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Working in the Uk during your studies

Non-EEA Students

 
International students, whose entry stamp does not prohibit them from working, no longer have to obtain permission from the Secretary of State. It applies to non-EEA nationals and includes students who are on compulsory placement as part of their course.
 
There is, however, some restrictions on the number of hours and the kind of work you may do whilst studying:
 
You must not work for more than 20 hours a week during term time, except where the placement is a necessary part of your studies with the agreement of the University.
You should not engage in business, self-employment or the provision of services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer.
You should not pursue a career by filling a permanent full time vacancy.
 
However, you can take a Placement, which is part of a Sandwich Course. (Please see Section C).
 
The way in which a students financial means are assessed has also changed. If you are guaranteed part-time employment with The University of Bolton, this will be taken into account when you apply to renew your visa. However, this does not apply to any other type of employment.
 

European Students

 
If you are a national from the following countries you can work without obtaining permission:
 
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,  Sweden, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lativa, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
 

Conditions of Work Placement

 
If you are on a sandwich course or work placement related to your course it must:
 
Be clearly defined
Be explicitly approved by the University of Bolton
Lead to a degree awarded by a nationally recognised examining body
 
AND
 
The work placement must not extend beyond the end of the course.
 
If you have any questions relating to work placements you should contact your department and then seek further visa advice from the Advice Unit.
 
If you have a prohibition on your passport such as 'leave to enter for/until....no work or recourse to public funds' then you cannot apply for permission to work whilst you are studying.
 
If you do work then you will be committing a criminal offence, which could lead to prosecution and possible deportation. However, you can seek to have the prohibition lifted by the Home Office, which can prove to be very difficult. Contact the Advice Unit for more information.
 

Income Tax and National Insurance

 
You will need to obtain a National Insurance number once you have secured employment.
 
National Insurance Number Appointments
Appointments for National Insurance Numbers can be made by telephoning 0845 6000643.  The advice Unit can help to arrange your appointment for interview. The interview may take up to two hours. The purpose of the interview is to confirm your identity and verify details of your employment.  Appointments are usually offered within 2 weeks.
 
Please remember, if you fail to produce sufficient evidence of these it may be necessary to terminate your interview.
 
If you are about to start work - you will need written confirmation from your employer of this.
 
If you are already working - you will need to provide either your contract of employment or letter from your employer confirming the date you started work, your position and at least three wage slips.
 
If you have worked in the past - but are not working now, you will need to bring in your wage slips or a P60 relating to the employment.

You are strongly advised to take as much evidence of your identity and employment as you can, in particular documents clearly showing your name, address, date of birth or photograph.
 
Listed below are the types of documents accepted by the Benefits Agency. It is not an exhaustive list; please contact us if you need further advice.
 
Full current passport and any previous passports
All Home Office letters, NASS or Social Security letters, solicitors letters
Birth Certificate
NHS Medical Card
Marriage Certificate (in English)
Passport of your spouse
Your Identity Card
Police Registration Certificate
Your University of Bolton identity card and Students' Union NUS Extra card
Letter from the Student Centre
Any other course correspondence
Proof of your current address - paid utility bills, rental agreements, tenancy agreement, letter from landlord, rent card
Bank statements, credit and store card statements
Any other document you feel will help prove your identity
 
As well as National Insurance, the law requires everyone who works to pay income tax to the Inland Revenue. The first £5,035 (2006/2007) of annual income is tax-free. If you do not earn this amount during the current financial year, which runs from 5 April 2006 until 4 April 2007, it may be possible for your employer not to deduct income tax in the first place by completing a P46 or P38 (S). You can obtain this form from the local tax office based in Churchgate, Bolton. If you do have to pay then you will be entitled to a tax rebate at the end of the tax year. The Inland Revenue will process this automatically or you may have to submit your P60.
 
Everyone in the UK is subject to the UK taxation rules: therefore, whether you are a home or international student (and your dependants) you are required to pay National Insurance (NI) contributions. If you have permission to work and have been offered a job, you will have to apply for an NI number (as above) at the local office of the Benefits Agency.
 
The Benefits Agency will not process a request for an NI number if you have not already secured a job.
 
Students from the following nations:
 
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia.
 
If you are a citizen of one of these nations and you want to work for an employer for over 1 month on a part-time basis or during the vacation periods, please read this important information:
 
YOU MUST register with the "Worker Registration Scheme" to receive a card and certificate which will allow you to work in the UK. This must be done when you start working. Working without registering with the Scheme is illegal after one month of work. A payment of £90 must be made to register.
 
YOU CANNOT register before you start working. You cannot register while you are looking/applying for work.
Contact the Worker Registration Team for further information on 0114 207 6022 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or E-mail: WRS@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk 
 
You can download the application for (WRS) from the following website or can telephone 08705 210 224. Website: http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk
 

Dependants of a Student

If your spouse has been granted 12 months or more leave to remain in the UK as your dependant, then she/he can obtain employment without having to obtain permission. They are allowed to do any type of job and for as many hours as they wish. If your dependants have been given less than 12 months to remain, they will be prohibited from taking any employment.

 

The National Minimum wage

 
The national minimum wage became law in April 1999. ALL employers are now required by law to pay the following hourly rates (as a minimum) to all their staff:
 

Age	Payment	Commencing From
Aged between 16 & 17	£3.40	01.10.2007
Aged between 18 & 21	£4.60	01.10.2007
Aged 22 or over	£5.52	01.10.2007

 
The Job Shop
The Job shop is a free and confidential employment service, which is available to all students studying at The University of Bolton. The Job Shop can assist you to obtain part time/temporary employment during your studies. It acts as a central point for employers to advertise their vacancies. It can also provide information on issues such as National Insurance and Income Tax.

For more information contact the Job Shop on Ext 3488
 
Useful Contacts
Bolton Job Centre
Blackhorse Street
Bolton
Tel:01204 516516