Came on a visitor visa and didn't get paid?
Modern Slavery Helpline — confidential, 24/7.
I came to the UK on a visitor visa, I was made to work, and they haven't paid me. I need help.
I came to the UK on a visitor visa, I was made to work, and they haven't paid me. I need help.
- Passport details (series, number)
- Visa type (visitor, tourist or other)
- Where you worked (address, name)
- Who offered you the job and what they promised
- What and how much they owe you
- The call is confidential — they will not automatically tell the Home Office
- They speak 200+ languages, including Russian
- Free, 24 hours a day
Если босс угрожает вам, держит ваш паспорт, не выпускает вас или ограничивает свободу — это экстренная ситуация.
Modern Slavery Helpline08000 121 700
More details — expand if needed
Working on a visitor visa is not allowed — but you still have the right to be paid
Working on a Standard Visitor visa is not allowed. Any paid or unpaid work. Self-employment is also not allowed.
However, this does not mean you cannot get your money back. UK courts (Hounga v Allen [2014] UKSC 47, Okedina v Chikale [2019]) recognise certain claims — especially if you were misled about your status or conditions. Do not go to a Tribunal without a specialist.
If this looks like trafficking or forced labour
If someone promised you legal work but then forced you to work differently — this could be trafficking. Or if they took your documents, threatened you, did not let you leave, or created a debt.
The Modern Slavery Helpline will guide you through the NRM (National Referral Mechanism). A Positive Reasonable Grounds decision pauses Home Office action and gives you a recovery period of 30+ days with housing and support.
ATLEU 020 7700 7311 also helps with this route — legal aid, confidential.
Risks of working on a visitor visa
Working on a visitor visa is a breach of the Immigration Act 1971. This can lead to: refusal of future visas, a ban on entry, and in serious cases — criminal liability.
That is why the Modern Slavery Helpline and ATLEU are the first step. They work in your interest and will find a path with the least risk for you.
If you are afraid of the Home Office
The Modern Slavery Helpline does not automatically share your data. If there is an NRM referral — this gives temporary protection from removal while the process is ongoing.
ATLEU works under legal professional privilege. They cannot share information without your consent.
Sources
- Standard Visitor visa rules — gov.uk
- Modern Slavery Act 2015
- Hounga v Allen [2014] UKSC 47
- Okedina v Chikale [2019] EWCA Civ 1393
- modernslaveryhelpline.org
- atleu.org.uk