Part-time work while you study: the rules country by country

Part-time work helps with living costs, builds your CV and improves your confidence. It will not pay your tuition, and it should not be part of the money you show for your visa. In most destinations, a student working the maximum allowed hours at an entry-level job can cover some or much of their day-to-day living costs, but jobs take time to find, especially in the first months and in smaller cities.

Work limits are visa conditions. Breaking them, even by a few hours, can lead to your visa being cancelled and can affect future applications. Always check the conditions printed on your own visa.

• Degree-level students: up to 20 hours a week during term, full-time during official vacations.
• Below degree level: usually 10 hours a week.
• Self-employment, freelancing and work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer are not allowed.
• National Living Wage from April 2026: £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over.

• Up to 20 hours a week during term.
• Up to 40 hours a week during defined holiday periods, generally June to September and 15 December to 15 January.
• National minimum wage in 2026: €14.15 an hour for adults.

• Eligible full-time students at a designated learning institution can work off campus up to 24 hours a week during academic sessions.
• Full-time work is allowed during scheduled breaks such as the winter and summer holidays.
• On-campus work may not have the same weekly limit; check your permit.
• Minimum wages are set by each province and differ.

• Australia: up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Work that is a required part of your course is not counted.
• New Zealand: since November 2025, eligible student visa holders can work up to 25 hours a week during the study period (previously 20), and full-time during scheduled holidays. Some students need to apply for a variation of conditions to get the new limit.

• USA: F-1 students can work on campus up to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full-time during breaks. Off-campus work is only allowed through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorised by your school or USCIS. Unauthorised off-campus work is a serious violation of status.
• Germany: students from outside the EU can work 140 full days or 280 half days a year, and can alternatively work up to 20 hours a week during term. Student assistant jobs at the university are treated differently. The minimum wage from January 2026 is €13.90 an hour.

• Start with your university's careers service and on-campus jobs.
• Retail, hospitality, tutoring, delivery and campus roles are the usual first jobs; roles related to your field often come later.
• Get a contract or written offer, and make sure you are paid through payroll with tax deducted, not in cash.
• Never pay anyone to get you a job.
• Keep a record of your hours, especially if you have more than one job.
• Put your studies first: failing modules can put your visa at risk.