Your right to work in the UK

During term time you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week. This includes all paid work combined — if you have two jobs, the total across both cannot exceed 20 hours. During official university vacation periods (summer, Christmas, Easter) you can work full-time with no hour limit. Check your university's term dates carefully — the vacation definition used by the Home Office matches your university's official term calendar.

You can do most types of work: part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, tutoring, admin. You cannot: be self-employed or run your own business, work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or work as a doctor or dentist in training (without specific permission). Working through a staffing agency is fine as long as hours are within the limit.

You need a National Insurance (NI) number before starting paid work. You can start work before you receive your NI number but you must have applied for one. Without an NI number your employer cannot deduct the correct tax. Apply online via gov.uk — you'll need your passport and visa details.

Your employer must check your right to work before you start. You'll need to show your passport and either your visa vignette (sticker in passport) or your eVisa via the UKVI online share code service. Generate a share code at gov.uk/prove-right-to-work — it's valid for 90 days and lets your employer verify your visa status online.