No recourse to public funds

An introduction to the rules regarding access to public funds for UK immigrants

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The information below provides an overview of the rules regarding access to public funds for people who are subject to UK immigration control. You can view the complete guidance published by the United Kingdom Border Agency by visiting the following link:

UKBA guidance regarding access to public funds

If you are granted access to enter the UK for a limited period of time, one of the conditions that may be stamped into your passport is ‘No recourse to public funds’. Essentially this means that while you are in the UK the conditions of your stay stipulate that you are not able to gain access to public funds - a range of income related benefits, together with housing and homelessness support.

Your passport will be stamped ‘no recourse to public funds’ if you are from a country that is not a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and:

  • You are applying for limited leave to enter or remain in the UK - for instance, a work permit, student visa or marriage visa; or
  • You are currently in the UK with limited leave to enter or remain - for instance on a work permit, student visa or marriage visa; or
  • You are applying for further or indefinite leave to remain in the UK - for example, if you are applying for your work permit to be extended.

What are public funds?

Public funds include:

  • income-based jobseeker's allowance
  • income support
  • child tax credit
  • working tax credit
  • a social fund payment
  • child benefit
  • housing benefit
  • council tax benefit
  • state pension credit
  • attendance allowance
  • severe disablement allowance
  • carer's allowance
  • disability living allowance
  • an allocation of local authority housing
  • local authority homelessness assistance

What happens if I claim funds I am not allowed to receive?

There are very serious penalties if you unlawfully claim any type of benefit or support that counts as a public fund. Claiming public funds illegitimately is a breach of your conditions of entry to the UK, and breaching your conditions of entry is a criminal offence. Ultimately it may mean that your leave to remain in the UK is revoked, and you may also have applications for further or indefinite leave rejected.

What about other benefits and public services?

Public funds do not include the following work-related benefits, which are based on National Insurance contributions:

  • contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance
  • incapacity benefit
  • retirement pension
  • widows benefit and bereavement benefit
  • guardian’s allowance
  • statutory maternity pay
  • maternity allowance

Healthcare and education also do not count as public funds – although your immigration status may affect whether you are eligible for them.

If you would like to know more about access to public funds and your conditions of entry to the UK, please contact us.

Why Use Our Services?

We offer a free no-obligation visa assessment to help you find out if you’re eligible to immigrate to the UK in accordance with the latest UK immigration regulations.

If you choose to become a customer, for a fixed fee one of our experienced OISC registered consultants will manage your visa application through to a successful conclusion.

This includes advising on all of the documentation you will need to provide in support of your application, and subsequently collating, preparing and submitting a detailed application on your behalf. Where relevant we will also carry out labour market testing and immigration compliance audits, while also assisting with any additional authorisations or approvals required for your specific case.

Throughout the course of your application your dedicated Case Manager will guide and assist you every at step of the way, including liaising with all relevant government authorities and any third parties on your behalf.

Our goal is simple; to make achieving your immigration goal as stress-free as possible. To find out more about our services, please get in touch.