There are different Immigration Rules to consider depending on whether you become a sabbatical officer part way through your course or after you have completed your course.
The following gives information on both scenarios and other factors to consider, such as evidence of funds and English language requirements.
The information assumes you already have Student permission. Talk to your college or university if:
you are studying with a different type of permission, and
you need to apply for Student permission.
This could be because your permission will expire. Or because your current permission does not allow you to work.
If you are in the middle of your course, and you currently have Student permission that allows work, you should be able to start full-time work as a sabbatical officer without making a new application. It does not matter that your documents refer to 10 or 20 hours of work a week.
Discuss this with your Student sponsor, who must first report your change of circumstances to the Home Office.
You will usually need to extend your permission so you can work and then finish your studies. You should discuss the timing of the application with your sponsor.
When you stop being a full-time student, you become liable to pay
council tax.
If you want to become a sabbatical officer after your studies, you must do this in the academic year after you complete your course. You can start the post on your current Student permission if it allows you to work. But you will need to apply to extend it to complete the post.
The Students’ Union might pay your application fee and/or immigration health charge. If not, make sure you have the money. You will need a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from your Student sponsor.
The Students' Union might ask you to extend your permission before you start work. This is to avoid problems if the Home Office refuses your application.
You must not work if you get a rejection, or a refusal and you no longer have immigration permission. Seek advice from your Student sponsor or union immediately.
If you are applying to do a sabbatical officer post
You do not have to show you have funds. This means you do not have to provide evidence of finance as part of your application in or outside the UK.
If you are applying to continue studies after your post
You do not have to show funds if you apply in the UK, and you have been there at least 12 months.
You will have to show funds if you apply outside the UK or if you have been in the UK under 12 months.
English language requirements apply to sabbatical officers. Check what your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) says about English language. You can ask your sponsor if you will need to provide evidence.
You can apply in or outside the UK.
Your Student permission should cover the duration of the sabbatical officer post. This will usually be a period of up to 12 months. You should also get an extra period before the post starts and up to four months after it ends.
Your immigration documents will not state that you are a sabbatical officer. They will refer to limits on your working hours, for example 20 hours a week in term time. But you can work full time as a sabbatical officer with this endorsement.
