Checking your bank account while you’re studying abroad is one of the most painful things to go through. Why? Well, it’s most likely that you have an almost empty bank account.
It’s common, though, especially with how expensive studying abroad is. But this begs the question: Can you work on a student visa to earn some extra cash?
The answer is yes. While a part-time job can help cover living costs and build valuable experiences, the rules vary widely among countries.
So, if you’re planning or currently pursuing your education abroad and want to earn some extra cash, here’s everything you need to know to get a job and not lose your visa.
Everything you need to know about working on your student visa in these countries
Source: PEXELS/Hugo Heimendinger
Austalia
To study in Australia, you’ll need aStudent Visa (Subclass 500).
You’ll be allowed to work up to 48 hours a fortnight (two consecutive weeks) when your course of study or training is in session. During school holidays, you can work unlimited hours.
In Australia, there are three types of employment: full-time, part-time, and casual. They’ll determine the hours you can work, rates of pay, breaks, and other entitlements. However, you’ll be required to pay for tax and superannuation for all types of employment.
Part-time employees work fewer than 38 hours per week and can often be found in hospitality and retail, care, cafes, or supply chain sectors.
Full-time employees work an average of 38 hours per week across a wide range of industries. Both employment types have entitlements to paid leave, including annual leave and sick leave.
Casual work is a little different: hours vary from week to week, and there are no employer commitments.
WhatNOT to do to avoid your visa getting revoked:
- Do not work more than 48 hours per fortnight while you’re studying
- Do not work before your course has officially started
- Do not assume you can work unlimited hours during break — do get it checked
- Do not engage in unpaid work that exceeds allowance
- Do not ignore “Cash-in-Hand” jobs, as the Australian Border Force (ABF) investigates employment history, digital bank transactions, and phone records for international students
Source: PEXELS/Burst
Canada
A Study Permit is required for international students to study in Canada. You can also work; however, only if it includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus.
Plus, you must meet all other requirements:
- A full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Enrolled in either of the following
- a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program or
- a secondary-level vocational training program (Quebec only)
- Your study program
- is at least 6 months long and
- leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
- You’ve started studying
- Have a social insurance number (SIN)
You can work up to 24 hours per week and work more than one job to make up these hours — as long as you continue to meet your study permit conditions.
If your current study permit states you may work only 20 hours per week off campus, you are still permitted to work up to 24 hours per week, provided that you continue to meet the conditions.
However, there are unlimited hours off campus if you’re working during a break scheduled by your DLI, which includes summer and winter holidays or reading week. The only requirement is that you’re a full-time student before and after the break.
WhatNOT to do to avoid your visa getting revoked:
- Do not work before your course has officially started
- Do not work if you’re on academic probation or authorised leave
If you plan on taking up an internship during your studies, you’ll be required to apply for an additional permit called the “Co-op Work Permit”. This permit will allow you to complete the mandatory work placements as well as:
- unlimited hours on campus
- up to 24 hours off campus, including both the hours worked at your co-op job and those worked at your regular paid job (if you have one)
- unlimited hours during regularly scheduled breaks
Source: PEXELS/Suhail Azmi
Malaysia
Working in Malaysia as an international student is a little different — you can only work during semester breaks or on holidays of more than seven days for 20 hours per week.
However, you are restricted to working at restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets, and hotels. Also, you are not allowed to work as cashiers, singers, masseurs, musicians, guest relations, or in jobs deemed immoral.
In order to get a part-time job, you’ll be required to send in an application through your university. And you’ll have to be accompanied by a representative of your institute to submit the application to the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
For your application, you must submit:
- Student’s supporting letter – a valid reason to work part-time
- A photocopy of their passport pages, including all pages
- Address, email, and contact number
- Offer letter from the prospective employer – inclusive indication of working hours, salary and position
- Academic calendar
- Supporting letter from the Dean/Head of School
Once submitted for approval, you’ll be required to attend an interview, after which the application will either be approved or declined.
WhatNOT to do to avoid your visa getting revoked:
- Do not work in industries that are not listed
- Do not work during your classes
- Do not work as a cashier
- Do not work more than 20 hours per week
- Do not neglect your studies
- Do not work for unregistered employers
- Do not ignore the 7-day rule
Source: PEXELS/Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist
Singapore
To work part-time jobs in Singapore as an international student, you’ll need a Student’s Pass issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and must be at least 14 years old.
However, not all universities permit their students to engage in part-time employment. So, it’s crucial for you to check with your institution.
That’s not all; you’ll be restricted to only 16 hours per week. You’re only able to work with no time restrictions during school holidays.
Students would often take up jobs as tutors, event crew, or retail sales assistants.
If you’re fromthese institutions, you’re eligible to work part-time, including:
- ESSEC Business School
- INSEAD
- LaSalle College of the Arts
- Nanyang Technological University
- National University of Singapore
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic
WhatNOT to do to avoid your visa getting revoked:
- Do not work without a valid Student’s Pass
- Failing to maintain a full-time enrollment or ceasing studies
- Do not provide false information to the ICA
- Do not exceed the allowed hours
Source: PEXELS/Pixabay
UK
If you’re on a student visa in the UK and are aged 16 and above, you’ll need to study full-time in order to hold a part-time job.
You can work up to 20 hours per week if you’re completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Plus, you can only work up to 10 hours a week if you’re studying a lower qualification degree.
Once the holidays roll around, you can work up to full-time hours, which is usually around 40 hours per week.
By the way, unpaid work, including internships, also counts towards your 10 or 20-hour term-time working limits.
The best part is that you can apply for and accept jobs in most types of paid roles at any level. You’re not restricted to working on campus. However, if you earn more than 15,000 pounds per year, this may raise suspicion with the Home Office.
WhatNOT to do to avoid your visa getting revoked:
- Do not freelance or work as self-employed (even if the employer is outside of the UK)
- You must not work as a professional sportsperson
- You must not work as an entertainer, which includes paid work as an actor, musician, dancer, or other performer.
- Do not hold a permanent full-time job
Source: PEXELS/Brett Sayles
US
If you’re on an F-1 student visa, you’ll be able to work, but must follow strict regulations.
You are not permitted to work off-campus for your first academic year, but may accept on-campus jobs. After your first year, you may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)
For on-campus work, you can work in libraries, cafes, or as a research or teaching assistant. Once you get your job letter offer, you’ll have to apply for a Social Security Number.
You’ll have to make sure your hours do not exceed 20 per week during the school semester.
WhatNOT to do to avoid your visa getting revoked:
- Do not work on-campus jobs that are positions that would otherwise be filled by a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Do not engage in self-employment, freelancing, or gig work, such as Uber or DoorDash, unless authorised under OPT.
