Working while studying
If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student and want to work during your studies, check that the type and amount of work is allowed by your visa as well as making sure it fits in with your course. Not keeping to your student visa work permission could have serious consequences for your current visa and any future visa applications, and your employer could face penalties.
Should I work while I study?
The information on this page is about visa restrictions on working for Student visas granted under the Student Route or Tier 4 visas (issued before that route was renamed in October 2020) both referred to as 'Student visa' below. You will also need to balance the opportunities of possible part time work experience with your own wellbeing, the demands of study and in line with University guidelines.
Special note if you have both a Student Visa and a European Health Insurance Card. Some EHIC holders might be eligible for reimbursement of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) paid as part of your Student Visa application. However this refund may only be available if you do not work or intend to work in the UK. For a more detailed explanation see our information on IHS.
If you have a Student visa for full-time degree level study
Your 90 day travel vignette or your eVisa should indicate that you have restricted work permission, for example:
- Student Work limit 20 hrs p/w term time
When you view your eVisa you should find detailed information on your work permission.
If you have a Student visa granted for full-time degree level study but it does not appear to have the correct work permission, for example your vignette or eVisa states ‘no work’, or refers to a 10 hour limit, email [email protected] to find out if this should be changed.
You are not allowed to work at all if you have a Student visa to study a course part-time.
Working conditions
Checks that an employer will need to carry out before you start work
Your employer must check that you are allowed to do the amount and type of work that they are offering. They will need to see and record your visa permission as shown on your eVisa, for in formation on how to provide an employer with a share code, go to UKVI's page, Prove your right to work to an employer. Your employer may also ask you to provide evidence of your term and vacation dates to clarify when you may work more than 20 hours per week. This could be in the form of:
- a printout from the University’s website showing these dates
- a copy of a letter to you or an original letter direct to the employer from the University confirming the dates you are on vacation. For graduate research students we recommend asking your supervisor to write you the letter on departmental notepaper.
The UK government has published guidance for employers on carrying out right to work checks.
To find out more about your employer’s responsibilities, visit the UKCISA website.
Working for the University or an Oxford college
You may be offered part time work at one or more University departments or Oxford University Colleges or Permanent Private Halls, in administrative, teaching or other roles. You can read the University’s information on employing students. You will be asked to complete a Student Employment Declaration before starting work. As well as your own responsibility to ensure that you don't breach your Student visa work conditions, the University's Staff Immigration Team will collate information on hours worked to ensure that you are not being employed in excess of the 20 hour limit without permission. This is particularly important if you are working for two or more colleges or departments.
The College Student Visa Monitoring Service
Planned working hours will be recorded and collated by the College Student Visa Monitoring Service which provides an online time-sheet system, which students and/or their employing colleges can use to record hours on a weekly basis.
The service will not provide employing colleges with details of a student’s other employment, except to highlight the number of hours that are being worked each week.
If you are going to be working for a college, you should receive an email confirming they have informed the College Student Visa Monitoring Service. If you are worried you haven't received confirmation, speak to your employing college or email the service at [email protected]
Obtaining a National Insurance Number and paying tax
You must apply for a National Insurance Number (NINo) if you start working in the UK (including any form of teaching at Oxford). A NINo is an individual account number used for recording National Insurance and tax contributions from your pay. If you are thinking about starting work you can apply for a NINo before you get a job. To get a NINo you need to apply online from the government website. After you apply, you will receive an email with your application reference number and the email will tell you if you need to provide further proof of your identity. It can take up to 4 weeks to get your NINo after you have proved your identity.
You will be liable for UK income tax on employment earnings above the specified personal allowance set each year. Your employer will deduct this from your wages and show the amount on your wage slip. If you pay too much tax, you will be able to claim a refund.
If you have a visa as a Standard Visitor or were given permission on arrival to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor
Visitors are completely prohibited from working in the UK, either paid or unpaid.
Dependants’ permission to work
A family member over 18 who is eligible for and has obtained a visa as your Student visa dependant will be able to work without an hours limit or be self employed in the UK. Family members are not allowed to work as a doctor or dentist in training if their visa or BRP lists this restriction (subject to exceptions), or as a sportsperson/coach
Implications of working in breach of conditions
It is a criminal offence to do any work for which you do not have permission under your visa, including working over the 20 hours per week when that limit applies, or doing prohibited types of work. As well as the possibility of conviction of a prison sentence of up to six months or an unlimited fine, a breach could lead to removal from the UK or refusal of future immigration applications and/or a time bar on returning to the UK. An employer who gives you work which breaches the conditions of your visa, or who does not properly check your right to work may be committing an offence.