To the authorities, limiting student’s work hours means they’ll prioritize their studies.
Which frankly sounds good from every angle, except to some students.
They don’t think it’s necessary, therefore, they work beyond the allowed hours even though it’s against the law.
I witnessed this happen often when I worked part-time as an international student.
Then, it is only a problem if you get caught.
If you know a student working more than the allowed hours, you have to report the student.
Reporting it to the authorities is the right thing to do, and you don’t have to feel guilty about it.
Of course, the student will be punished but that’s what the law says, and the student is aware of the law.
If you want to report a student, here’s how.
How to report a student working more than 20 hours
To report a student working more than 20 hours, you need to get the student’s details, plus evidence, and submit everything to the authorities.
Step 1: Get the student’s information
You have to give the authorities details to work with, it’ll help them in their investigation.
You can submit:
- The student’s name (if you know it)
- The student’s contact info (if possible, or their address)
- Where the student works.
- The employer’s details
- And, proof that the student worked more than 20 hours
The more information you give to the authorities, the easier it is for them to carry out an investigation.
Read also: What happens if an international student fails a class in Canada?
Instead of just saying “I saw a student working more than 20 hours”, give the authorities more information about the student.
Step 2: Submit the student’s details to the authorities
Now that you have information about the student, plus evidence, submit everything to the authorities.
You can report the student offline or online.
If the student is studying in the UK, report to the Home Office.
If it’s in the USA, send your report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Homeland Security.
For students in Canada, you can report to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
In Germany, the appropriate agency is the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
If you’re in Australia, report to the Department of Home Affairs.
For students in the Netherlands, submit your report to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Every country has a specific agency responsible for handling immigration and visa violations, and that’s where you’ll direct your report.
Here are more details on how to report a student in either Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, the Netherlands or Germany.
How to report a student working more than 20 hours in the UK online
In the UK, the Home Office take immigration violations very seriously.
You can report anonymously to them or include your contact details.
If I’m reporting a student, I wouldn’t include my information, as it’s unnecessary.
The authorities will handle the investigation effectively with just the student’s details.
Rest assured, the Home Office treats all reports confidentially.
Read also: How long can an F1 student stay in the USA without attending school?
All information will be handled with discretion, whether or not you choose to remain anonymous.
You can report online or offline.
To report online:
-
- Go to the UKVI Report Immigration Crime page.
- Fill out the online form.
- In the form, include the student’s details and any evidence you have.
To report offline in the UK, call the:
-
- Immigration Enforcement hotline
0300 123 7000 - Crimestoppers
www.crimestoppers-uk.org
0800 555111 - The Anti-Terrorist hotline
www.met.police.uk
0800 789 321 - Fraud hotline
- 0800 788 887
- Immigration Enforcement hotline
Calls are allowed between 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week.
Read also: How much bank balance is required for a Canada student visa?
If you prefer sending an email to the UK Home Office, that’s also allowed.
Send it to complaints@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Finally, you can report to HMRC online.
How to report a student working more than 20 hours in the United States
If a student in the U.S. is working more than 20 hours a week, report it to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- You can submit a tip online by filling out the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tip Form.
- Or, call the Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 to report the violation.
- If you’re outside the U.S., call 1-802-872-6199.
Furthermore, you can email your report to eoir.fraud.program@usdoj.gov.
Through these channels, you can submit your report discreetly and securely.
How to report a student working more than 20 hours in Canada
If the student is in Canada, submit your report to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
To do this:
- Go to the CBSA’s secure web form here or use the link: https://bwl-lsf.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/tip-sub-en.html.
- In the form, submit details about the student.
- And, add your evidence.
Just like in other countries discussed so far, you can report anonymously.
For offline reports, call the Border Watch Toll-Free Line at 1‑888-502-9060.
They’re available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
In addition, you can email citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.
If you want an in-person report, visit or contact your local Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office.
How to report a student working more than 20 hours in Germany
For a student in Germany, report to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
To do this:
Contact the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in the area where the student resides or is studying.
Submit the student’s details to them.
The authorities will handle the situation from there.
You can see the contact information for local immigration offices on the BAMF website.
In addition, the BAMF hotline at +49 30 1815-1111 is available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CET, Monday to Friday, for further assistance.
How to report a student working more than 20 hours in Australia
In Australia, the Department of Home Affairs handles immigration/visa violations.
To report to them:
- Fill out the form on the Department of Home Affairs anonymous page here.
- On the form, drop the student’s information.
You can also report to the Immigration and Citizenship Reporting Lineon by calling their number: 1800 009 623 (in Australia).
Read also: Cheapest high schools in Canada for international students
Or call: 1800 009 849 between 9 am to 5 pm, from Monday to Friday.
In addition to reporting the student to the immigration authorities directly, you can also report to the student’s institution by:
- Contacting the institution’s student support office
- Emailing the institution’s compliance office
- Using the institution’s whistleblower programs
Why you should report a student working more than 20 hours
While it’s natural to sympathize with students who work more than 20 hours, often because, they do it to make money which they use for their education, it’s important to uphold the law.
Reporting a student who is working more than the allowed hours is a way for you to contribute to maintaining fairness and compliance with regulations.
It is the right thing to do and you don’t have to feel guilty about it.
If you fail to report the student, you are encouraging the student.
Do not forget the popular saying “When you see something, say something”.
Is there anyone who worked more than 20 hours per week on a Tier 4 visa in the UK and stayed there legally?
No, there is no record of anyone who worked more than 20 hours per week on a Tier 4 visa, that was caught and allowed to stay in the UK legally.
If you are caught, your visa will be cancelled, which means you’ll leave the UK.
IRCC new rules for international student’s working hours
The IRCC’s new rules for international students working hours state that:
- International students with a valid study permit can now work up to 24 hours per week off campus or on campus during regular academic sessions.
- Secondly, during scheduled breaks, like winter or summer holidays, international students can work full-time (more than 24 hours per week) off campus or on campus.
Who do I need to complain to if students are working as cash in hand in the United Kingdom?
If you suspect that a student is working cash in hand in the United Kingdom, report this to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through their online reporting form.
Or, call their Fraud Hotline at 0800 788 887.
What should I do if I accidentally worked more than 20 hours in only one week in an NI job on my tier-4 student visa in the UK?
If you accidentally worked more than 20 hours in a single week on your Tier 4 student visa, make sure it doesn’t happen again by sticking strictly to the allowed hours going forward.
Inform your employer about the mistake so your hours can be adjusted accordingly.
Finally, keep a record of the incident, and in the following week, work fewer than 20 hours to compensate for the extra time worked previously.
How many hours can student dependents work in the UK? Is there any work hours restriction for student dependents?
In the UK, student dependents do not have any work hour restriction imposed on their visa.
They’re allowed to work without limitations – this means that student dependants can work full-time, part-time, or even freelance if they want to, without any issues.
How does the UK government calculate a student’s weekly hours if they are paid monthly?
They calculate a student’s weekly working hours by dividing the total number of hours worked in a month by the number of weeks in that month.
Even if you are paid monthly, immigration authorities expect you to follow the allowed work hours.
Read also: International students in Australia cannot change courses under the new law
Reporting a student working more than 20 hours is our collective responsibility.
It is what the law demands from us.
When you report, you help the government fight immigration violations.