Can I take on a summer
job in the UK on a
student visa?

With exam season in full swing and the summer break approaching, many students are beginning to plan ahead by looking for temporary summer jobs.

However, if you are an international student in the UK on a Student visa, you should check if you are allowed to work in the UK before taking on a job. Most sponsored students are permitted to work in some capacity, but there are restrictions.

The main purpose of the Student and Child Student routes is for students to come to the UK to study. Where a student is permitted to work, the intention is that this should be to supplement their income whilst studying or as part of a work placement provided it is an integral and assessed part of the course.

Working on a Student visa

There are limits on the number of hours you can work whilst on a Student visa that depend on the type of course you are studying, the type of sponsor you have and whether you are working in or out of term time.

If you are studying a full-time course at degree level or above and the study is at a higher education provider (HEP) with a track record of compliance or an overseas higher education institution and you are on a short-term study abroad programme in the UK, then the following work is permitted:

  • Part-time during term time (up to a maximum of 20 hours a week)
  • Full-time during vacations, including the period before the course starts
  • On a work placement as part of the course
  • Full-time as a postgraduate doctor or dentist on a recognised foundation programme
  • As a Student Union Sabbatical Officer for up to 2 years.

If you are studying a full-time course that’s below degree level and the study is at a HEP with a track record of compliance, then the following work is permitted:

  • Part-time during term time (up to a maximum of 10 hours a week)
  • Full-time during vacations, including the period before the course starts
  • On a work placement as part of the course
  • As a Student Union Sabbatical Officer for up to 2 years.

If you are studying a full-time course at any level and your sponsor is not a HEP with a track record of compliance or an overseas higher education institution sponsoring a study abroad student, then only the following work is permitted:

  • On a work placement as part of the course (but only if the sponsor has student sponsor status)
  • As a Student Union Sabbatical Officer for up to 2 years.

If you are studying a part-time course at post-degree level, then no work is permitted, including work placements as part of your course.

Note: Any time spent working can be in addition to any time spent on a permitted work placement.

Work that is not allowed

If you do not fit into any of the categories listed above, you do not have permission to work in the UK.

If you are allowed to work based on the above, you should note that there are some restrictions on the type of work you can undertake. Students cannot:

  • Be employed as a professional sportsperson (including a sports coach)
  • Be employed as an entertainer
  • Be self-employed (except where you are waiting for a decision on an application for a Start-up visa)
  • Engage in business activity
  • Fill a full time, permanent vacancy (except on a recognised foundation programme or as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer).

Post-study work routes

If you have completed your studies and wish to remain in the UK after graduating, you will need to seek permission under an alternative route before your Student visa expires. The two most common routes for recent graduates wishing to work in the UK are the Graduate route and the Skilled Worker route.

The Graduate route gives you permission to stay in the UK and work or look for work at any skill level for at least 2 years after completing your studies. To apply, you must have successfully completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at an eligible UK institution. You must be already in the UK on a Student visa when you apply for a Graduate visa.

The Skilled Worker route allows you to stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved UK employer. There are more restrictions on the type of work you can do on this visa compared to the Graduate visa, and you will need to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer. However, time spent in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa counts towards your qualifying period for settlement, therefore this route is recommended over the Graduate route if you wish to stay in the UK permanently.

Considerations for student sponsors

Sponsors of international students have a duty to monitor and report on certain circumstances relating to their sponsored students. Sponsors should ensure that students are aware of the types of activities they are permitted to undertake in the UK, and the consequences of breaching the conditions of their visa.

If you have concerns about sponsored Students working illegally in the UK or who are otherwise breaching their conditions, you should ensure that you report such concerns to the Home Office. This is one of your duties as a licensed sponsor.

To learn more about compliance as a sponsor of international students, please speak to Smith Stone Walters.

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