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Employing International Students
From April 2009 non-EEA students must enter the UK via Tier 4 of the Points Based System - universities and colleges must sponsor individuals to study at their institutions. However, most of these students are allowed to do some work and the following table expalins the number of hours allowed and restrictions.
| European Economic Area (EEA) students |
Students who are EEA nationals (or Swiss) have permission to work. However, students from Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia need to apply for a registration certificate (if they wish to work for an employer) under the
Bulgarian and Romanian students may take employment for up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during official vacations from their course but they require a
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| Background to Tier 4 | Tier 4 came into effect in April 2009 as part of the Points Based System.
Adult (also known as general) students are people who come to the UK for post-16 education. Child students are people coming to the UK to be educated between 4 and 17 years. The individual and the education provider can agree whether or not the person applies as a child or adult student if they are between 16 or 17. |
| Non-EEA students and work |
Adult students are allowed to work:
The work they do must not fill a full-time permanent vacancy (other than on a recognised Foundation Programme). In addition, individuals must not be self-employed, be employed as a doctor (other than on a recognised Foundation Programme) or as a professional sportsperson or entertainer. Child students (if they are 16 or older) are allowed to work:
The work they do must not fill a full-time permanent vacancy. In addition, individuals must not be self-employed, be employed as a doctor in training or as a professional sportsperson or entertainer. |
| Student Visitor |
Student visitors are granted leave for up to 6 months and are not permitted to work in the UK. Neither are they allowed to engage in business, proudce goods or serviceswithin the UK, including selling goods or services direct to members of the public. |
| Applying for settlement |
Time in the Tier 4 Student category does not count towards settlement but a student who has successfully completed a relevant qualification at a UK educational institution can apply for leave to remain in one of the immigration work categories such as:
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| Cost of application | See charges and fees |
Worker Registration Scheme
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