Working on a UK Student visa: the rules in 2026

How the hour limits work

Your eVisa shows your work condition. For most Indian students on a bachelor's or master's at a university, it is 20 hours per week during term time.

• A "week" means Monday to Sunday. You cannot average hours over a month. Working 25 hours one week and 15 the next is a breach.
• The limit covers all jobs combined, paid or unpaid work that counts as employment, including work for your university.
• Below degree level (for example a foundation or pre-sessional course), the limit is 10 hours.
• During official vacations set by your university, you can work full-time. Master's students often find the summer after taught modules counts as term time because the dissertation is due. Check your university's published dates.
• After your course officially ends, you can usually work full-time until your visa expires, but only in a temporary role.

Pay must be at least the minimum wage: £12.71/hour for ages 21+ and £10.85 for ages 18–20, from 1 April 2026. At 20 hours a week and £12.71, you earn about £254 a week before tax.

Work you cannot do

Even within your hours, a Student visa does not allow you to:

• be self-employed or run a business, including freelancing, an online shop, or work for clients outside the UK while you are in the UK;
• work as a professional sportsperson, including as a sports coach;
• work as an entertainer, such as a paid actor, musician or dancer, except on some placements that are part of a performing-arts course;
• take a permanent full-time job (a job with no end date). Part-time work on a permanent contract within your hours is usually fine;
• work as a doctor or dentist in training, except on certain foundation programmes.

Most universities also warn against "gig" platforms such as food delivery, because they usually treat you as self-employed. Since 1 October 2026, right-to-work checks also apply to online matching platforms, so these jobs are now checked more closely.

Work placements that are an assessed part of your course do not count towards the 20 hours, but they are limited to a set proportion of the course. Ask your university.

Money, tax and National Insurance

You need a National Insurance number to work, and you can start before it arrives. Students pay income tax like anyone else. With the £12,570 Personal Allowance, a typical 20-hour job in term and full-time in summer often stays below or close to the threshold. If you earn above it you pay tax. Check your payslip uses tax code 1257L, not an emergency code. National Insurance is due on earnings above £242 a week.

Get a UK bank account for wages early (see UK bank accounts). Do not count on part-time work to pay your fees; a part-time job will not cover London living costs on its own.

Maintenance funds: now and from 30 November 2026

You show funds for up to 9 months, plus any unpaid course fees. The money must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the statement must be dated within 31 days of applying. Education loan letters from Indian banks or regulated lenders are accepted if they meet the Home Office rules. If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, you do not need to show funds. If you apply on or after 30 November 2026, use the higher figures. Estimate costs with the UK student cost calculator.

Bringing dependants as a student

Since 1 January 2024, most students cannot bring a partner or children. You can only if you are:

• a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 6 months; or
• on a postgraduate course at RQF 7 or above lasting 9 months or more that is a PhD, doctorate or research-based degree.

A one-year taught master's (MSc, MBA) does not qualify. Where dependants are allowed, they need £845 a month in London or £680 outside, for up to 9 months.

Fees and switching after your course

The Student visa costs £558 and the IHS is £776 a year. After study, the main routes are:

• Graduate visa: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027 (3 years for a PhD). Fee £937. See the Graduate visa guide.
• Skilled Worker: switch in the UK once your course is complete. As a recent student you are a new entrant: salary at least £33,400 and 70% of the going rate, with a 4-year cap including any Graduate time. Your employer pays no Immigration Skills Charge when you switch from Student.

Common mistakes

• Averaging hours across weeks, or forgetting a second job.
• Working full-time during the master's dissertation period because it "feels like summer".
• Delivery-app or freelance work, which usually counts as self-employment.
• Accepting cash-in-hand work with no records. Keep payslips and timesheets.
• Showing funds held for less than 28 days, or using the old maintenance figure after 30 November 2026.
• Assuming a taught master's lets your spouse join you.

Step by step

1. Check your work conditionSign in to your UKVI account and note the hour limit on your eVisa.
2. Get your university's term datesDownload the official vacation dates for your specific course.
3. Apply for a National Insurance numberApply online once in the UK; you can start work before it arrives.
4. Give your employer a share codeCreate a right-to-work share code and tell them your term-time hour limit.
5. Track your weekly hoursKeep a Monday-to-Sunday log across all jobs and keep every payslip.
6. Plan your next visa earlyDecide between Graduate and Skilled Worker before your course ends, noting the 31 December 2026 Graduate deadline.

Questions people ask

Official sources

• GOV.UK: Student visa
• GOV.UK: Immigration Rules Appendix Student
• GOV.UK: Home Office fees, 8 October 2026
• GOV.UK: Statement of changes HC 584
• GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage rates
• UKCISA: Working during your studies

Checked against these sources on 14 October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm with the authority before you apply.