Am I allowed to work whilst studying abroad?

Working whilst you study abroad can help you with your budget during your studies, but you should be aware of the rules governing working abroad whilst you are studying. In many countries, your student visa will come with limits on the amount of paid work you are allowed to do. You should also be wary not to overdo it so that you have enough time to devote to your studies.

Read our guides to working whilst studying in these popular study destinations so you know what to expect.

Working while you study in the UK

When you are granted a Student Visa for the UK, and you are enrolled on a full-time degree level course, you are allowed to find employment in the UK. There are limits to how much work you are permitted to do:

During university term time, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week (Monday-Sunday)
You may work full-time hours during university term time if you are on a work placement that is an assessed part of your course. If this is the case, your work placement must not be longer than 50% of the total duration of your course.
You may work full-time hours during vacation periods between terms.

There are other limitations that you should consider regarding working in the UK while you study:

If you hold a Student Visa to study a part time course in the UK, you are not permitted to work in the UK. This includes both paid and unpaid work.
If you hold a Student Visa, you cannot be employed on a permanent contract, you are only permitted to work on a temporary basis.
On a UK Student Visa, you can not set up your own business in the UK, or be self-employed. You can also not gain employment as an entertainer or as a professional athlete.

Please be aware that you should check your student visa to ensure that it does not state that you are not allowed to work.

Working while you study in the USA

If you have entered the USA on an F-1 Student Visa (as an academic student), you are permitted to accept on-campus employment during your first year of studies, albeit with certain restrictions:

Your on campus employment must not displace a U.S. citizen from their employment.
You may only work up to 20 hours per week during term time. You may work full-time when school is not in session, or during annual vacation.
Your job must be physically located on the school campus, or an educationally affiliated organization.

After your first academic year, you may be entitled to work in the following types of off campus employment:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT). This is training that relates directly to your major area of study and is an integral part of your school’s curriculum.
Optional Practical Training (OPT). This is training that relates directly to your major study area.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics subjects (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT).

Working while you study in Australia

If you have qualified for an Australian student visa (subclass 500), you are allowed to work during your studies. The rules you must follow are:

You can work up to 48 hours every two weeks during term time.
You may work unlimited hours during study breaks.

As an international student working part time hours on a student visa, Australian workplace laws protect your rights the same as all workers in Australia. This means that:

You have the right to be paid at least Australia’s minimum wage
As an employee, you must apply for a tax file number and supply it to your employer before starting your job

Working while you study in China

If you have been studying in China for at least a year, you are now allowed to work on or off campus. The year period is intended to give you as a student sufficient time to acclimatize to Chinese culture and language.

You will be entitled to work for a maximum of 8 hours per week. You are not allowed to exceed 40 hours of work per month.

During winter and summer vacations, you are allowed to work for a maximum of 16 hours per week and 80 hours per month.

If you wish to take up employment during your studies in China, this should be agreed with both your university and your immigration authorities beforehand.

Working while you study in Canada

If your study permit for Canada includes a condition that says that you may work on or off campus, you are eligible to work whilst you study in Canada without getting a work permit.

You are entitled to receive at least minimum wage for your work, and in Canada this amount will vary by province.

Generally you will be limited to working up to 20 hours per week during term time in Canada, whilst you are allowed to work full time hours during school breaks.

Working while you study in New Zealand

Your New Zealand student visa will inform you if you are allowed to work while you study in New Zealand, and how long you are allowed to work for.

Generally if you are studying full time and your course is at least 2 years long you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. You are permitted to work full time hours during holiday periods and breaks between university semesters.

Working while you study in Singapore

Usually as a foreigner in Singapore, you require a work pass in order to work in Singapore. Those with a student pass and meeting certain criteria may be given a work pass exemption. You must be enrolled on a university course from a specified list of educational institutions which can be found on the Ministry of Manpower website.

During school terms, you will be allowed to work up to 16 hours per week, with no limit on working hours during vacation.

Working while you study in Germany

As an international student from outside the EU, the rules that govern your permission to work are different to that for a EU national. As an international student from outside the EU, you are allowed to work up to 120 days full-time per year, or 240 half days per year.

For EU nationals, you may work up to 20 hours per week during term time in Germany.

As a rule, you may not spend more time working than studying in Germany, or your main occupation will no longer be considered as being a student.

Working while you study in France

All students studying abroad in France have the right to work. If you are a non-EU student in France, you are required to have a student residence permit to be allowed to work.

A French student studying in France will not be subject to a limit of working hours, though you will be recommended by your university not to work too many hours so that it does not impede your studies. This also applies to students from EU countries.

Non-EU international students are permitted to work up to the equivalent of 60% of a full-time job, which equates to up to 964 hours per year. Students from Algeria are permitted to work up to the equivalent of 50% of a full-time job.

All workers in France are guaranteed at least the French minimum wage, including students.

Working while you study in Italy

If you are studying abroad in Italy, your Italian student visa permits you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time. You are permitted to work up to 40 hours per week during holidays and breaks between semesters.

International Study Advice