Visa & Work 9 min read
💼Part-time work as an international student: country rules
How many hours can you legally work while studying? On-campus vs off-campus, term vs holiday, and the exact rules for the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Ireland.
USA (F-1 visa)
- On-campus: up to 20 hours/week during term, full-time during breaks. No separate approval needed.
- Off-campus: only through CPT (Curricular Practical Training) after 1 academic year, or OPT (Optional Practical Training) — 12 months after graduation, up to 36 for STEM.
- Never work off-campus without CPT/OPT authorization — it's a visa violation.
UK (Student Route)
- Degree-level at a licensed sponsor: 20 hours/week during term, unlimited during vacations.
- Below degree level: 10 hours/week during term.
- You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson, or run your own business.
- Graduate Route: 2 years unrestricted work after finishing (3 for PhD).
Canada (Study Permit)
- Off-campus: up to 24 hours/week during term (up from 20 in late 2024), full-time during scheduled breaks.
- On-campus: unlimited hours, no separate work permit.
- PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit): up to 3 years after graduating from an eligible DLI.
Australia (Subclass 500)
- 48 hours per fortnight during term (roughly 24/week), unlimited during official breaks.
- Cannot start work until your course begins.
- Post-study: Temporary Graduate visa (485) — 2–4 years depending on qualification and region.
Germany
- 140 full days or 280 half days per year for non-EU students — one of Europe's most generous limits.
- Working as a student assistant (HiWi) at your university has no cap.
- 18-month job-seeker residence after graduation to find work in your field.
Ireland, Netherlands, France (quick facts)
- Ireland: 20 hours/week during term, 40 hours in summer/winter breaks; 2-year Third Level Graduate Scheme.
- Netherlands: 16 hours/week during term (non-EU) or full-time in summer; requires employer to hold a TWV work permit.
- France: up to 964 hours/year (~60% of full-time); no separate permit needed with a valid student residence card.
Cash-earning tips that don't get you deported
- Track your hours weekly in a spreadsheet — immigration audits payslips against visa limits.
- Get paid by cheque or bank transfer, never cash-in-hand. Cash work leaves no legal record and can void your visa.
- Register with your university's career service — on-campus roles (library, TA, lab) count toward your CV and pay more per hour than most retail.
Put it into action