WORKING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
When you apply to and are accepted by a UK university, it is understood that you will have access to funds to support you for your time in the UK. Indeed you may have to sign a financial declaration to this effect, and UK immigration authorities often question incoming students about this (UK students entering the US face the same situation!)
However, many students do want to get internships or try to obtain part-time work in shops, restaurants or similar venues to help towards the costs of being in the UK and these notes outline the basic procedures to be followed to obtain permission to work. The ease with which you find a job obviously depends on your contacts, the state of the economy nationally and the work situation in the local neighbourhood.
Since 21 June 1999, there have been significant changes in the regulations which have made it easier for some overseas students to work in the UK but it is still illegal to work without permission: the penalties are severe for working without permission, up to and including deportation.
The
following website gives you all the detailed information you need: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/StartingANewJob/DG_10026524
1 Using the BUNAC 'blue card'...
This card acts as a work permit and holders can look for work knowing they have permission in advance to take up and jobs offered. It is valid for six months from the date of entry into the UK. Go to www.bunac.org for details. The London office holds daily orientations and provides info on job opportunities. The Edinburgh office has orientations three times a week. You can apply for a card through the London office if you want to stay in the UK for work for a short time after completing your studies. But contact them at 16 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0QH (tel: 020 7251 3472, email: enquiries@bunac.org.uk) for full details, especially if you aren't sure about how long you can stay in the UK.
2 For all other students looking for part-time work while studying...
If you have come to study in the UK for more than six months you will have applied for 'pre-entry clearance'* and can expect to be recognised as a student on entry and receive a 'restriction' stamp in your passport at Immigration. The normal wording reads:
"Leave to enter for/until ......... No recourse to public funds. Work (and any changes) must be authorised"
With this stamp you have no need to obtain a work permit from a Jobcentre as in June 1999 the Secretary for Employment gave general permission to all students with this stamp in their passports to work for no more than 20 hours a week in term-time and full-time during vacations.
If you are coming to the UK for less than six months and wish to undertake paid or unpaid work you are strongly advised to apply for 'pre-entry clearance'. If you will be in the UK for less than six months and have not applied for 'pre-entry clearance' you will be admitted as a 'visitor' and receive the 'prohibition' stamp in your passport, which means that taking a job is not permitted.
* These are new regulations, applying to US, Canadian and some other 'non-visa nationals', which came into effect on 13 November 2003. More changes are in the pipeline!