The immigration rules say that if you hold a Student Visa you can start working full-time hours / more than 20 hours per week once you have completed your programme or during official vacation periods.
It is your employers responsibility to decide if they want to allow you to work full time or not. To help them make this decision, the employer can refer to the following evidence which is available from the University:
- Your official results letter which shows you have completed your studies
- Your academic calendar which shows official vacation periods
This evidence should be acceptable, according to the UKVI Employer's Right to Work Guidance. If the employer is still not sure, they can contact UKVI directly, for their advice.
Many students have questions about this topic. There are some grey areas, and it can feel frustrating trying to figure out what type of evidence will allow your employer to feel happy about your right to work. Sometimes employers are confused, or may suggest to you that the university should decide when you can work full time hours, which is not quite correct.
This short article cannot cover all of the complexity of this topic; so we have much more support available for you in the following ways:
1. Please visit our working in the UK webpage for really detailed guidance and advice on when you can work full time hours when you hold a Student Visa, and how to show this to your employer
2. You will find within the working in the UK webpage information about how to attend one of our regular Working Conditions Workshops. Attending our workshop will help you if you have more detailed questions you need to discuss. It will give you access to a skilled Immigration Adviser, who will guide you on what the immigration rules allow
3. If you have sensitive or complex questions that you need to discuss relating to this topic, you can contact the International Student Advice Service