Employment and the UK Student Visa
Can I work on a Student Visa UK?
Yes, you can work on a UK Student Visa. However, there are some restrictions on how many hours you can work per week.
How many hours can I work on a Student Visa in the UK?
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to work up to 20 hours per week on a Student Visa in the UK. However, please refer to the list below to understand the exact amount of hours you will be able to work on a Student Visa in the UK.
- If you are an international student studying at degree level or above and currently hold a UK Student Visa, you can work for up to 20 hours per week during term time.
- If you are an international student studying below degree level and currently hold a UK Student Visa, you can work for up to 10 hours per week during term time.
It is important to note that this restriction to your working hours is a combination of all the jobs or volunteering activities which you do. For instance, say you are studying a course at a degree level if you work for 10 hours per week in a paid position and also volunteer for 5 hours per week, then the remaining hours available for work or volunteering would be a maximum of 5 hours per week.
Can you work outside of term time on a Student Visa?
Yes, outside of term time these restrictions to your working hours do not apply, therefore, you can work full-time outside of term time.
It is important to note that the term "outside of term time" also encompasses the period after an individual has officially completed their course, which is typically 4 to 6 months. For example, students studying for a three-year degree in the UK are granted a three-year immigration status along with an additional 4 to 6 months to attend their graduation and make any necessary changes to their immigration status. During this post-study period, individuals are permitted to work full-time, but it's worth noting that they cannot be offered a permanent contract during this time.
What happens if I work over 20 hours on a Student Visa UK?
If you work over 20 hours on a Student Visa UK then you will be in breach of your visa conditions. If you breach your visa conditions then this may have implications for your current visa and future visas.
Employing someone on a Student Visa in the UK
As a UK Human Resources professional, it's crucial to ensure that all personnel involved in assigning work hours, such as managers, are fully aware of the work restrictions pertaining to Student Visas and the specific periods when students are eligible to work full-time.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in serious consequences, as exemplified by the 2012 incident where Tesco was fined £200,000 for allowing individuals on Student visas to work up to 70 hours per week during term time. By properly educating and informing all personnel involved in staffing decisions, these violations can be prevented.
It's worth noting that there is no specific minimum salary requirement when hiring an individual with a UK Student Visa. Nonetheless, it's important to adhere to the National Minimum Wage requirement.
Right-to-work checks and Student Visas
When employing individuals with a UK Student Visa, it is important to obtain the correct right-to-work documents prior to their first day at work. In the case of individuals holding a Student Visa, the following steps should be followed:
- Obtain the relevant document(s) and share.
- Verify the document either through a manual right-to-work check or an online right-to-work check.
- Create a copy of the documents and right-to-work checks and note the expiry date.
Furthermore, it is essential to obtain a letter from the individual's university or education institution confirming their enrollment, course details, and term time dates. This letter should be obtained at the start of each academic year to ensure that you are aware of the 10 or 20-hour rules that apply, as well as when full-time work is permitted. By following these procedures, you can ensure that you comply with all relevant regulations and avoid any potential issues.
How can Paragon Law help?
At Paragon Law our immigration lawyers have established relationships with several universities across the UK and regularly host events for their enrolled students. Therefore, individuals looking to study in the UK can be assured that Paragon Law's expert immigration lawyers are able to assist them in the process. Ensuring everyone involved is aware of mandatory rules and regulations.
