UK Post-Study Visa: Does Working 20+ Hours Affect It?

Yes, you can apply for a post-study work visa in the UK after completing your studies, even if you have worked more than 20 hours a week during your studies, but there are a few important things to keep in mind:

1. Work During Studies

• Study Conditions: While you are on a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. If you work more than this limit during term time, you would technically be in violation of the visa conditions.

• Consequences of Exceeding the Limit: If you work more than the permitted 20 hours per week during term time, this can negatively impact your immigration status, potentially affecting your eligibility for a post-study work visa (Graduate Route) later on. Overstepping the work limit can lead to penalties, including the potential for your student visa to be curtailed or revoked, or issues with your post-study work visa application.

2. Post-Study Work Visa (Graduate Route) Eligibility

• Graduate Route Requirements: To be eligible for the Graduate Route (the two-year post-study work visa), you need to have completed a degree-level qualification (such as a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD) at a recognized UK higher education provider, and you must apply for the Graduate Route within two years of completing your course.

• No Restrictions on Work: Once you are granted the Graduate Route, there are no restrictions on the number of hours you can work. This means that, after you’ve graduated, you are free to work full-time in any job or sector.

3. Can Previous Overwork Affect Your Graduate Visa Application?

• No Impact on Graduate Visa: If you worked more than 20 hours per week during your studies, this would not directly impact your eligibility for the Graduate Route as long as you have complied with the rules during the time you applied for and held the student visa. The Graduate Route visa is mainly based on completion of studies and valid student visa status at the time of application.

• Key to Focus on: The most important factors for applying for the Graduate Route are that you complete your degree and that your student visa is in good standing at the time of your application for the Graduate Route.

4. What Should You Do?

• If you have worked more than 20 hours per week during term time, it is advisable to check the status of your student visa and seek advice from the UK Home Office or a licensed immigration advisor to ensure you are not at risk of breaching any visa conditions.

• If you have unintentionally breached the work limit, it’s better to address the situation before applying for the Graduate Route. Depending on your case, you may need to explain the situation during your application or provide evidence that you were unaware of the rules.

Conclusion:

If you have worked more than 20 hours per week during term time, it could potentially affect your visa status, but it should not impact your ability to apply for a post-study work visa (Graduate Route), provided that you were otherwise compliant with your student visa conditions and completed your studies. However, it’s important to be mindful of the rules, and if you have concerns about overworking during your studies, you might want to consult an immigration expert to ensure everything is in order before applying for the Graduate Route.