International students and graduates: What are your UK working rights?

Working alongside studies can be a great way to earn some extra cash and broaden your social circle.

With some of the best universities located in some of the UK’s most expensive cities, including London, Bristol and Oxford, side income can act as a much-needed financial crutch.

Students on a student visa might not want to work only during term time and many will hope to take advantage of the graduate career pipeline into top industries.

If you are studying full-time on a student visa, you could have permission to work in the UK both during and after the completion of your studies.

What are the rules for working during your studies?

According to the student visa rules, students can work in the UK under the following conditions:

Full-time work permitted during holiday periods
Up to 20 hours per week during term time
If there is a work placement forming an assessed part of a course, students are allowed to work full-time during university terms. One caveat is that a work placement must not be longer than 50 per cent of the total course length
Working as a student union sabbatical officer is allowed for up to two years.

While there are opportunities for international students to earn some money, there are some drawbacks to be aware of.

Whether work is paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, holding a Student visa for a part time course means that you will be unable to work.

Even if your employer isn’t located in the UK, any work you do for this role will count towards the weekly 20-hour limit.

Working after graduation

From the final official day of your course, you will be classed as being on ‘vacation.’

This classification allows you to work up to four months or until your student visa expires, whichever is sooner.

The options available after completing your course in the UK are:

Graduate Visa

To be eligible to remain on this kind of visa, you must:

Be in the UK when you apply
Hold a valid Student visa
Apply before your current Student visa expires
Have successfully completed an eligible UK degree or other qualifying course

Master’s and bachelor’s graduates who apply on or before 31 December 2026 may be granted permission to stay for an extra two years. Applications submitted from 1 January 2027 will be limited to 18 months.

However, PhD graduates qualify for stays of up to three years.

Skilled Worker Visa

While some students opt for a skilled worker visa immediately, others opt for a Graduate Visa before later switching over.

To qualify for a skilled worker visa, you must have a job offer from a Home Office- approved sponsor and be working in an eligible occupation.

On top of this, you must meet the salary and English language requirements, with a Certificate of Sponsorship issued by a licensed UK employer.

Skilled worker visas can offer enticing long-term prospects to a fresh international graduate, as this route can later lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

While both graduate and skilled worker visas allow international students to remain and work in the UK, the skilled worker route offers a clear pathway for long-term residency.

Innovator founder visa

As of a recent change in the law (November 2025), students who complete their UK-based course can also transfer directly from a student visa to an Innovator Founder visa without having to leave the country.

The benefits of this include:

Access to business support: As a student, you can take advantage of the support and resources available to innovative start-ups in the UK.
Pathway to permanent residency: Applicants who meet the necessary criteria can eventually apply for permanent residency after three years.
Opportunity to build networks: Students can continue to network within the UK’s vibrant entrepreneurial and start-up ecosystem.
Flexibility during transition – the ability to self-employ while waiting for a visa decision means students can start building their business without delay.
Reduced disruption – by allowing in-country switching, students no longer need to leave the UK to apply for a visa that supports their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Government authorised exchange visa: Temporary work

You can apply to switch to this visa if you’re a:

student, whether studying, resitting an examination or writing a thesis
student union sabbatical officer
student nurse
postgraduate doctor or dentist
student visa holder (including Tier 4)

You must have completed a UK bachelor’s or master’s degree during your last grant of leave.

The work, training or research you’re being sponsored to do in the UK also needs to be related to that degree. It can be:

postgraduate training or work experience that will give you a professional qualification or registration in the same field
an internship for up to 12 months that’s related to your degree

You must also meet the other eligibility requirements.

Speak to an immigration solicitor

We understand the UK immigration system can be complicated, especially when it comes to working rules and switching visas.

For students who find themselves approaching graduation, or in the ‘vacation’ period after the end of a course, we can advise on visa applications and sponsorship requirements.

Our specialists can help prepare and submit applications and offer guidance on the pathway to ILR, tailoring advice to your circumstances and goals.