International students can stand as Students’ Union Sabbatical Officers. If you’re intending to stand for election, you may have questions about your immigration permission.
Information for sponsors and students' unions is in our Immigration manual. The manual is available only to UKCISA members. UKCISA membership is free for students' unions. See Membership.
On 5 October 2020, the term 'Student permission' replaced 'Tier 4 (General) student leave'. The term 'Student' includes holders of Tier 4 (General) student immigration permission.
When can I work as a sabbatical officer?
Last updated July 26, 2024
You can work as a students’ union sabbatical officer either by taking a break from your studies or in the academic year after your course has ended.
The post is usually for one year but can be shorter. You might be able to stand for re-election for a second year, but this depends on the rules of your students' union. If you want to know what the work involves, ask staff who work in your students' union or check its website.
You can apply more than once as a sabbatical officer. The limit is two years at one institution. But you can apply again to work with the NUS or at a different institution.
There are factors to consider around financial sponsorship and whether you have the right to work. Read the information below for details to consider:
You might have a loan or get financial sponsorship. Check the terms and conditions before you stand for election. In some cases, you might have to start repaying your loan if you take a break from studies. Or you might be in breach of your agreement if you do not return to your employer when your studies end.
You can stand for election after your course has ended to avoid repaying a loan before you graduate. You must do the sabbatical officer post in the academic year after you complete your course.
Ask your students' union if part-time work is possible while you study full time. You can work full time outside term time. This is an option if you must leave the UK after your course has ended. You must provide your financial sponsor's consent to an immigration application if:
you have completed a course in the last 12 months, and
a government or international sponsorship agency paid your fees and living costs.
The students' union must check that you have immigration permission that allows you to do the job. See our page on finding work, employers and tax.
If you have other immigration permission, check it allows you to do the job. Most types of immigration permission allow employment. For example, the Graduate route or dependant permission.
Can I study while I work as a sabbatical officer?
Last updated July 26, 2024
You might want to continue studying your course while you work as a sabbatical officer. This might be possible but only if you can continue studying it on a full-time basis.
Talk to your student sponsor and the Students’ Union about this before you stand for election.
You can do 'supplementary study' while you work. Examples include evening classes and short courses. The provider does not need to have a sponsor licence. Read about supplementary study on ourStudent route eligibility and requirements page.
What immigration permission do I need as a sabbatical officer?
Last updated July 26, 2024
There are different Immigration Rules to consider depending on whether you become a sabbatical officer part way through your course or after you have completed your course.
The following gives information on both scenarios and other factors to consider, such as evidence of funds and English language requirements.
The information assumes you already have Student permission. Talk to your college or university if you:
are studying with a different type of permission, and
need to apply for Student permission.
This could be because your permission will expire. Or because your current permission does not allow you to work.
If you are in the middle of your course, and you currently have Student permission that allows work, you should be able to start full-time work as a sabbatical officer without making a new application. It does not matter that your documents refer to 10 or 20 hours of work a week. Discuss this with your Student sponsor, who must first report your change of circumstances to the Home Office.
You will usually need to extend your permission so you can work and then finish your studies.
You should discuss the timing of the application with your sponsor. When you stop being a full-time student, you become liable to pay council tax.
If you want to become a sabbatical officer after your studies, you must do this in the academic year after you complete your course. You can start the post on your current Student permission if it allows you to work. But you will need to apply to extend it to complete the post.
The Students’ Union might pay your application fee and/or immigration health charge. If not, make sure you have the money. You will need a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from your Student sponsor.
The Students' Union might ask you to extend your permission before you start work. This is to avoid problems if the Home Office refuses your application.
You must not work if you get a rejection, or a refusal and you no longer have immigration permission. Seek advice from your Student sponsor or union immediately.
If you are applying to do a sabbatical officer post You do not have to show you have funds. This means you do not have to provide evidence of finance as part of your application in or outside the UK.
If you are applying to continue studies after your post You do not have to show funds if you apply in the UK, and you have been there at least 12 months.
You will have to show funds if you apply outside the UK or if you have been in the UK under 12 months.
English language requirements apply to sabbatical officers. Check what your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) says about English language. You can ask your sponsor if you will need to provide evidence.
You can apply in or outside the UK. Your Student permission should cover the duration of the sabbatical officer post. This will usually be a period of up to 12 months.
You should also get an extra period before the post starts and up to four months after it ends.
Your immigration documents will not state that you are a sabbatical officer. They will refer to limits on your working hours, for example 20 hours a week in term time. However, you can work full time as a sabbatical officer with this endorsement.
The college or university where you are, or have been, studying must continue to sponsor you as a Student. This is the case, even though you will be working with the students' union or the National Union of Students (NUS).
You and/or the students' union or NUS must talk to your college or university as soon as possible after election. This is so that everyone is clear about what happens next.
Your student sponsor must report to the Home Office that you will be working as a sabbatical officer. Your sponsor remains responsible for you. This means they must work with the students' union or NUS to ensure that you are working without problems.
What happens when my sabbatical officer post ends?
Last updated July 26, 2024
You might be able to stand for re-election. Check if your sponsor is happy with that. You can apply again for Student permission, if necessary. Other options are below:
Your Student sponsor will report to the Home Office that you are now studying again. You should extend your immigration permission before your current permission expires. You should be able to apply in the UK.
Your new course should usually be at a higher level than your previous course if you want to apply in the UK.
Time spent as a sabbatical officer does not count for study limits at degree level or below. There is no time limit on study at postgraduate level.
The Graduate route may be an option for you. You can undertake employment and self-employment as a Graduate. You must have studied in the UK with Student permission. Usually, you must apply after you pass your course. But if you work as a sabbatical officer, you can apply after your post has ended. This can be after one or two extra periods of Student permission. For details, see Graduate caseworker guidance on the government’s gov.uk website.
Unlike the Graduate route, the Skilled Worker route can lead to settlement. You can usually apply in the UK to stay under this route, but you need sponsorship by an employer.
Physical documents such as BRPs, and vignettes placed in your passport, are being replaced by a digital immigration permission known as an ‘eVisa’. Find out how to check your permission and how you prove it.
Most students complete their studies in the UK with no issues around their visa or Student sponsorship. However, occasionally changes are made to an institution’s Student sponsor licence that could affect you.
Essential guide on maintaining your student visa status in the UK, covering everything from attendance requirements to visa renewals, ensuring your educational journey remains uninterrupted.
