Studying abroad can be expensive, with tuition, accommodation, food, transport and visa-related costs adding up quickly. The OECD identifies these as major financial considerations for international students, with many students relying partly on income earned during their studies to help cover their expenses.
You may be considering part-time work to help manage these costs. However, your student visa or study permit determines whether you can work, how many hours you can work and whether you need additional permission.
Admission alone does not automatically give you the right to work, so it is important to check the rules before choosing where to study. In this article, we cover seven countries that allow international students to work while studying, including their work-hour limits, job options and key visa conditions.
Countries That Allow International Students to Work While Studying
Work rights vary by country. Some student visas allow you to work without a separate permit, while others limit the type of work or require additional approval. Before taking a job, ensure to check your visa conditions, work-hour limit and any permit requirements to avoid breaching your immigration status.
Here are seven countries where eligible international students can work while studying:
1. Canada
Canada allows eligible international students to work while studying. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions and work unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
Canada also allows you to work on campus without a separate work permit if you meet the conditions on your study permit. However, you will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) before you start working.
Common student jobs include retail, hospitality, customer service, library support, research assistance and administrative roles.
If you are considering Canada, check your study permit carefully before accepting a job. You must remain eligible, actively pursue your studies and stay within the permitted work conditions to avoid affecting your immigration status.
2. United Kingdom
One of the top countries that allow international students to work while studying is the United Kingdom, but your permitted hours depend on your course and institution.
According to the UK government’s Immigration Rules, students on a full-time degree-level course at an eligible higher education provider can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official vacations. And students on eligible below-degree-level courses can also work up to 10 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations.
However, not every student has permission to work. Students on certain courses, including part-time study, may have no work rights.
If you are eligible to work, you can take jobs in areas such as hospitality, retail, customer service, administration and university support. You may also complete a work placement if it is an approved and assessed part of your course.
There are also important restrictions. You cannot be self-employed, engage in business activity, work as professional sportspersons or sports coaches, work as entertainers, or fill a permanent full-time vacancy, subject to limited exceptions under the Immigration Rules.
Do not just accept a job because you want to earn extra money, ensure to check the work conditions on your visa and confirm your university’s official term and vacation dates. Staying within your permitted hours and job restrictions is essential to maintaining your immigration status.
3. Australia
International students with a valid Student visa (subclass 500) are allowed to work while studying in Australia. According to the Australian Government, you are allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
However, note that you cannot start working before your course officially begins. You must also remain enrolled in your registered course and meet its attendance and academic progress requirements. If you are undertaking a master’s degree by research or a doctoral degree, you have different work conditions, so check your specific visa conditions before starting work.
Common student jobs include hospitality, retail, aged-care support, warehouse work, cleaning and customer service. You will also need a Tax File Number (TFN) to work and pay the correct amount of tax.
One of the great benefits of studying in Australia is that you are also protected by Australian workplace laws and are entitled to the applicable minimum employment conditions, including minimum pay and payslips.
Join any of these WhatsApp Groups to receive Scholarship alerts on WhatsApp
4. Germany
Germany is also one of the top countries that allows international students to work while studying whether you are from outside the EU or EEA, but its subject to the conditions of your residence permit.
According to the German government’s immigration portal, you are allowed to work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year without approval from the Federal Employment Agency. A working day of up to four hours is counted as a half-day.
Also, you may work around 20 hours per week during the lecture period, with greater flexibility during semester breaks. Common student jobs include research and library assistance, tutoring, hospitality, babysitting and other student support roles. Some positions may require German-language skills, so learning basic German can improve your job options.
5. New Zealand
New Zealand allows eligible international students to work while studying, but your work rights depend on your student visa and programme. Since 3 November 2025, you can generally work up to 25 hours per week during their studies according to immigration New Zealand. You may also work full-time during scheduled breaks if your course and visa conditions allow it.
If you are studying for a master’s by research or a PhD, you may have unlimited work rights.
Common student jobs include hospitality, retail, customer service, farm work, tourism and administrative support. Note that you will need an IRD number for tax purposes before starting work.
New Zealand is a good option if you want to gain work experience alongside your studies. Another great thing about the study destination is that it is one of the most affordable countries in Europe with low tuition.
6. Ireland
Ireland allows eligible international students to work while studying. If you’re a non-EEA student with Stamp 2 immigration permission, you can generally work up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during designated holiday periods. These holidays include June, July, August and September, as well as 15 December to 15 January.
Not all students have the same work rights. Students with Stamp 2A permission are generally not allowed to work, so check your immigration permission before accepting a job.
Common student jobs include hospitality, retail, hotel services, customer service and administrative roles. If you’re considering Ireland, remember that immigration authorities require students to show they have sufficient funds to support themselves and should not rely on casual employment to meet their financial requirements.
Ireland can be a good option if you want to study in an English-speaking country while gaining permitted work experience. Before starting a job, confirm your Stamp 2 conditions and stay within the permitted working hours.
EXPLORE SCHOLARSHIPS
Canada, the UK and Australia are top countries that allow international student to work while studying, Canada generally allows up to 24 hours per week, the UK up to 20 hours per week for eligible degree-level students, and Australia up to 48 hours per fortnight while classes are in session. All three generally allow more work during scheduled breaks.
If your priority is having more flexibility to work during your studies, Canada may have an advantage because of its 24-hour weekly limit and the opportunity for unlimited work during scheduled breaks. Compare tuition fees, living costs, university quality, work opportunities and post-study career options before deciding.
Whichever country you choose, check your student visa or study permit conditions before accepting a job. Keep track of your working hours, follow any restrictions on the type of employment and never rely on part-time income as your primary source of funding.
Part-time work should support your education, not put your studies or immigration status at risk. For more ways to earn while studying abroad, read our guide on ways international students can earn extra income abroad.
[Concluding paragraphs]
Visit HERE to check out ongoing Scholarship opportunities across the world.
Receive Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: Scholarship Region WhatsApp
- Facebook: Scholars Region
- Twitter: @scholarsregion
- Telegram: Scholarship Region
