Bulgarian & Romanian Students: Permission to Work

If you are a Bulgarian or Romanian student you may work in the UK but you need to obtain permission to do so. The type of permission you require depends on whether you are a current student or a recent graduate. Click here for guidance.

Students

If you are a student in the UK, you may work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during vacations. If you are on a work placement or a vocational course, you may work more than 20 hours a week during term time.

Before you start to work, you must obtain a Yellow Registration Certificate confirming you are exercising your treaty rights as a student.

Post-graduates

Post-graduates qualify as highly skilled individuals under the scheme and are entitled to a Blue Registration Certificate which indicates that the holder can work in the UK without restriction.

To qualify as a post-graduate under the scheme you must have obtained one of the following qualifications from a recognised educational institution in the UK within the 12 months before your application:

• HND from a recognised educational institution in Scotland
• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• Postgraduate certificate or diploma

How to apply

You should complete the appropriate application form which can be found here. 

Applying as a student

You should apply using Form BR1 and you will need the following:

1. Confirmation that you are enrolled at a genuine educational institution. The University will confirm the name, start and end dates of your programme. You can request this letter from Student Planning and Assessment (SPA).

2. Evidence of Comprehensive Sickness Insurance. This can be:

• Private medical insurance, or;
• For persons temporarily in the UK, a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your home country. The EHIC is the replacement for the E111 form. If you are relying on an EHIC, you will be required to show you are temporarily in the UK by completing a statement of intent. Read further information about applying for an EHIC in your own country.

3. Evidence that you will not be reliant on public funds. This can be through:

• Recent bank statements
• Evidence of sponsorship or funding
• A declaration, witnessed by a Commissioner of Oaths that you will not become a burden on that state.

It is important that you read the detailed guidance before you apply.

Applying as a highly skilled individual (graduate)

You should complete Form BR2. SIFSO can provide you with a letter confirming the dates of your study if you need it.

You may apply for yellow or blue certificates for your family members. To do this, you should include your family members on your application form.

Further information

More help and information is available from the UKCISA Webpages