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Employing International Students

The table below provides details about employing international students.

Employing international students
Qualifying criteria	Students enrolled on a course for more than six months (those on a Student Visitor Visa - from 1 Sept 2007 - for 6 months cannot take up employment) Students who are EEA citizens have permission to work and do not need to apply for a student visa Student visa applicants must show intention and ability to study the course they have applied for Able to support self once in the UK Intention to return to country of origin at conclusion of studies (unless a degree-level student) Students granted a visa lasting less than six months are not usually granted permission to work
Permitted work	Students are usually granted permission to work part-time during term time (up to 20 hours per week) and full-time during vacations. Passport will state whether work is not permitted
Who applies where?	Applicant applies for student visa or entry clearance at British High Commission, embassy or consulate An application for further leave to remain as a student can only be made in-country (in the UK) to the Home Office if the applicant entered in this category Applicants may not switch into student from other categories once in the UK unless they are studying on a degree level course Permission to work is almost always granted in the passport stamp
Duration of leave	Up to three years May be extended for further study, depending on the type and duration of the course There is no maximum beyond which it may not be extended
Extending the leave	Students will often need to extend their leave to enter/remain and this is usually a routine application, providing they have been attending the course and passed any examinations. It is possible to extend the leave for short periods for examination retakes or thesis completion. The maximum permitted period of stay for a student on successive short courses below degree level is 2 years. A short course is defined as 'a course of less than 1 year's duration or longer courses broken off before completion.'
Applying for settlement	Students cannot apply for settlement directly, but a student who has successfully completed a degree level qualification at a UK university can apply for leave to remain in one of the immigration work categories such as: Work permit employment Highly skilled migrant programme Innovatory category
Family and dependents	Students may apply to bring dependent children under age of 18 and spouse.
Cost of application	See charges and fees

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