Petition · past parliament · Home Office

Remove work restrictions for international students

Closed 49 signatures

What the petition asks

Amend immigration rules to remove limit on working hours: Revise the existing framework to remove limits on the number of hours international students can work.
Alter rules to permit self-employment: This move will align with the entrepreneurial aspirations of many international students.

These changes are grounded in principles of human rights and equality.

According to some sources the average student's living costs are about £1,078 a month. With high student debt, and a cost of living crisis, a weekly working hour limit, combined with low wages, can mean that students are struggling to meet bare minimum costs.

The cap on work limits not just the right to work but also curtails the economic benefit of international students, which was £25.8 billion to the UK economy in 2018/19 (HEPI report).

Timeline

14 May 2024 Petition opened for signatures
29 May 2024 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 49
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 14 May 2024
Closed 29 May 2024

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.