Working in the UK

You will need to check that you can work and how long you can work for. Once you are working you must get a national insurance number. Citizens of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK.

If you are a British citizen, a Swiss national or a national of the EEA, you do not need a work permit to work in the United Kingdom.

The countries of the EEA are:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Republic of Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
UK

If you are from one of the following 'new member' states you are required to apply to register with the Home Office under the new 'Worker Registration Scheme'.

Poland
Lithuania
Estonia
Latvia
Slovenia
Slovakia
Hungary
Czech Republic

You must register as soon as you find work.

You can find more details and download an application form from:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/

Nationals of other countries

If you come from any other country, you will have an endorsement in your passport (in your visa when you entered Britain or when you were granted an extension of stay by the Home Office) showing whether or not you are allowed to work.

There are two types of endorsement:

Restriction

This stamp states that you must not "enter or change employment paid or unpaid without the consent of the Secretary of State for Employment" or that "work (and any changes) must be authorised".

This means that you are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during term-time and during vacations you are allowed to work on a full-time basis.

The spouse of an international student holding such a restriction is allowed to work without a work permit, provided that the student has permission to stay in the UK for 12 months or more.

Prohibition

This stamp is shorter and states that you must not "engage in employment paid or unpaid" or "employment prohibited".

This means that you cannot work in the UK. It is possible to get this stamp changed to a 'restriction' but you should seek advice from the International Advice Team before trying this.

If you are bringing your family this prohibition also applies to all your dependants.