Work permits
Student Internships
This page explains the criteria of the Student Internship work permit arrangements.
The Student Internship arrangements allow students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), studying first or higher degree courses overseas to undertake an internship with an employer in this country. A student will only be given permission for one internship with an employer and approval will be given for a maximum of three months.
Student Internship applications are made against the following criteria:
- there is a United Kingdom based employer; and
- the individual is to be an employee of the United Kingdom based employer; and
- the employer has a significant trading presence in the United Kingdom and in another country or countries; and
- the employer is responsible for the post; and
- the gross pay and conditions of employment should reflect the normal trainee rates applicable to the profession or sector in which the internship is offered; and
- the employment complies with United Kingdom legislation and any requirements for registration or licensing necessary for the employment for which the permit is being sought; and
- the internship should be at level 3 or above at national/Scottish vocational qualification (N/SVQ) and the person must be a student at a college or university overseas; and
- the person must be out of the country when the application is submitted and while the decision is made; and
- the employer should be considering recruiting the student, normally as a trainee, following completion of their course.
To find out further information about Student Internships, please refer to the Student Internship employer guidance notes which can be downloaded from the right side of this page.
For information on how to make a Student Internship work permit application, please refer to the Applying page.
Application forms
Student Internships
- Form WPSIDOC 1.4M opens in a new window
- Guide WPSIPDF 149K opens in a new window
See also
General guides
- General information (PDF 154K opens in a new window)
- Service standards (PDF 97K opens in a new window)
- Payment guide (PDF 157K opens in a new window)
Shortage occupations
News & updates
Terms explained
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European Economic Area
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.
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Resident worker
A person who is a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or is legally settled in the United Kingdom with permission to work here. In some cases, an employer who wishes to employ a person who is not a permanent resident must show that no resident worker could be found to take the job.
Contact
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Work permits customer contact centre
0114 207 4074
Customer Contact Centre, UK Border Agency, PO Box 3468, Sheffield, S3 8WA