This information is of relevance to you if you are allowed to work during and outside term time, not if your work permission is limited to work placements.
Most Students and Child students have immigration permission that extends beyond the end of their studies. You can work full time for this extra period once you have completed your course, but you may not be able to work at all if you have not finished your course. There are some exceptions from the usual restrictions if you make an immigration application to 'switch' into a work route.
Once you have completed your course and are no longer in term time, you may work full time (though usually not in a permanent post), leave and re-enter the UK and make further immigration applications.
If you travel during this post-study period, Border Force officials will need to be satisfied when you are entering the UK that you will either
- complete the activity you intend to carry out and leave the UK before your immigration permission expires, or
- submit an in-time application to extend your permission in the UK.
You should carry any relevant documents with you when you travel to show to the Border Force officer if required.
This is particularly important for you if you want to stay in the UK as a Student or if you want to make an application in a work category. Alternatively, you might choose to make your next immigration application in the UK before you leave, or while you are outside the UK. This means that on re-entry your immigration permission will match your intentions and you are less likely to have to answer questions about your plans.
If you complete your course earlier than the course end date on your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS), your student sponsor is obliged to report early completion to the Home Office. If you have more than 60 days' permission when your early completion is reported, the Home Office will contact you to let you know that your immigration permission will be cut short (cancelled). Permission is usually cancelled to the new end date plus the additional period you were originally granted, for example one month, two or four months after the new end date. You can work between the new end date of your course and the new expiry date of your immigration permission. Employers need to see confirmation from your university or college that you have now completed your course.
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Moving into a work route
If at the end of your course you apply to stay in the UK under a work route, you can usually work full time until your work application is decided.
Normally, you must not take work that your work condition prohibits. However, if you have Tier 4 or Student permission, your work condition allows you to start a Skilled Worker job after you have applied for Skilled Worker permission and before the Home Office makes a decision on that application, even if the job is permanent, full time and/or requires work as an entertainer or professional sportsperson. You can start your Skilled Worker job up to three months before your course end date, but no earlier. This means that if you apply for Skilled Worker permission after 12 months of study towards a doctorate, you will usually need to wait for a decision before starting the job.
Similarly, if you have applied under the Start-up route, you can start your business before you receive a decision from the Home Office on your application.
