A Nigerian student, identified as Onyinye, has spoken of how her studies in the United Kingdom were abruptly cut short after she breached visa conditions.
In an emotional video shared online, she said she had exceeded the 20-hour weekly work limit imposed on international students during term time. She explained that she took on extra shifts after the death of her father, her main sponsor, who left her struggling to survive.
Her account has drawn attention to the difficulties faced by many international students who try to balance their studies with financial pressures.
UK visa rules permit students to work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during holidays. Universities are legally obligated to report any breaches to the Home Office, which can result in visa curtailment, expulsion from courses, and deportation from the country.
Onyinye’s case highlights the broader consequences of breaching visa conditions, which can affect future applications and leave lasting marks on immigration records.
Immigration advisers have urged students to be cautious, stressing that the 20-hour cap is a “hard limit” and cannot be averaged across weeks.
