- Can I work in the UK on a Student visa?
- National Insurance, tax and minimum wage
- How do I prove my right to work?
- How can I avoid job and visa scams
- Further information
Can I work in the UK on a Student visa?
Many international students can work while studying in the UK. However, there are restrictions on the type of work you can do and the hours you can work.
Working in breach of your visa conditions is a criminal offence.
For information about specific working rights, see:
- Working during your studies
- Working during your vacation
- Working on placement year
- Working for the University and Herts SU
- Working at the end of your studies
National Insurance, tax and minimum wage
Do I need a National Insurance number?
If you work in the UK, you may need a National Insurance (NI) number.
- If you already have an NI number, you do not need to apply again.
- If you do not have one, you can apply once you are in the UK through the Government website.
- You can look for work and start work before receiving your NI number, but you should apply as soon as possible.
- If you work for the University, you must provide your NI number as part of the student application process.
Will I pay tax?
You may need to pay Income Tax if your earnings exceed your Personal Allowance threshold.
What is the minimum wage?
The National Minimum Wage varies depending on your age. Employers must pay at least the legal minimum rate.
For more information, see the UKCISA guidance on working in the UK.
How do I prove my right to work?
Before you start work, your employer must check that you have the right to work in the UK.
The University cannot provide a letter confirming your right to work. It is the employer's responsibility to carry out right-to-work check and keep evidence that you can legally work in the UK.
What information will my employer need?
Your employer must confirm:
- your right to work in the UK
- your academic term dates
- your vacation periods, where relevant
Useful information:
If you are unsure about your term-time or vacation dates, check your timetable, programme specification, or contact your School.
If your employer has questions about eligibility to work in the UK, they can contact the Home Office.
How can I prove my right to work?
You need to prove your right to work in the UK to your employer before you start working for them.
You can provide:
You must provide this evidence before you begin working.
If you are unsure about your term-time or vacation dates, check your timetable, programme specification, or contact your School.
How can I avoid job and visa scams
International students are often targeted by job and visa scams.
The University works with Student Circus to help students recognise and avoid fraudulent job offers and visa sponsorship scams.
Be cautious if:
- a job offer seems too good to be true
- someone asks for large upfront payments
- a recruiter guarantees a sponsored job or visa
If you are unsure whether a job advert, recruitment agency or offer is genuine, contact the Careers and Employment Service before taking any action.
Example of a visa sponsorship scam
Student Circus has highlighted cases where international students have lost significant amounts of money after paying for schemes that falsely promised visa-sponsored jobs.
You can read their advice and scam awareness information to learn how to stay safe.
Further information
For detailed guidance on working rights for Student visa holders, see:
Working during your studies
Working during vacation periods
Working on a placement year
Working for the University or Herts SU
Working at the end of your studies
UKCISA guidance on working in the UK
Government guidance on proving your right to work