Most migrants come to the UK to work for someone else. This may have been arranged for you before you arrive in the UK.
You may be employed by an individual or a company. The company may be an employment agency. The nature of your employer and your contract can change your rights.
You will need to understand your rights and benefits and you will need to understand your obligations to pay tax and National Insurance contributions (NIC). We cover these subjects in more detail later in this guide.
When you first start work your prospective employer is obliged to prove you are entitled to work in the UK and will ask to see one of the following:
- your passport
- national identity card
- Home Office registration certificate
If you need permission to work from the UK Border Agency you will need to show your work document.
Employers can face unlimited fines if they employ illegal workers, so they need to make sure that no one they employ is working in the UK illegally. However, to protect themselves against discrimination laws they should treat all job applicants equally.
If you have not been given a National Insurance Number (NINO) before you start work then tell your employer that you have applied for one (assuming that you have). The law does not stop you working if you have yet to receive your NINO.
