Working on a UK visa

Can I get a UK work visa without a job offer?

Yes, some of the UK work visas listed in this article do not require you to have secured a job offer in the UK. However, please be aware that each UK work visa listed has its own eligibility requirements which must be met, and so, it is important that you look at the individual requirements.

What does ‘Dependents Restrictions Work No Sportsperson’ mean?

‘Dependents Restrictions Work No Sportsperson’ simply means that whilst you are permitted to work in the UK, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

Can you work in the UK on a Student visa?

The UK Student visa allows applicants over the age of 16 to come to the UK to study a course with a licensed student sponsor. In addition to being able to study in the UK, individuals with a Student visa are able to work in the UK, however, there are restrictions over their working hours.

Student visa working hours

Studying a degree-level course or above

If you are in the UK on a Student visa and are studying a degree-level course or higher then you can work for a maximum of 20-hours per week during term time. This 20-hour restriction is the total of all the hours worked across all jobs and volunteering activities. Therefore, if you work 15-hours a week somewhere then you are free to work or volunteer an additional 5-hours elsewhere. Whereas, if you work 20-hours a week at one place then you are not able to pick up work or volunteer elsewhere.

Outside of term time (e.g. holidays) there are no restrictions on how many hours you can work.

It is your responsibility to manage the amount of hours you work and it is your responsibility to inform your employer(s) if you pick up hours elsewhere so that they can manage their rota accordingly. Failure to comply with the restrictions of the Student visa may result in you losing your status in the UK and your employer may face severe consequences. 

Studying below degree level

If you are in the UK on a Student visa and are studying below degree-level then you can work for a maximum of 10-hours per week during term time. This 10-hour restriction is the total of all the hours worked across all jobs and volunteering activities. Therefore, if you work 5-hours a week somewhere then you cannot do more than 5 hours work elsewhere. Whereas, if you work 10-hours a week at one place then you are not able to pick up work or volunteer elsewhere.

Outside of term time (e.g. holidays) there are no restrictions on how many hours you can work.

It is your responsibility to manage the amount of hours you work and it is your responsibility to inform your employer(s) if you pick up hours elsewhere so that they can manage their rota accordingly. Failure to comply with the restrictions of the Student visa may result in you losing your status in the UK and your employer may face severe consequences. 

What do you mean by ‘outside of term time’?

‘Outside of term time’ refers to any vacation period. You must refer to your education institution’s term dates to find out what your vacation periods are.

‘Outside of term time’ also refers to the period (usually 4 or 6 months) after you have officially completed your course.

Type of work

The Student visa allows students to do a range of jobs, however, students cannot:

• Be self-employed.

• Work as a professional sportsperson or coach.

• Engage in business activity.

• Take employment as an entertainer.

• Fill a full-time permanent vacancy other than a recognised foundation programme or as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.

Salary

There is no minimum salary requirement which a graduate needs to satisfy. However, the National Minimum Wage still applies.

Information for employers: Right to work checks and the Student visa

When employing an individual on a Student visa (and every employee) it is important that a right to work check is conducted to ensure that they have permission to work in the UK. Information about right to work checks can be found here.

However, in addition to obtaining the relevant right to work documents and carrying out the right to work check it is important that you obtain a letter from the student’s education institution which outlines the following information:

• Their name.

• Their course.

• Their term time dates.

This letter must be obtained at the start of every academic year and by obtaining it you are able to see when the 10 or 20-hour restrictions apply and plan accordingly.

To read more about the Student visa head over to our dedicated page.

Can you work on a Graduate visa?

The Graduate visa allows individuals who were in the UK on a Student visa to continue to stay in the UK after their studies. The Graduate visa allows individuals to work and live in the UK and it has fewer employment restrictions than the Student visa.

Type of work

Individuals with a Graduate visa can undertake virtually any kind of work in the UK (including self-employment): the only restriction placed on individuals is that they cannot work in the UK as a professional sportsperson. The job(s) undertaken do not have to be related to the graduate’s degree of qualification.

Working hours

Unlike the Student visa, there is not a restriction on the number of hours which an individual on a Graduate visa can work or volunteer. 

Salary

There is no minimum salary requirement which a graduate needs to satisfy. However, the National Minimum Wage still applies.

Information for employers: Right to work checks and the Graduate visa

When employing an individual on a Graduate visa (and every employee) it is important that a right to work check is conducted to ensure that they have permission to work in the UK. Information about right to work checks can be found here.

If you have an employee who is looking to make the switch from the Student visa to the Graduate visa then it is important that you know when they apply for the Graduate visa. Once you know this information you will then need to carry out an Employer Checking Service check (ECS check) in order to confirm whether this application has been made in-time. If the ECS check confirms this, then you will have a statutory excuse to continue to employ the individual for a further six months. However, once the individual receives their biometric residence permit (BRP) you will be required to conduct a right to work check.

To read more about the Graduate visa head over to our dedicated page.

Working on a High Potential Individual visa (HPI visa)

The High Potential Individual visa enables graduates from some of the top universities around the world to come to the UK to work and live. Individuals are not required to have a job offer prior to applying for the visa or arriving in the UK.

Type of work

Individuals with a High Potential Individual visa can undertake virtually any kind of work in the UK (including self-employment): the only restriction placed on individuals is that they cannot work in the UK as a professional sportsperson. If an individual chooses to work in the UK then their employer is not required to sponsor them.

Working hours

There is not a restriction on the number of hours which an individual on a HPI visa can work or volunteer. 

Salary

There is no minimum salary requirement which an individual needs to satisfy. However, the National Minimum Wage still applies.

Information for employers: Right to work checks and the HPI visa

When employing an individual on a HPI visa (and every employee) it is important that a right to work check is conducted to ensure that they have permission to work in the UK. Information about right to work checks can be found here.

To read more about the High Potential Individual visa head over to our dedicated page.