united-kingdom immigration visa
Are UK Tier 4 visa holders permitted to have royalty income?
<p>I am going to the UK for an MA degree. According to the Tier-4 rules, I am not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week or be self-employed.</p>

<p>I currently have a published book, and I receive royalty income from it. The book was published in my home country prior to my obtaining a Tier-4 visa. Am I allowed to continue to receive such royalty income from my previous work while studying in the UK? Or would this be considered to be self-employment? I have sufficient savings to fund my time living in the UK without factoring in future royalty income.</p>

<p>A similar question was asked: <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/5402/how-to-publish-a-book-having-tier4">How to publish a book having TIER4?</a>, however this discusses publication of a book while on the visa, rather than publication before obtaining the visa.</p>

<p>You are allowed to have additional income, royalty or whatever.</p>

<p>If this income is less than personal allowance, $7000 (in 2014, when I were there), you don't have to do anything. If your earn more than that, you need to pay tax.</p>

<p>As long as you don't "work more than 20 hours per week or be self-employed", you would be fine.</p>

<p>In the UK, you don't file tax return, so if the income goes into your bank account in your home country, I guess it is not relevant.</p>
