Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Right to work in the UK definition

What does Right to work in the UK mean? In legal practice, “right to work in the UK” describes whether a person may lawfully undertake employment under UK immigration law, and whether an employer can rely on a statutory excuse by completing prescribed right to work checks. It is a descriptive term used across employment and immigration contexts, informed by the Immigration Act 1971, the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and Home Office guidance. A person has the right to work if they are: a British citizen; an Irish citizen (under the Common Travel Area); someone with right of abode; someone exempt from immigration control; or a person with...

UK right to work: routes to settlement (ILR) and British citizenship, EU Settlement Scheme, and 2025–26 ‘earned settlement’ reforms and employer implications

Published by a LexisNexis Employment expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note explains how an individual may secure an unconditional Right to work in the UK through settled status (Indefinite leave to remain, Permanent residence, settlement) or by becoming a British citizen. It outlines which groups may apply for settled status, notes proposals for change, and describes how British citizenship can be obtained.

Settled status

Anyone with settled status in the UK is permitted to work here. The terms ‘settled status’, ‘indefinite leave to remain’, ‘permanent residence’ and ‘settlement’ are interchangeable. Family members can join someone who holds settled status and, after 12 months, may apply for British citizenship.

There is a broad range of categories that can qualify to apply for settled status, including individuals who have completed sufficient continuous compliant employment in the UK under various schemes, such as:
- skilled workers
- international sportspersons
- ministers of religion
- innovator founders
- those qualifying under the Global Talent scheme
- scale-up workers
- representatives of an overseas business
- domestic workers in private households...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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