be used is when the person applying is a victim of trafficking. It would be best to speak to a lawyer to try and get individual advice about whether your situation might allow for the discretion to be used.
Hi please I’ve received a letter from asylum operations granting me permission to work. Please how do I contact my casework team for them to change my ARC card for me because I don’t know my casework team . Thanks
Hi Esther. You could try using the general contact details mentioned in the blog post: email AomPTW@homeoffice.gov.uk or write to Permission to Work Team, Asylum Operations, Department 139, The Capital, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9PP
Hi, how do you get Your NI number once you have been granted permission to work in SOL. Not sure who to ring and which number? Is there any information on it please would be very helpful?
Thank you
Hi Myra. You can apply for a national insurance number online, using this website https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
There are also phone numbers at the bottom of the webpage if you need help.
We have heard that unfortunately there are long delays for National Insurance numbers at the moment.
Dear all, why can’t permission to work be an automated system, imediately when ur year clocks, as long as your not to blame for the delayed system your granted with the permission to work. Its so frustrating to wait for another 2 months, some of us ain’t on benefits so people supporting us are really fed up of us. Please advice
Hello Shamim, thank you for your message. You are right – it is extremely distressing to be banned from working. At Right to Remain, we are not a government department so we cannot change this policy. However, there are various campaigns that seek to #LiftTheBan. You can learn more about this here: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/lift-the-ban/
Best of luck to you.
Hi i was interviewed three years ago and still waiting for the decision
i am pregnant and have to look after two children
i am unable to do any job
but my husband can do work
so will he able to get the permission for work
thanks
Hi Maryam. This will depend on whether your husband has an asylum claim in his own right, or if he is just a dependant on your claim. If he is a dependant, the Home Office guidance says: “There is no provision in the Immigration Rules to grant permission to work to dependants of an asylum seeker or failed seeker even where the claim or further submission has been outstanding for more than 12 months. Where permission to work is granted to the main claimant caseworkers need to make clear that this permission does not extend to any dependants.”
Hi my case has been pending over 12months and it is no fault of my own but I was recently refused permission to work when my solicitor applied . I currently volunteer for the local community I lived .
i have been waiting for my asylum case, i need to request a work permit , however i am struggling how to apply, can any one be so kind to sign post me to the right direction.
thanking you in advance
Hello Baashe, thank you for your query. I’d suggest taking a look at our most recent Legal Update on delays and work permission: https://righttoremain.org.uk/what-is-causing-the-huge-home-office-delay-in-processing-asylum-claims/
Hi actually I received letter for grant yo work permit but didn’t receive Arc card it’s being 2 months now I m waiting for the card also I didn’t receive the old arc card
Hey , I’ve lost my id , how I can get it back please.
Hello Mohammed, if you have lost your ARC you can fill out this form on the Home Office website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-registration-card-arc-enquiry
Hello
Hope my email finds you well.
I had given assylum claim interview on 19th December at solihul, Stanford and also get allow to work paper. It’s been more than 2 weeks of that interview but I am not getting my ARC.Can you please help me with this
Hello Sameer, welcome to the UK and thank you for your question. Unfortunately, many people are facing very long delays in receiving their ARC cards at the moment. To learn more about Home Office delays generally, you can read our Legal Update here: https://righttoremain.org.uk/what-is-causing-the-huge-home-office-delay-in-processing-asylum-claims/
Hi
Can I have the sample letter/statement requesting for Permission to work for Asylum seekers to Home Office and filled up additional grounds documents?
Hello Mabin, thank you for your message. You can learn more about how to apply for work permission by clicking here: https://righttoremain.org.uk/guide-to-work-permission-for-asylum-seekers-by-migration-justice-project/
Im destitute asylum seekers and I apply for permission to work. Almost is 4 mounth.
Hi Jackson, thank you so much for your message. I am so sorry to hear that you are still waiting. Unfortunately, many people seeking asylum who have applied for work permission are in the same position as you – they are facing a major delay. This is because of a backlog at the Home Office. If you’d like to learn more about what is causing the Home Office delays, you can read our blog post here: https://righttoremain.org.uk/what-is-causing-the-huge-home-office-delay-in-processing-asylum-claims/
I’ve recently received new ARC card which stated that no work. But I’m work permitted student. Can the Home Office take my right to work just like that? I bet they are people who have the same issues as me. Thanks in advance.
Hello Yae, thank you for your message. We have recently published a Toolkit page about permission to work, and you might find the information in there helpful: https://righttoremain.org.uk/applying-for-permission-to-work-asylum
Best of luck to you.
Hello, I have been in England for eight months and I want to apply for a job, but I don’t know what to do and where to start I know eight months is early, but unemployment and lack of money have caused me mental problems and I don’t like to be a person away from society.
Hello Armin, thank you for your message. It must be so difficult to feel like you are living in limbo and unable to do the things you would like to do as you wait for a decision. Unfortunately, you will not be able to apply for permission to work in the UK unless you have waited 12 months or more for a decision on your claim.
Hi! I am awaiting for my substantive interview and after 2 months i will complete one year in Uk . I am just wondering if i can apply for right to work in UK myself or do i need to contact my solicitor ?
Hello Shah, thank you for your message. You can apply for permission to work yourself, and you can find out how to do so by reading our Toolkit page on Applying for Work Permission here: https://righttoremain.org.uk/applying-for-permission-to-work-asylum/
Best of luck to you.
Hello ! Can i apply for provisional driving license with ARC Card work permitted (shortage)
Thank You and i appreciate your reply
Hello Bilal. Asylum seekers are allowed to apply for a driving licence in Ireland: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/79aaa-asylum-seekers-can-now-apply-for-driving-licences/#:~:text=Applicants%20for%20international%20protection%20(asylum,to%20the%20driving%20licence%20system.
Having done some research, I am seeing mixed answers about whether asylum seekers in the rest of the UK can apply for a provisional licence. Some people appear to have been rejected. I think that if you apply you will need to show that you have been in the UK for 12+months and that you have a semi-permanent address. It might be worth trying, though I cannot confirm whether you will be accepted. Best of luck.
Hi I’m waiting for my decision of my question, mark peppers and also I Been still 14 months in uk i need work permission. Thank you
Hello Shahfaisal, you can find out more about the delay in receiving a decision here: https://righttoremain.org.uk/what-is-causing-the-huge-home-office-delay-in-processing-asylum-claims/
You can learn about applying for work permission on this page: https://righttoremain.org.uk/applying-for-permission-to-work-asylum/
Good I been waiting for my working permit for 8months now ,how long does this process take cause is very frustrating
Hello Shaleen, thank you for your comment. I am sorry to say that the delay you are facing is unfortunately a very common experience now due to Home Office delays. You can find out more about applying for work permission (and solutions to common problems people in your position are facing) in our detailed Toolkit page about it here: https://righttoremain.org.uk/applying-for-permission-to-work-asylum/