Immigration Rights

If you arrived to the UK on Domestic Worker Visa granted before 6 April 2012 and you need a help with renewing your visa or applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain please contact us on info@kalayaan.org.uk or 0207 243 2942 and one of our advisors will be in touch.

If you hold an Overseas Domestic Worker visa issued after 6 April 2012, you cannot extend your visa.

You are allowed to change your employer and work as a domestic worker until expiry of your visa. You will need to work for one employer, for a minimum of 30 hours per week, in one private household.  You have to be paid National Minimum Wage in the UK. Please see here for information about National Minimum Wage.

If your visa was issued after 6 April 2012 and it has now expired, you have overstayed your visa. Please contact Kalayaan for CONFIDENTIAL advice on your situation.

It is possible to switch from Domestic Worker Visa as a Victim of Human Trafficking into Health and Care Worker Visa. If you need advice regarding switching, please contact us for an advice.

As a domestic worker on a visa issued before April 2012, you can apply to bring your spouse or any dependent children (under 18) to join you in the UK for the time you have on your visa. However, they must be able to support and accommodate themselves without the need for any public funds.

If your visa was issued after April 2012, you cannot bring your spouse or dependent children.

If you already have indefinite leave to remain then the rules regarding bringing your husband and/or children to the UK changed on 9 July 2012 and you will now need to show a minimum income.

No. Your passport is proof that you have permission to stay in the UK. It is important that you keep this safe. Your employer should not keep it for you. If your employer is keeping your passport and refuses to return it to you, please contact Kalayaan for further advice.

If you are working in the home of a diplomat in the UK, your visa will initially be for 24 months, but you may apply to stay longer, up to 5 years, if your employer is still in the UK and you are still working for them. You do not have a right to apply for settlement after 5 years.

You are allowed to change employer once you are in the UK, but you can only work for someone as a domestic worker in their private household. You will not need permission to change employment, and you can stay until the end of your visa – if your new employer is not a diplomat you will not be able to stay longer in this category.