Updated on
Working part-time can cover daily costs while you study, but every country sets its own limit and breaking it can cost you your visa. This guide lists the current rules for seven study destinations, with the exceptions that catch students out.
Work limits at a glance
| Country | Limit during term | Full-time allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or 20 hours a week in lecture periods | In semester breaks |
| Canada | 24 hours a week off campus for eligible students | In scheduled breaks, up to 180 days a year |
| Australia | 48 hours per fortnight | In scheduled course breaks |
| United Kingdom | Usually 20 hours a week at degree level | In official vacations |
| New Zealand | 25 hours a week on new visas from 3 November 2025 | In scheduled breaks |
| France | 964 hours a year in total | Counted inside the yearly cap |
| United States | On campus up to 20 hours a week | On campus in breaks |
Rules apply to the date you work, and your visa conditions are what count. Always read the conditions printed on your own permit.
📌 Read More
Country notes
Germany
A half day is up to four hours. Student assistant jobs and jobs closely linked to your studies have no hour limit. After you graduate, a residence permit of up to 18 months lets you look for work in your field. Most public universities charge no tuition, but Baden-Württemberg and the Technical University of Munich charge non-EU students.
Canada
You must be full-time at a designated learning institution on a programme of at least six months, with a Social Insurance Number. Language, pathway and exchange students are generally not eligible. The break must be in your school’s published calendar and last at least seven days. Since 1 April 2026, eligible post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op permit for required placements. After graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit can last up to 3 years, based on your programme length.
Australia
The 48-hour fortnight rule applies during your course. The fortnight is counted as a rolling period, so plan shifts carefully. See our Australia student work rights guide with a counting example.
United Kingdom
Check your visa letter for the exact hour limit and any job types you cannot do. The Graduate Route currently lasts 2 years, and from 1 January 2027 it falls to 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s graduates. PhD graduates keep 3 years.
New Zealand
The 25-hour limit applies to tertiary students and Year 12 to 13 secondary students, on visas granted from 3 November 2025. If your visa still shows 20 hours, you need a variation of conditions or a new visa to get the higher limit.
📰 Similar Posts
France
The yearly cap of 964 hours is counted from the date your residence document is issued. Internships do not count towards it. Going over the cap can lead to your card not being renewed. France is also raising tuition for new non-EU students from September 2026, to EUR 2,895 a year for a bachelor’s and EUR 3,941 for a master’s, so budget for it.
United States
F-1 students may work on campus only, up to 20 hours a week in term. Off-campus work needs separate authorisation such as Optional Practical Training, which gives up to 12 months after each degree level and a 24-month extension for eligible STEM graduates. A partial suspension affects Nigerian F, M and J visa applicants from 1 January 2026, with exceptions, so confirm the current position before applying.
Worked example: Canada hours
Hypothetical example for illustration only: a full-time master’s student at a Canadian university works 22 hours in a week of classes, which is under the 24-hour limit. In a scheduled two-week break she works 40 hours a week, which is allowed because the break is in the school calendar. If she worked 30 hours during a class week, she would breach her permit conditions, even if her average over the month looked fine.
More Worked Examples
All examples are hypothetical and use the limits in the table above.
Germany: counting half days
A student works three 4-hour shifts a week in a cafe. Each shift counts as a half day, so that is 3 half days a week. Over 46 working weeks, the total is 138 half days, which is under the 280 half-day limit. If the same student adds a full-day shift each Saturday in the lecture period, each of those counts as a whole day, and the combined total must stay within 140 full days or 280 half days. Student assistant jobs at the university do not count against the limit.
Australia: the rolling fortnight
| Pattern | Week 1 | Week 2 | Fortnight total | Within 48? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 25 hours | 23 hours | 48 | Yes |
| B | 30 hours | 20 hours | 50 | No |
| C | 10 hours | 38 hours | 48 | Yes, but check every other fortnight window too |
Because any fortnight counts, not only fixed pay periods, a heavy week followed by a heavy week can breach the limit even if your pay slips look separate.
United States: on campus and after graduation
An F-1 student works 15 hours a week in the library during term. That is allowed. Taking a restaurant job off campus, even for a few shifts, is not allowed without authorisation. After graduation, Optional Practical Training can give up to 12 months of work in the field, and eligible STEM graduates can apply for a 24-month extension.
After You Graduate
| Country | Post-study route | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Residence permit to look for work | Up to 18 months |
| Canada | Post-Graduation Work Permit | Up to 3 years, depending on programme length |
| United Kingdom | Graduate Route | 2 years now; 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s graduates from 1 January 2027; 3 years for PhD |
| United States | Optional Practical Training | 12 months, plus 24 months for eligible STEM degrees |
| Ireland | Stamp 1G | 12 months for Level 8; 24 months for Level 9 or 10 |
Post-study rules are tied to the level of your qualification, the type of institution and your nationality, so confirm yours before you enrol. See our guide to post-study work routes for more.
How to Stay Inside the Rules
- Read the work conditions on your visa or permit, and ask the international office if anything is unclear.
- Keep a weekly log of hours worked, with employer name and dates.
- Tell every employer your weekly cap in writing, and refuse extra shifts that push you over it.
- Check your school’s published break dates before accepting full-time work.
- Keep payslips and tax records, since authorities can review them during later applications.
- Do not work unpaid or cash-in-hand for hours that would count, because they still count towards your limit.
Choosing a Destination by Work Rules
| If you want… | Look at | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible hours for part-time income | Australia, New Zealand, Canada | Higher living costs; hours are still capped |
| Work tied to your subject | Germany (student assistant roles) | German-language needs outside campus |
| A long post-study stay | Canada, Ireland, the UK | Rules that are changing, such as the UK Graduate Route |
| On-campus work only | United States | Limits on off-campus work and current visa policy for your nationality |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I work more than allowed?
You breach your visa conditions. Consequences can include losing student status, refusal of future permits, and removal. In Canada, work hours can be checked during a later permit application, so keep payslips and timesheets.
Do internships count towards the limit?
It depends on the country. In France internships do not count towards the 964 hours. In Canada, required placements need no separate permit from 1 April 2026 for eligible post-secondary students. Confirm with your school’s international office.
Can part-time work cover my living costs?
Seldom in full. Visa officers also expect you to show your own funds regardless of work income. See student proof of funds.
👀 You Missed
You Might Also Like
No responses yet