How to report a student working more than 20 hours

Student work hours are limited to ensure their studies come first.

However, some students work beyond the allowed hours.

If you know a student doing this, reporting it to the authorities is the right step to take.

And, here’s how to do it.

How to report a student working more than 20 hours

To report a student working more than 20 hours, get the student’s details, plus evidence, and submit everything to the authorities.

Step 1: You need the student’s information

The details of your report will help with the authority’s investigation.

You can provide:

• The student’s name (if you know it)
• The student’s contact info (if possible, or their address)
• Where they work.
• The employer’s details
• And, proof that the student worked more than 20 hours

The more details you include in your report, the better.

Read also: 5 consequences of working more than 20 hours on a student visa

Instead of just saying “I saw a student working more than 20 hours”, give the authorities enough information to work with – it makes their investigation easier.

Step 2: Submit your report to the authorities

With the evidence and details you have about the student, submit your report to the authorities directly or through the student’s institution.

You can report offline or online.

If the student is studying in the UK, report to the Home Office.

In the USA, reports should be made to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Homeland Security.

For students in Canada, you can report the violation 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.

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, so any information you provide will be handled with discretion, whether or not you choose to remain anonymous.

Read also: 10 Worst places to live in Alberta for students.

You can report online or offline.

To report online:

• • Visit the UKVI Report Immigration Crime page.
  • Fill out the online form with details of the student, including details of the violation, and any evidence you have.

To report offline, you can call the:

• • Immigration Enforcement hotline
    0300 123 7000
  • Crimestoppers
    http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org
    0800 555111
  • The Anti-Terrorist hotline
    http://www.met.police.uk
    0800 789 321
  • Fraud hotline 
  • 0800 788 887

Calls are allowed between 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week.

If you prefer to send an email to the UK Home Office, 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 the student 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.

Alternatively, you can email your report to eoir.fraud.program@usdoj.gov.

These channels ensure that reports can be submitted 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).

• Visit the CBSA’s secure web form and submit details about the student, plus your evidence.
• 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, and provide the necessary details.

Read also: Chances of getting Australian student visa after refusal: 5 Strategies to secure approval after refusal

The authorities will handle the situation from there.

You can find contact information for local immigration offices on the BAMF website.

Additionally, 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, report the issue to them by:

• Visiting the Department of Home Affairs anonymous page here.
• On the form, provide information about the student and include your evidence.

You can also report to the Immigration and Citizenship Reporting Lineon by calling their number: 1800 009 623 (in Australia).

Or call: 1800 009 849 between  9 am to 5 pm, from Monday to Friday.

Aside from reporting the student to the immigration authorities directly, you can 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 out of financial need, it’s important to uphold the law.

Reporting a student exceeding these hours is your responsibility in maintaining fairness and compliance with regulations.

Read also: What happens if I don’t get my student visa on time in Australia?

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 “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?

There is no record of anyone who has 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 can be cancelled, which will eventually lead to you leaving the UK.

As a student, staying in the UK on a Tier 4 visa requires you to work according to the allowed number of hours.

Read also: What happens if an international student gets pregnant in Canada?

If you go beyond it, you are breaching your visa terms and will be kicked out of the country sooner or later.

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 work up to 24 hours per week off campus or on campus during regular academic sessions.
• Secondly, during scheduled breaks, such as 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, you can report this to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through their online reporting form or contact 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, ensure 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 on work hours – this means that student dependants can work full-time, part-time, or even freelance if they want to, without restrictions.

How does the UK government calculate a student’s weekly hours if they are paid monthly?

The UK government calculates 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 weekly limit of 20 hours during term time.

How does the government determine if a student worked over 20 hours in the UK?

To determine if a student worked over 20 hours per week, the UK government checks the student’s employment report, and tax report, or goes for routine checks.

They can also get tips from anonymous persons.

You can find more details about how the government determine if a student worked over 20 hours by clicking here.

Reporting a student working more than 20 hours is our collective responsibility.

Read also: I have received my student visa for Canada, how many months before I can travel?

It is what the law demands from us. When you report, you help the government fight immigration violations.