Minimum Wage in the UK for International Students (2026)
As an international student in the UK, you have the right to work — and your employer must pay you at least the legal minimum wage. Here is everything you need to know: the rates, the hours you are allowed to work on a Student visa, and how much you can realistically earn per week.
If you're 21+
£12.21/hr
National Living Wage
Term-time limit
20 hrs/wk
Student visa condition
Max term-time earn
~£244
Per week (gross)
UK minimum wage rates in 2026
The UK has two tiers: the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over, and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for younger workers. The rates below came into effect from April 2025 and apply until April 2026, when the government typically announces updated figures. Always verify the latest rates on Gov.UK.
UK Minimum Wage Rates — April 2025 onwards
Age GroupRateTier
21 and over£12.21/hrNational Living Wage
18 to 20£10.00/hrNMW
Under 18£7.55/hrNMW
Apprentices£7.55/hrNMW
💡These rates are the legal minimum. Many employers — especially in London — pay above minimum wage to attract staff. Always negotiate and always check your payslip.
How many hours can you work on a Student visa?
Your Student visa (formerly Tier 4) includes a specific work restriction. Exceeding it is a visa violation — so this matters.
During term time — maximum 20 hours per week. This includes all paid and unpaid work across all employers combined.
During official vacations — you can work full time (no hours cap) if your course is at degree level or above.
Between courses — if you have completed one course and are awaiting the start of a new one, you may also work full time.
The 20-hour limit applies per week, not per employer. If you have two part-time jobs, the total must not exceed 20 hours. Some students miss this and risk visa refusal on renewal.
Work as a sole trader, freelancer, or self-employed is generally not permitted on a Student visa without a separate permission. Check your visa conditions on the Home Office website if unsure.
How much can you earn per week?
Here is a rough breakdown of maximum weekly gross earnings at minimum wage, based on the 20-hour cap during term time:
Age 21+ (NLW)
£244.20
20hrs × £12.21 (gross)
Age 18–20 (NMW)
£200.00
20hrs × £10.00 (gross)
Under 18 (NMW)
£151.00
20hrs × £7.55 (gross)
These are gross figures — you will pay Income Tax and National Insurance on earnings above the personal allowance (£12,570/year). Most part-time students earning around £200–£244/week for 30–36 weeks of term will stay well within the personal allowance and pay little to no tax.
During university holidays (typically 12–16 weeks per year), you can work full time. At 37.5 hours per week and £12.21/hr that is around £457/week gross — a significant boost to your savings.
What to check on your payslip
UK employers must give you a payslip for every pay period. It should show:
Your gross pay (before deductions) and net pay (what you receive)
Any Income Tax deducted (via PAYE) and your tax code
National Insurance contributions (only if you earn above the lower earnings limit)
Your hourly rate — confirm it is at or above the legal minimum for your age
If you are paid in cash with no payslip, this is a red flag. It may mean the employer is not paying the correct rate or not deducting tax properly — which can affect your right to a tax refund later.
💡Keep every payslip. You will need them if you ever claim a tax refund from HMRC, apply for further leave to remain, or dispute unpaid wages.
What to do if you are being paid less than minimum wage
It is illegal for any UK employer to pay below minimum wage — regardless of your immigration status or visa type. You have the right to be paid the legal minimum, and you can report underpayment without fear of visa consequences.
Contact the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) for free employment rights advice: acas.org.uk
Your university's Student Union often has a free advice service for employment disputes
Agencies and recruiters cannot charge you a fee to find you a job in the UK. This is illegal. If a recruiter asks for money upfront, report them to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
Where to receive your wages
You will need a UK bank account to receive your wages. Most employers pay by BACS transfer and cannot pay into a foreign account.
The fastest option for international students is a digital bank — you can open an account in under 10 minutes with no UK credit history:
Monzo — free account, instant notifications, easy budgeting categories. Open in minutes with your passport and proof of address.
Revolut — good for sending money home; holds multiple currencies in one account.
Starling — no fees, full bank account, strong app. Requires a video call to verify identity.