Kent Students’ Union (KSU) is calling on all students and staff to sign a petition aimed at improving employment policies for those holding a student visa.
International students contribute greatly to the vibrant and diverse communities within universities, yet many face financial strain due to the current restrictions on working hours and the inability to engage in independent work.
The petition, created by Cláudia Moreira (VP for Postgrad and International Student Experience at KSU), seeks to make changes to the current employment restrictions.
Key changes the petition advocates for:
- Increasing working hours: The petition calls for the cap on working hours for international students to be raised from 20 to 30 hours per week. This would enable students to better support themselves financially without affecting their academic performance.
- Independent work and entrepreneurship: It also advocates for international students to have the right to engage in independent work, such as freelancing, or even start their own small businesses. This would provide them with more opportunities to gain real-world experience and further their careers.
- Flexibility during intermission periods: Students currently can only work full-time during the holidays. The petition calls for full-time work flexibility during intermission periods as well, giving students a chance to work without constraints.
- Extension of intermission periods: Finally, the petition calls for an extension of the intermission period from 59 to 120 days. This will provide international students more time to balance their academic commitments and prevent burnout.
How you can help
Signing this petition is an easy yet impactful way to support international students at Kent and beyond. You can sign the petition and learn more by visiting the petition page here.