Information for international students

What are the restrictions on working for international students?

Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who were living in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021.

The EUSS means these individuals will be able to stay and continue to work, study and access benefits and services.

EU students do not currently have any restrictions on their working hours, but international students do and they must be vigilant to NOT exceed their visa allowances under any circumstances. Full guidance is available on the University's student visas and immigration pages.

You can get more detailed advice from UKCISA.

---

How many hours can I work during the holidays if I have a visa?

It will vary depending on your level of study and visa type.

Guidance on working during your period of study (login required) is available on the University's Student hub.

You can also speak to the International Student Support Team.

---

How many hours can an international student work each week?

It will depend on the limits of your visa.

Guidance on working during your period of study (login required) is available on the University's Student hub.

You can also speak to the International Student Support Team.

---

I am on a Student or Tier 4 visa, when can I work full-time hours?

Guidance on working during your period of study (login required) is available on the University's Student hub.

In summary:

• English Language Teaching Students - you can work full-time during vacations
• Undergraduate Students - you can work full-time during vacations
• Taught Postgraduate Students - you can work full-time during Christmas and Easter vacations
• Postgraduate Research Students - you are allowed up to 30 days annual leave per academic year, which must be agreed in advance by your supervisor. This only needs to cover Monday to Friday (not weekends) and so 30 days equates to 6 weeks. During approved periods of annual leave, you can work full-time.
• After studies - Following the successful completion of your course you will have been granted a wrap up period and during this time your visa will remain valid. You can work full-time during this period, however you still face the same restrictions on the types of work you are permitted to do.

---

What is an Employer Checking Service check?

The Employer Checking Service check (often referred to as an ECS check) is a way for the University, as an employer, to ask the Home Office to check an employee’s or potential employee’s immigration status if the employee cannot show the University their documents because of an outstanding appeal/review/application with the Home Office.

If the Home Office returns a Positive Verification Notice to one of these checks, that typically grants the employee up to 6 months eligibility to work in the UK while they await their documents.

A follow-up right to work check must be carried out by the University on or before the expiration date of a Positive Verification Notice.

---

I am waiting for a new Biometric Residence Permit/visa, what do I do?

If you are in the process of getting a new visa/BRP and you have been asked to work, the University can complete a check with the Home Office, with your permission. Please refer to ‘What is an Employer Checking Service check?’ question for further information.

---

Can I work for the University when I have graduated (international/EU students)?

Different rules apply to graduates who aren’t UK citizens who want to work in the UK after graduation. You can find more information on the Target Jobs website.

If the University offers you casual work after you have graduated, this will continue to be administered through the myJobshop system but if you are offered a contract of employment (whether for a fixed-term period, or permanent), you will be engaged as an employee of the University and not a casual worker, therefore this would be administered through a different system.

---

National Insurance Number - What is it, do I need one and who do I send it to?

Anyone who intends to work in the UK needs a National Insurance Number in order to ensure National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded against their name only.

Non-UK citizens have to apply for their number through the Gov.uk website (you should never be charged for a National Insurance Number, it is free).

When you accept an offer of work through the myJobshop system you’ll be asked for your National Insurance Number. If you don’t have one at that time, you can leave that field blank and then email your National Insurance Number through to the relevant myJobshop Team as soon as you have it: casualworkers@sheffield.ac.uk