Do I have the right to work in the UK?
As an international student/graduate, you may be asked on job applications the question “Do you have the right to work in the UK?”
This question is asked by employers because they may have to sponsor a visa for a new employee. Some companies may only be able to do this for some job roles subject to salary levels or type of role. This question is usually asked in reference to graduate employment but may on occasion also be asked on applications for placements, internships, other jobs and experiential programmes.
If you are an International student applying for an internship in your vacation or a placement as part of your degree, that will start and finish while you hold your student visa
Undergraduate International students can answer “yes”, as your visa permits you to legally work in the UK for the duration of this work
However, it is possible that the employer is asking you about your right to work AFTER you graduate because they want the option to employ you again after your studies if you are successful on your internship or placement. You may wish to add a statement to your application, in any notes, further information boxes or cover letter:
“As an international student I am eligible ….(to work full time in my vacation periods under my student visa) (undertake a placement as part of my degree programme on my student visa). I am also eligible to work in the UK for a two-year period (insert three years if you are a PhD student) once my studies end if I apply to the Graduate visa, which does not require employer sponsorship. I am also eligible to apply for permission to work under the Skilled Worker visa upon receipt of a qualifying job offer from a sponsoring employer. You can access government guidance on these routes here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-employer-information/the-uks-points-based-immigration-system-an-introduction-for-employers"
International Masters and PhD students
The rules are different for you, please read the relevant advice on the link below:
Final year international students and new graduates applying from within the UK for jobs or internships starting after completion of their degree
With the introduction of the Graduate visa as well as the Skilled Worker visa, international graduates can answer “yes”. The AGCAS Internationalisation Task Group* advise the following statement is added to job applications in any notes, further information boxes or cover letter.
“I am eligible to work in the UK for a two-year period (insert three years if you are a PhD student) once my studies end if I apply to the Graduate visa, which does not require employer sponsorship. I am also eligible to apply for permission to work under the Skilled Worker visa upon receipt of a qualifying job offer from a sponsoring employer. You can access government guidance on these routes here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-employer-information/the-uks-points-based-immigration-system-an-introduction-for-employers"
*The AGCAS Internationalisation Task Group focuses on shaping the careers support available to international students at UK universities by keeping AGCAS members up to date with legislative changes around recruiting international students in the UK
