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Entitlement
Dependants accepted by the UK as family members forming part of the household of members of diplomatic and consular missions are permitted to take employment in the UK without the need for a work permit from the Home Office. Dependent children in full time education may only take employment that is incidental to their studies. Protocol Directorate does not need to be informed when employment is taken and no permission need be sought, however, the provisions of any bilateral spouse/family employment agreements need to be observed.
Dependants of diplomats are unable to register with the Home Office for a Share Code in order to demonstrate to a prospective employer their entitlement to work in the UK . However, a UKVI issued diplomatic exempt vignette is considered an acceptable document for a manual right to work check, in accordance with Annex A, List A (4) of the Home Office’s ‘Employer’s guide to right to work checks’ – Employer’s guide to right to work checks (publishing.service.gov.uk) Therefore, a dependant’s diplomatic exempt vignette should be presented to an employer as evidence of right to take employment.
National Insurance
Dependants should register for National Insurance purposes if they:
- take up employment which attracts a liability for National Insurance contributions; and
- have never been registered before.
A person normally makes an application to register just before employment starts. Experience has shown that the process runs more smoothly if the applicant has a job offer in advance. Applications should be made online. Please note that applicants will be required to digitally upload a copy of their diplomatic exempt vignette in order to confirm their status in the UK.
Dependants of both diplomatic and administrative and technical members of staff who work in the UK lose their immunity from administrative and civil proceedings in relation to their employment, but not their immunity from criminal proceedings (Articles 31 and 37 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations).
Unmarried Partners
An unmarried partner who holds a valid United Kingdom entry clearance (visa) to accompany a member of a diplomatic or consular mission for the duration of his or her posting is entitled to take up employment. Partners in this category do not require work permits.
Dependants over the age of 18
Dependants over the age of 18 years who are not enrolled on a qualifying full-time course of education lose their status as a diplomatic/consular dependant and will cease to be exempt from UK immigration control. If they wish to remain in the UK and take full-time employment, they are required to obtain permission from the Home Office. Information about this can be found on the Home Office website.
Page Last Updated: 11 January 2024