Before you accept the job: right-to-work, pay and questions worth asking in 2026

A first UK job can feel like relief: money coming in, routine, confidence, something to put on a CV. But before you accept, pause long enough to check the basics. A good opportunity should not require confusion about your right to work, pay, hours or documents.

For Arab and MENA women who are new to the UK, work questions can feel uncomfortable. You may not want to seem difficult. You may be used to saying yes quickly. You may worry that asking about pay or written terms will make an employer withdraw the offer. But clarity is not rudeness. It is part of working safely.

Right to work is specific to you

GOV.UK explains how eligible people can prove their right to work to an employer, often through an online share code. Student visa work conditions vary depending on the course, term-time status and the conditions attached to the visa. Do not rely on a friend’s hours or a WhatsApp group answer. Check your own visa/eVisa conditions and the official Student visa guidance. If you are unsure, ask your university international student team or a qualified adviser.

Pay should be written down

GOV.UK lists National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. The April 2026 rates shown on GOV.UK are £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over, £10.85 for ages 18 to 20, and £8.00 for under-18/apprentice rates. Rates change, so AWWN should re-check before publication and readers should check the official page. Still, the principle is stable: know the hourly rate before you start.

Ask: What is the hourly pay? How many hours are guaranteed? When will I be paid? Is training paid? Who records shifts? Will I receive a contract or written statement?

Be careful with pressure

Warning signs include vague pay, unpaid “trial” work with no explanation, pressure to work beyond your visa conditions, requests to leave original documents, cash arrangements you do not understand, or a manager who refuses to put anything in writing. Not every mistake is exploitation, but confusion benefits the person with more power.

What to do today

• Save the GOV.UK right-to-work and minimum wage pages.
• Draft a polite message asking for pay, hours and start date in writing.
• Check your own visa work conditions.
• Keep all job-offer messages and shift records.

This is general information, not legal, employment or immigration advice. A job should build your independence, not make you afraid to ask basic questions.

Sources checked

• GOV.UK prove right to work — accessed 14 September 2026
• GOV.UK Student visa — accessed 14 September 2026
• GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates — accessed 14 September 2026
• ACAS employment rights — accessed 14 September 2026

Last checked: 14 September 2026. General community information only; not legal, immigration, medical, employment or financial advice.

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