Support & Immigration Advice

EEA Nationals

Most EEA nationals are free to work unrestricted hours in the UK and do not need to obtain permission to do so, however please check with the UK Border Agency website for further details.

Tier 4 Students on courses at level 6 or higher

Tier 4 students on courses which are level 6 or higher (Bachelors, Masters, Pre-masters, PHD) will usually have the restriction of working up to 20 hours per week during term time, except if the work is part of your course and you have permission from Edge Hill. The visa stamp in your passport or Biometric Residence Permit will indicate the number of hours you are allowed to work, if you are unsure please speak with the Student Support Officer in the Centre for International Education.

Tier 4 Students on courses at level 3

Tier 4 students on courses which are level 3 (International Foundation Programme) will usually have the restriction of working up to 10 hours per week during term time. The visa stamp in your passport or Biometric Residence Permit will indicate the number of hours you are allowed to work, if you are unsure please speak with the Student Support Officer in the Centre for International Education.

Student Visitors

Students on a Student Visitor visa are not eligible to work at all.

If you are unsure about the work you are eligible to do, please speak with the Student Support Officer in the Centre for International Education.

Please be aware it is your responsibility to ensure you do not break the conditions of your visa, failure to adhere to restricts will mean you are in breach of your visa and will likely be asked to return home.

The British Council, UKCISA and UK Border Agency websites all have useful further information on working during your studies.

What is a National Insurance number?

A National Insurance Number (sometimes called an NI number or NINo) is required if you want to work in the UK. It is a unique personal number which is used to record your National Insurance contributions that may be deducted from your pay cheque. National Insurance is a government tax and payable by everyone who earns over a certain threshold.

You do not need to have an NI number before starting work, but you must obtain one when you get a job.

How do I apply for a National Insurance number?

If you are a non-EEA International Student with a current Tier 4 Student visa, you may be able to complete a postal National Insurance Number application form through the UK Visa Postal Application Scheme. The telephone number for the JobCentre Plus to request a National Insurance Postal Application Pack is:
0845 600 0643.

You will need the following details when you call:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Country of origin
• Passport Number
• UK Visa Type
• UK Visa number
• Address
• Contact Telephone Number

You will then be given a reference number which you will need to keep safe for future reference.

You should hear back from the JobCentre Plus either by post or by telephone within 7 days. If you do not hear back from them within 7 days, you can telephone them at 0198 327 3014 and quote your reference number.

If you run into any difficulty in trying to get your NI number through the UK Visa Postal Application Scheme, please contact the Student Welfare Service as soon as possible.

What if I do not qualify for a UK Visa Postal Application?

You must attend an ‘Evidence of Identity’ (EOI) Interview in person with the Jobcentre Plus in order to apply for a National Insurance number. The JobCentre Plus should have contacted you by telephone to arrange an interview within 7 days of your initial telephone call if they require you to attend an EOI Interview.

At the EOI Interview, you will be asked questions about who you are and why you want a National Insurance Number. This information and any official documents you bring with you, will help to prove your identity. You will also have to fill in a form to apply for an NI number.

When booking your appointment please inform the person of your location and where you are able to travel to.

What documents will I need if I attend an EOI Interview?

You will need to take photocopies and originals of the following documents with you to your appointment:

• Passport (or if EU citizen National Identity Card)
• Visa with entry stamp
• Biometric ID card, if you have one
• Police Registration Certificate, if you have one
• Library card/letter of enrolment with Edge Hill University
• Evidence of address, e.g. tenancy agreement
• Another form of identification, e.g. birth certificate, driving license, bank statement
• Evidence to show you have employment or are seeking work
  This may be:
• Letter from employer
• Contract of employment
• Details of any employment agencies you are registered with
  e.g. Workbank contract
• Evidence that you are actively looking for work, e.g. this may be a printout of a confirmation page from an on-line application

When will I receive my National Insurance Number?

If your application is successful, you will receive your NI number in writing soon after you have submitted your application or the EOI Interview, usually 4-6 weeks. You will receive an NI number card later.

Keep your number safe and do not disclose it to anyone who does not need it. You should tell your employer your number as soon as you know it.

Many International students wish to work in the UK after they have graduated and until the 5th April 2012 international students with bachelors, masters or PGCE degree could apply through the post study work scheme for a 2 year visa which allows non-EEA nationals to work in the UK.

International graduates who wish to stay in the UK from 6th April 2012 will need to have a job offer from a Tier 2 sponsor or apply through the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route. For more information about this please see our immigration section.

The UK Council for International Students affairs also produces very useful guidance notes on working in the UK after graduation, these can be found on their website by clicking here.

Edge Hill University careers service has many resources to help students and graduates find employment after your studies. Please see their webpages for more information or call into the careers service in the Student Information Centre to speak with the advisors.