International Students
Many international students are allowed to do some work whilst they study in the UK. However, this is not true for every international student, and even if you are allowed to work, there are certain restrictions on the type of work that you can take.
I am from the European Economic Area (EEA), can I work?
If you are a student from a country within the EEA or a Swiss national then you can work in the UK without any restrictions on the type or amount of work you undertake. Students are subject to the same tax and National Insurance contributions as UK students. The EEA includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and UK.
I am from one of the new European countries, can I work?
On May 1 2004, ten new countries joined the European Union, and from this date all citizens from these countries are free to work legally in the UK. However, the Government has decided that nationals from eight of these countries will be required to register with the Home Office if they start working in the UK after 1 May 2004 for a job that is to last more than one month. Nationals from Malta or Cyprus will not have to register. The eight countries are: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia
To register, call 08705 210 224 to order an application form. You must apply to register with the scheme within one month of starting your job, if you are to be working over 10 hours a week. It costs £70.
I am from outside the EEA, can I work?
You can check whether you can work or not by looking at the visa stamp in your passport.
Prohibited:
If your passport says either of the following statements then you are not allowed to work in the UK: No work or recourse to public funds (new style stamp since 07/00)
Or
Leave to enter/remain in the UK 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 business or profession, is hereby given for/until (time specified) (old style stamp pre 07/00)
Restricted:
If your passport says either of the following statements then you are allowed to work but there are restrictions, see the list below:
No recourse to public funds, work (and any changes) must be authorized (new style stamp since 07/00)
or
Leave to enter/remain in the UK 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 (time specified) (old style stamp pre 07/00)
Great, so I can work but what are these restrictions?
You can only work 20 hours per week during term time but are allowed to work full time during vacations. You can not set up your own business, you can not be self-employed, you do not work as a professional sports person or entertainer and you do not pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy
When I am working, do I have to pay income tax?
Yes, generally you will have to pay income tax on your earnings, however, if your total income from all sources is not more than £5225 (tax year 07/08) then you might be able to receive your wages without tax being deducted.
Do I need to pay national insurance?
You will need to apply for a National Insurance Number but you do not need to have received your NI number before you can start work. To apply you must make an appointment by calling 08456 000643
A job I've applied for has asked for a CRB check, what is this?
The CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check is a police check on your history that employers may require before they employ you. This is usually done if you are working with children or vulnerable adults. Your employer should give you a form to fill in and they should help you through the process. There is a fee for this which you may have to pay for.
