J obseekers   I nformation P oint – Right to Work in the UK

Eurobritz has an obligation to ensure that anyone taking assignments through Eurobritz has a legal right to work in the UK.   Before you start to look for a job in the UK therefore make sure that you have the relevant permission and check if there will be a maximum number of hours per week you will be able to work.    You can find out details of the rules for working legally in the UK from the official website:   http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk

The key is not to try and work illegally. If you are caught you will probably be sent back to your home country (deported) and you could find it difficult to travel abroad in future. You may also be in danger of your employer trying to pay you less than the Minimum Wage or by making you work in poor or dangerous conditions.

STUDENTS

EEA (except Romania/Bulgaria)
In general, students who are nationals of EEA (European Economic Area) countries are allowed to work full-time in the UK. This does not apply to students from Romania and Bulgaria, which join the EU in January 2007.

Non-EEA or Romania/Bulgaria
Students from non-EEA countries or from Romania/Bulgaria with a valid student visa (to understand your visa stamp, look on the website below) may take part-time work during term time, but cannot work for more than 20 hours per week (unless the work is a necessary part of the studies, as agreed by your school) except during school holidays.   See the UKCOSA produce guidance notes for international students on "Working in the UK during your studies" and "Working in the UK after your studies" :   http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/advice.htm

NON-STUDENTS

EEA (except EC Accession States)
In general EEA nationals are allowed to work full-time in the UK. This does not apply to students from Romania and Bulgaria, which join the EU in January 2007.

EC Accession States
From 1 May 2004, nationals of some of the new member states of the EU need to register if they plan to work for more than one month for an employer in the UK.
This is known as the Accession State Worker Registration Scheme.   For further details and to download the required form look on the official website:   http://www.workinginthe uk.gov. uk

People from these new EU member countries need to register:
The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia
People from these new EU member countries do not need to register:
Cyprus, Malta
Nationals of the countries joining the EU in January 2007 (Bulgaria and Romania) will need working permission

Non-EEA
Except for certain special professions in which there is a shortage of workers, employers have to follow strict rules before they can employ non-EEA nationals. Before the employer can apply for a work permit for a non-EEA national, the job must be advertised and the employer must justify why the EEA nationals who applied were not suitable. Information about work permits is shown on:     http://www.workpermits.gov.uk

There are special rules for the types of job below.
Au pair
Nurse
Teacher or language teacher's assistant Voluntary work

There are also special rules for people with a working holiday visa -  see below

WORKING HOLIDAYS

What is a working holiday visa?

A working holiday visa allows a young person to come to the UK mainly for a long holiday, but also to work for part of this time (usually up to half of the time) to earn money for the holiday. You must obtain this visa from a British embassy or High Commission before you come to the UK. The application process and rules depend on where you live, because they depend on agreements between your country's government and the UK government. In some cases the process can take quite a long time (perhaps 6 months), and a small fee may need to be paid. Even if you have a visa, you could be refused entry into the UK by immigration officers if they believe you are intending to break the working holiday rules. You can study for some of the time, but the main reason for the trip must be holiday, not study or work. For full details of the current rules look on the official website:   http://www.workinginthe uk.gov. uk 

Which countries have working holiday agreements with the UK ?

You can only apply for a working holiday if your country has a working holiday agreement with the UK. In 2006 these countries were:
(1) Most commonwealth countries
(2) Japan: Since 2001, 400 people from Japan are issued working holiday visas each year (between April and March). You should be aged between 18 and 25 at the time of applying, although in some cases it may be possible for the limit to be increased to 30.

Note that if you are a national of an EEA  (European Economic Area) country or Switzerland, you do not need a working holiday visa to come to the UK to travel and work.

Where can I find the application forms and further details?

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) provide information on British visa requirements for people wanting to take a working holiday at the UK Visas site:   http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Choose Application forms from the top menu, scroll down the page to the Guidance Notes section and then click on Working Holidaymakers (INF 15).

Below are some of the organisations which help to arrange working holidays from the following Commonwealth countries:

WORK IN BRITAIN PROGRAMME

There is a special programme for US citizens called "Work in Britain". It allows college students to work for up to 6 months in the UK. For details, see the BUNAC website :   http://www.bunac.org/usa/workinbritain