Savanna Hoffman
International students often take on part-time jobs to offset the costs of their studies. While the financial incentive is usually the main reason, there are other benefits to working part-time, such as gaining work experience and building a professional network. In the US, international students with F-1 visas are allowed to work on-campus in specific roles, such as in a school bookstore or cafeteria, and may work up to 20 hours per week during school terms. After their first academic year, F-1 students may also be eligible for off-campus employment under certain conditions. In Canada, international students are generally allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet other requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can an international student work part-time? | Yes, but there are strict rules around what is permitted by the government. |
| Visa requirements | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Work hours | F-1 students' total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. |
| Work during break | F-1 students may work full-time during breaks when school is not in session. |
| OPT | Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to work temporarily in a job related to their field of study. |
| CPT | Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a part of the academic curriculum of international students. |
| Off-campus work | F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. |
| On-campus work | On-campus employment is defined as work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location affiliated with the school. |
| Canada | International students in Canada can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. |
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Visa requirements
International students intending to work part-time must comply with the visa requirements of the country they are studying in. In the United States, international students can work part-time, but they need to ensure they follow the rules and regulations concerning their visa.
The US offers two types of nonimmigrant visas for international students: the F-1 Visa (for academic students) and the M-1 Visa (for vocational students). F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment, up to 20 hours per week during the school term, and full-time during school breaks. After the first year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). OPT is temporary employment directly related to the student's area of study, while CPT is an integral part of the student's curriculum or a requirement for a course for which they receive academic credit. To be eligible for CPT, students must have a job offer in their major or field of study and receive authorization from their International Student Office. For OPT, students must apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
M-1 visa holders can participate in vocational or other non-academic programs, except for language training. It is unclear whether M-1 visa holders can work part-time, but they can apply for post-completion OPT.
To obtain either visa, students must be enrolled full-time at an accredited academic institution, be proficient in English, and have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies. Students must also maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving it up and may need to undergo an interview to determine their eligibility.
In the United Kingdom, a student visa allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, including both paid and unpaid work. Students can work full-time during official vacation periods but must be mindful of the University's stricter working restrictions. Volunteering is allowed, but voluntary work, which includes contractual obligations, is restricted like paid work. Additionally, student visas do not permit business activity, such as setting up a trading business or working for a company where the student holds a significant beneficial interest.
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On-campus jobs
International students in the US can work on-campus part-time, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students must be enrolled full-time and hold a valid F-1 visa. While school is in session, students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week. This is the combined total for all jobs, not 20 hours per job. Students with multiple on-campus jobs must carefully communicate this to their employers and limit their hours accordingly.
During vacation periods, such as winter, spring, and summer breaks, students may work full-time on campus. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they do not exceed their maximum allowed hours. On-campus employment is available to all F-1 students except border commuter students. F-1 students do not need USCIS approval for on-campus employment, but the employer must be educationally affiliated with the school.
There are various on-campus jobs available for international students. For example, many residence halls have a Guest Sign-In policy from 9 pm to 7 am, and require a Night Desk Attendant to man the desk and sign in residents' guests. Learning Centers on campus also hire tutors to help students with various subjects. To be a tutor, you typically need to apply in the spring semester and get a recommendation from an advisor to prove you have the academic knowledge for the course(s) you will be tutoring.
Students who are suffering "severe economic hardship", as defined by USCIS, may be eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time during breaks. To qualify, students must show that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient, and they must make a good-faith effort to find on-campus employment before applying.
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Off-campus jobs
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work part-time, but only on campus and in training programs. They must also complete a Form W-4 tax return. F-1 students can work off-campus after their first academic year, but only in three types of employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and post-completion OPT. Students with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics can request a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus in cases of severe economic hardship or special student relief. However, their total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term.
International students in Canada can work off-campus without a work permit for up to 24 hours per week, but only if they are full-time students at a designated learning institution. They can also work remotely for an employer outside Canada as long as they meet the conditions of their study permit.
In the US, M-1 visa holders are not permitted to work during their studies. However, after their vocational studies have finished, they can work full-time in a practical training role related to their vocation.
International students must be mindful that regulations change constantly and should familiarise themselves with the rules and restrictions of their host country.
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Work hours
The work hours for international students vary depending on the country and visa status. Here is some information about work hours for international students in different countries:
United States:
F-1 students in the United States can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. Off-campus work for F-1 students is limited and requires authorization from USCIS. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an option for F-1 students, allowing them to gain practical training in their academic field after one year of full-time study. Students can choose to work full-time or part-time during their CPT internships, depending on the institution's policy.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another form of work authorization that allows F-1 students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. OPT must be completed within 14 months after completing a degree, and the application must be received by USCIS before graduation.
Canada:
International students in Canada can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements, including being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI). During breaks, students can work unlimited hours, but they must be full-time students both before and after the break.
United Kingdom:
In the UK, international students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time if they are studying for a qualification at or above degree level. For those studying below degree level, the limit is 10 hours per week during term time. Full-time work is permitted outside of term time, including vacations, work placements, and after the course has ended.
Child students aged 16 or over can work up to 10 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations.
Other Countries:
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Tax implications
The tax implications for international students working part-time vary depending on the country they are studying in. Here is an overview of the tax implications for international students in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
United States
In the US, international students with an F-1 visa are typically considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes for the first five calendar years of their stay. Nonresident aliens are required to file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) for income from US sources. They may also need to fill out a W-4 tax form with their employer when they start work. Additionally, even if an F-1 student did not earn any income during their time in the US, they must still file a Form 8843 with the IRS before the deadline.
United Kingdom
In the UK, international students working part-time are subject to tax obligations, depending on their residency status and income levels. Income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are the primary concerns for international students working part-time. Generally, income tax and NICs deductions are automatically taken from wages through a process called Pay As You Earn (PAYE). International students are required to pay income tax if their average monthly earnings exceed £1,048, and NICs become mandatory if weekly earnings surpass £242. It is important to note that cash-in-hand jobs may not adhere to tax regulations, leading to legal penalties and potential impacts on visa applications.
Canada
While I could not find specific information on tax implications for international students working part-time in Canada, it is likely that they would need to comply with the country's tax regulations. Canada generally requires individuals to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work and pay taxes. International students working in Canada should consult official government sources or seek professional advice to understand their tax obligations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work two part-time jobs, but the total hours worked per week must not exceed 20 hours. This includes both on-campus and off-campus jobs. CPT authorization is required for off-campus work.
Some examples of part-time jobs that international students can take include tutoring or peer mentoring, teaching assistantships, front-of-house assistant or runner in dining facilities, and research assistantships.
International students on an F-1 visa are restricted to on-campus employment during their first academic year. On-campus jobs must directly provide services to students and must not displace US citizens or lawful permanent residents. Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
