International students: Working in the UK Martin Donkin International Students Adviser

International students: Working in the UK Working during your studies Working during your studies Tier 1 (Post Study Work) replaced IGS and SEGS in June 2008 Tier 1 (Post Study Work) replaced IGS and SEGS in June 2008 Tier 1 (General) replaced HSMP in June 2008 Tier 1 (General) replaced HSMP in June 2008 Tier 2 for sponsored skilled workers replaced Work Permit November 2008 Tier 2 for sponsored skilled workers replaced Work Permit November 2008 Staying in the UK for another reason Staying in the UK for another reason Earnings and taxes Earnings and taxes National Insurance number National Insurance number

Working during your studies Most students who are in the UK 6 months or more: “able to work as authorised by the Secretary of State” You can work Short-term students, some others: Employment and recourse to public funds prohibited’ ‘No work or recourse to public funds’ You cannot work

Working during your studies maximum 20 hours a week during term-time maximum 20 hours a week during term-time No limit between end of your course and the end of your visa (should be Oct 31 for UG, Jan 31 for PG) No limit between end of your course and the end of your visa (should be Oct 31 for UG, Jan 31 for PG) Not because you need the money for living costs Not because you need the money for living costs No self-employment No self-employment No professional sports or entertainment No professional sports or entertainment No permanent career vacancy No permanent career vacancy

Tier 1 (Post Study Work) In June 2008 it replaced International Graduate Scheme (IGS), Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS) Allows students to work in the UK for up to 24 months after completing their course Transitional status to other longer-term work statuses like Tier 1 General (formerly HSMP) and Tier 2 (formerly the Work Permit scheme)

Who can apply for PSW? Must not have not done PSW IGS or SEGS before Must not have not done PSW IGS or SEGS before Must achieve 75 points for attributes + 10 points for maintenance + and 10 points for English language If applying in the UK, must have a student status. If applying in the UK, must have a student status.

Who can apply for PSW? 75 points from attributes: UK recognised degree (20 points) UK recognised degree (20 points) from UK recognised or listed body including QM (20) from UK recognised or listed body including QM (20) studied with immigration status as student or dependant (20) studied with immigration status as student or dependant (20) Applying within 12 months of notification of qualification (15) Applying within 12 months of notification of qualification (15)

Who can apply for PSW? + 10 points for maintenance £800 in your personal account for at least 3 months, statement dated no more than 1 month before application £2800 if applying outside the UK +10 points for English language Automatic if you have 75 points for attributes

Where and how to apply In the UK Form Tier 1 (PSW) Form Tier 1 (PSW) At an embassy in your own country Form VAF9 Form VAF9 Read the guidance: Attend an advice session at the Advice and Counselling Service (check website for dates) Attend an advice session at the Advice and Counselling Service (check website for dates)

When to apply As soon as you can show that you have successfully completed your course, and that you satisfy the maintenance requirement; or As soon as you can show that you have successfully completed your course, and that you satisfy the maintenance requirement; or In the UK anytime before your student permission expires (should be +4 months); or In the UK anytime before your student permission expires (should be +4 months); or In your home country up to 12 months after receiving your result In your home country up to 12 months after receiving your result 4-14 weeks postal application in UK (£400) 4-14 weeks postal application in UK (£400) In person “same-day” service at Croydon (£600) In person “same-day” service at Croydon (£600)

What else? You can apply for PSW once only You can apply for PSW once only Sponsored students (fees and maintenance) must get approval of sponsor Sponsored students (fees and maintenance) must get approval of sponsor Your dependants can switch to PSW dependant as part of your application if they are already in the UK as your dependant. If they are here with another status, they need to apply in home country. Your dependants can switch to PSW dependant as part of your application if they are already in the UK as your dependant. If they are here with another status, they need to apply in home country. Unmarried and same sex partners can be dependants for PSW, but not for a student Unmarried and same sex partners can be dependants for PSW, but not for a student Does not lead directly to settlement (ILR) only as part of 10 years long residence Does not lead directly to settlement (ILR) only as part of 10 years long residence

When to start work Student rules: you can work full time between the end of your course and the end of your student permission (and beyond, if you are still waiting for the PSW decision) you can work full time between the end of your course and the end of your student permission (and beyond, if you are still waiting for the PSW decision)BUT You cannot fill a full time permanent career vacancy You cannot fill a full time permanent career vacancy You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer

What kind of work? No restrictions: Not connected to your course Not connected to your course Can be temporary Can be temporary Can be part time Can be part time Can be full time Can be full time Can be permanent Can be permanent Can be self-employment Can be self-employment

After (or during) PSW Switch to Tier 1 General as soon as you are eligible Switch to Tier 1 General as soon as you are eligible Switch to Tier 2 after 6 months in the same job under PSW Switch to Tier 2 after 6 months in the same job under PSW Switch to Tier 2 for a sponsored skilled job Switch to Tier 2 for a sponsored skilled job Switch back to student (but no more PSW) Switch back to student (but no more PSW) Work for up to 2 years then go home Work for up to 2 years then go home

Tier 1 General highly skilled workers 75 Points for: educational qualifications educational qualifications Recent earnings Recent earnings UK experience UK experience Age Age 10 points (each) for: English language English language Available maintenance funds (£800) Available maintenance funds (£800)

Tier 1 (General) highly skilled workers Specialist skills and experience Specialist skills and experience Points-based system: 75 points needed for qualifications, recent earnings, UK experience and age Points-based system: 75 points needed for qualifications, recent earnings, UK experience and age No sponsor No sponsor Most new graduates are not eligible Most new graduates are not eligible Can switch from PSW as soon as you are eligible Can switch from PSW as soon as you are eligible 3 years initially, then 2 more 3 years initially, then 2 more Can apply for ILR after 5 years Can apply for ILR after 5 years

Tier 2 sponsored skilled workers Allows licensed employers to hire someone to come to the UK to do a specific job for a specific period, up to 5 years. Allows licensed employers to hire someone to come to the UK to do a specific job for a specific period, up to 5 years. Employer applies for Certificate of Sponsorship for every Tier 2 applicant (£170) Employer applies for Certificate of Sponsorship for every Tier 2 applicant (£170) More work and expense for employer than PSW, but some employers may still prefer it. More work and expense for employer than PSW, but some employers may still prefer it. Must be a genuine vacancy. Unless a shortage occupation, vacancy must be advertised nationally and have no suitable existing local person for the job Must be a genuine vacancy. Unless a shortage occupation, vacancy must be advertised nationally and have no suitable existing local person for the job Further concession for those on PSW: you can switch to Tier 2 after working in same job for 6 months. Further concession for those on PSW: you can switch to Tier 2 after working in same job for 6 months. ILR after 5 years ILR after 5 years

Other schemes An elected sabbatical post with the Students Union: 12 months, then go home or continue studies An elected sabbatical post with the Students Union: 12 months, then go home or continue studies Tier 5 (Youth Mobility) for nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand: 2 years Tier 5 (Youth Mobility) for nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand: 2 years An established artist An established artist Start a business with Start a business with £200,000 £200,000 Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Tier 1 (Investor) Tier 1 (Investor)

Staying in the UK for another reason. Can you work? Spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner or same sex partner of a settled person: 2 years initially, then ILR. Can work throughout. Spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner or same sex partner of a settled person: 2 years initially, then ILR. Can work throughout. Right of abode or ancestry. Commonwealth nationals. ILR after 5 years. Can work throughout. Right of abode or ancestry. Commonwealth nationals. ILR after 5 years. Can work throughout. Long residence (10/14 years). ILR. Can work. Long residence (10/14 years). ILR. Can work. Spouse or civil partner of someone with limited leave (student, Work Permit holder, etc.) Same leave as spouse/CP. Can work. Spouse or civil partner of someone with limited leave (student, Work Permit holder, etc.) Same leave as spouse/CP. Can work.

Earnings and taxes National Minimum Wage from 1/10/09: years old:£4.83 an hour 22+ years old£5.80 an hour National Minimum Wage from 1/10/09: years old:£4.83 an hour 22+ years old£5.80 an hour Income Tax 2009/10: less than £6475none £ £34,80020% National Insurance: £105+11% Income Tax 2009/10: less than £6475none £ £34,80020% National Insurance: £105+11%

National Insurance Number If you already have one, you don’t need another If you already have one, you don’t need another Apply when you are offered a job or when you start work Apply when you are offered a job or when you start work Apply at JobCentrePlus Apply at JobCentrePlus Show employer your application letter Show employer your application letter Wait up to 16 weeks, but meanwhile you can work and get paid Wait up to 16 weeks, but meanwhile you can work and get paid

Further advice on your right to work in the UK