In July 2023, the Immigration Rules changed for Student visa holders switching into certain visa categories. As a result, Student visa holders must not submit a visa application for a work visa until:

• Undergraduate and Masters students: you have completed your course (i.e. you have received official notification of approval of your degree, or the course end date on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) has passed and you have completed all required assessment for your course by this date)
• PhD students: you have completed at least 24 months of your current PhD studies

Where a Student visa holder moves to a different immigration category before their course end date, their institution must be notified. Queen’s students must notify International Student Compliance.

A Student visa issued for full time degree level studies allows you to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. The 20 hours cannot be averaged over a longer period and include paid or unpaid work for one or more organisations. Someone on a Student visa can start employment with the University on a part time basis as permitted by their visa*. If a Student visa holder wishes to take up a full time role on a part time basis, e.g. while awaiting the outcome of their work visa application, this must be in agreement with their line manager.

For the purposes of employment with the University, full time work will only be possible upon completion of a course**. For PhD students, the end of the course is unconditional approval of degree. If a Student visa holder produces a degree award or a Confirmation of Completion letter, they can work full time on their student visa. Queen’s students can obtain a letter to confirm completion of studies from here. After they have completed their course, Student visa holders can only work for a maximum of four months or until their visa expiry date (whichever comes first). If the employment is for a longer duration, you must apply for your work visa during this period and provide a share code to International Staff Support upon receipt of your new permission. If you have not been appointed to a role that is eligible for a Global Talent or Skilled Worker visa, you may wish to consider switching to the Graduate visa after successful completion of your course.

Student visa holders can also work full-time on a placement which is part of their course. The work placement must be an integral and assessed part of your course meaning that you’ll be enrolled on a module that is credit-bearing and that the placement will form part of the assessment for that module.

Student visa holders cannot take a permanent role whilst holding a Student visa.

 

*QWork will be notified when a Student visa holder takes up employment with the University so that cumulatively they are not exceeding the hours permitted.

** Casual work opportunities (where hours can fluctuate between term and non-term time) are available through QWork.