Working During Your Studies
PERMISSION TO WORK
International students studying at UK Institutions and who are not nationals of a European Economic Area (EEA) Country may take employment as long as their visa does not state that they are prohibited from doing so. The conditions covering the hours and type of work they may do are:
- the student should not work for more than 20 hours per week during term time except where the placement is a necessary part of their studies with the agreement of the education institution.
- the student should not engage in business, self employment or the provision of services as a professional sports person or entertainer.
- the student should not pursue a career by filling a permanent full time vacancy.
- the student can work as many hours as s/he wants during vacations.
You will need to apply for a NI number when you take up employment. Call the National Insurance appointment line on 0845 6000643 to make an appointment at a regional centre. You will need to take with you, your passport as well as proof of your student status i.e. term dates letter.
Which students are allowed to work?
Students from most EEA countries and Switzerland can work in the UK without any restrictions on the hours they work.
Students from Romania and Bulgaria are permitted to work only 20 hours per week in term-time and can work full-time during vacations or during a work placement that is part of your course. They must register as part of the Worker Authorisation Scheme and can do so free of charge.
Students from Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia will be subject to the Accession State Worker Registration Scheme. You need to register if you plan to work for more than one month for an employer in the UK. You will need to complete the form WRS available from Borders and Immigration Agency.
How do I know if I can work?
Students with full overseas visas can work up to twenty hours per week term time and unlimited hours during vacations. Short-term students (with visas of six months or less) will have an employment prohibition stamped upon their passport.
To be allowed to work, the condition that you have about employment needs to be a 'restriction', rather than a 'prohibition' on work. If you are coming for a course of more than 6 months, you can expect to be given a 'restriction' on work.
What does a 'restriction' on working look like?
B Leave to enter/remain in the United Kingdom on condition that the holder maintains and accommodates himself and any dependants without recourse to public funds and does not enter or change employment paid or unpaid without the consent of the Secretary of State for Employment and does not engage in business or profession without the consent of the Secretary of State for the Home Department is hereby given for/until (specified time).
A visa that allows you to work will probably look like this:
What does a 'prohibition' on working look like?
D Leave to enter/remain in the United Kingdom on condition that the holder maintains and accommodates himself and any dependants without recourse to public funds, does not enter employment paid or unpaid and does not engage in any business or profession, is hereby given for/until (specified time).
What work am I allowed to do during my studies?
Provided your most recent conditions include a 'restriction' (rather than a 'prohibition') on working, you are allowed to:
3. if you are on a degree course, take a 3 month internship.
However, you must not:
- pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy.
When making immigration applications, can I refer to my earnings from work?
To meet the Immigration Rules for students, you must show that you have enough money to support yourself without needing to work. You cannot, therefore, refer to your earnings when showing how you will support yourself.
However, there are two exceptions to this general rule:
2. If you are going to be studying at a publicly-funded institution of further or higher education (rather than a private college), and that institution can guarantee that they will be able to offer you some work themselves. Provided they are prepared to give you a letter confirming how much they will pay you, then you can refer to those earnings.
Is my husband/wife/civil partner allowed to work?
When the UK immigration authorities give your husband/wife/civil partner permission to be in the UK, they put a sticker or stamp in their passport telling them what conditions apply to their stay.
If those conditions match E or F below, your husband or wife is allowed to do any type of work, for as many hours each week as they wish.
H Leave to enter/remain in the United Kingdom on condition that the holder maintains and accommodates himself and any dependants without recourse to public funds, does not enter employment paid or unpaid and does not engage in any business or profession is hereby given for/until (specified time).
How do I persuade employers that I am allowed to work?
Give them a copy of the Government leaflet 'International students working in the UK - what you need to know'. You can obtain it by clicking on this link www.dfes.gov.uk/international-students/workleaflet.pdf or from the Advice and Support Centre.
I want to stay in the UK to work after I complete my studies
Non EEA and Swiss nationals, please see the page on this website entitled "Working in the UK after my studies"
If you are a student nurse, you can contact:
Tel: 0845 4566766 Monday-Friday 12pm-2pm
Latest Local News
Husband fights to stay in the UK
An American man who moved to England to keep a promise to his dying wife has been told he has three months to leave the country.
Posts could go at crisp factory
Up to 300 jobs could go at a crisp factory in the West Midlands after the company lost a vital contract.
Strike-hit bins stay unemptied
Residents of a town are told waste not picked up during a strike will have to wait until the next collection date.
