Kingston University London

Working in the UK

• What rules govern international students and employment?
• What does my Resident Permit, Entry Clearance or Visa Stamp mean?
• Where can I find out more?
• What else do I need to know?
• What kind of jobs are available in Kingston?
• Can I work in the UK after I graduate?

Please read this information alongside our immigration advice.

What rules govern international students and employment?

The following EEA nationals, plus nationals from Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, are free to take employment without having to register or seek any kind of permission to work in the UK:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Spain
• Sweden
• the United Kingdom

This also applies to the dependants of these nationals (providing they are also EEA nationals from the countries listed above).

If you are a national of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia ('A8' countries) you must register as a worker under the Accession State 'Worker Registration Scheme' (unless you are exempt) . For more information, read the UKCISA Guidance Note 'EEA and Swiss Students'.

If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania ('A2' countries) you must obtain work authorisation if you want to work in the UK (unless you are exempt). To do so, you must apply to the Home Office for a registration certificate using form BRI, which will confirm that you are studying at Kingston University (an institution included on the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills' Register of Education and Training Providers). For more detailed information, read the UKCISA Guidance Note 'EEA and Swiss Students'.

Students who are non-EEA nationals should check the immigration stamp in their passport. You need to see what conditions the UK immigration authorities have imposed on you about employment.

What does my Resident Permit, Entry Clearance or Visa Stamp mean?

If the Resident Permit (allowing temporary leave to enter and remain in the UK) or Entry Clearance/Visa Stamps includes the following wording then you can work in the UK providing you meet certain conditions. This is classed as a work restriction:

• "Limited leave to remain in the UK. No recourse to public funds. Able to work as authorised by The Secretary of State"
  
  
• "No recourse to public funds. Work (and any changes) must be authorised."
  
  
• Leave to enter for/until . . . No recourse to public funds. Work (and any changes) must be authorised."
  
  
• "Leave to enter the United Kingdom on condition that the holder maintains and accommodates himself and any dependants without recourse to public funds and does not enter or change employment paid or unpaid without the consent of the Secretary of State for Employment and does not engage in business or profession without the consent of the Secretary of State for the Home Department is hereby given for/until . . . "

Under no circumstances should a student with a work prohibition undertake employment. Work prohibition stamps have the following wording:

• "Leave to enter for/until . . . No work or recourse to public funds"
  
  
• "Leave to enter the United Kingdom on condition that the holder maintains and accommodates himself and any dependants without recourse to public fund, does not enter employment paid or unpaid and does not engage in business or profession, is hereby given for/until . . ."
  
  
• "Limited leave to remain in the UK. No recourse to public funds. No work or engaging in business."
  

Where can I find out more?

For further advice and details:

• visit the Borders and Immigration Agency website;
• read the UKCISA Guidance Note 'Working in the UK During Your Studies'; or
• contact Kingston University's international student advisers.

What kind of jobs are available in Kingston?

There are hundreds of part-time and temporary jobs around the Kingston area, which can help fund your lifestyle and gain skills to add to your CV. For examples of some of the shops and restaurants in Kingston, visit Kingston First's business directory.

What else do I need to know?

• If you are coming from a country where it is not compulsory to get entry clearance (a visa) as a student (such as non-visa nationals studying for short courses of six months or less) and wish to take part time employment, you will need to get entry clearance (a visa) before travelling to the UK. Please see www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
  
  
• We also have advice for students with families.

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