General FAQs

General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) appear below.

Can my employer change my conditions of employment?

Your employer cannot change the conditions of your employment unless you agree. For example, your employer must: pay you the agreed rate, which should be at least the National Minimum Wage; not force you to work excessive hours; give you agreed holiday pay; and give you the notice you are entitled to. If they do not, you will be able to take legal action through an Employment or Industrial Tribunal, or the civil court system. 

What employment rights do I have in the UK?

You and your employer will have agreed the conditions of your employment. You should have a copy of this agreement in writing. This is called the contract of employment. 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). For details of how the (TGWU) can help you, please contact them using the details in our directory, under T. 

If I need medical attention, am I entitled to healthcare?

You are entitled to free healthcare in the United Kingdom (UK) from the UK Health Service if you are ordinarily resident in the UK. This means you have either come to the United Kingdom to work or you have been in the UK for more than 12 months. You will need to register with a doctor to receive treatment. Please note that any person, whether ordinarily resident or not, requiring treatment that a GP regards as emergency or immediately necessary shall receive that treatment free of charge, whether registered with a GP or not. 

What are public funds?

Public funds are: Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA); housing and homelessness assistance; Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit; Working Families' Tax Credit; a social fund payment; Child Benefit; or any disability allowance. 

Can my employer keep my passport?

From the Home Office's perspective, your passport is proof that you have permission to stay in the United Kingdom. It is an important document and you should keep it in a safe place. Your employer does not have the right to keep it from you. If your employer is keeping your passport without your permission and refuses to return it to you, you should report this to both the police and to your embassy. 

Once in the UK, will the law protect me if a crime if committed against me?

Everybody in the United Kingdom has the full protection of criminal law, whatever their nationality or conditions of stay. There are strict laws in the United Kingdom against assault. For example, it is against the law for anybody to: keep you locked in the house against your will; sexually harass you or have sex with you without your consent; or behave violently towards you. If anyone assaults you, you should report this to the police immediately. You can find their address and telephone number in the telephone book under 'Police' or by phoning directory enquiries (118 500). In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the police.

Immigration FAQs

Immigration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) appear below. 

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.

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