Arriving and living in the UK
Working whilst studying in the UK – Bulgarian and Romanian students
Students from Bulgaria and Romania who wish to work in the UK should
first read the UK Border Agency (UKBA) information to check whether or not you need to
submit an application and, if so, which application is appropriate for your
individual circumstances.
Before applying
Before applying please read all of the information available from the UKBA:
Most Bulgarian and Romanian students who wish to work will need to apply
to the UKBA on form BR1 for a (yellow) registration certificate
as a student.
Once you have obtained this you will be permitted to work for
up to 20 hours per week in term time and full time in vacations and for up
to four months after your studies end.
Postgraduate students
If you are a postgraduate student you
are considered to be studying during the University's summer vacation and
should only work term-time hours until you have completely finished your
academic work and handed in the final copy of your dissertation/thesis.
Supporting documents
Certificate of Registration
You will need to send a certificate of registration with your application
to confirm that you are a registered student of the University of Essex.
Certificates of registration are available from the
Registry.
Evidence
You will also need to show evidence that you can support
yourself, as described in the
UKBA Guidance (.pdf) (paragraph 12). The recommendation is that 3 months' bank
statements be sent. Section 4 of the
BR1 form (.pdf) also gives guidance about evidence to include.
You are asked to provide evidence of ‘comprehensive sickness insurance’.
This can be private medical insurance or a valid EHIC (European Health
Insurance Card). If you send the EHIC you must also include a letter stating
that you intend to stay in the UK on a temporary basis. The EHIC card is
free, you can check if you are eligible by reading the information on the
NHS website.
From 13 December 2012 students applying on form BR1 are also asked to provide
“a declaration witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths, to state that you, as the applicant, will not become a burden on the state.”
See Section 4.4 of the BR1 form for details of required evidence.
A Commissioner for Oaths can be a solicitor, barrister, Notary Public or
certain other legal professionals. You can contact a local law firm to enquire about this service.
How to apply
You can apply
by post or, if you would rather apply in person, you can make an appointment at the Croydon Public
Enquiry Office. You must call 0870 606 7766 to make an appointment before you attend.
Further questions
Contact the
UKBA if you have any further questions once you have read the application form and guidance. You can also
seek further advice from UKCISA.
Please note:
- You may not begin work until you receive the
registration certificate.
- In order to work between finishing studies and applying
to work in the UK after studies, Bulgarian and Romanian
students will need to obtain a registration certificate as a
student before their course ends.
- Once you have been working legally for a continuous
period of 12 months you may be eligible to apply on the
BR1 form (.pdf) for exemption from registration.
Essential reading and further guidance
UKCISA
- UKCISA guidance notes
- information on many issues, including working, for EEA/Swiss students.
- EEA work checker
- a very useful tool to guide you through some questions and, based on your answers,
tell you what you need to do to work in the UK.
Employability and Careers Centre
Students from outside the EEA