Working Full-Time As An International Student: Is It Possible?

International students often need to work part-time to cover their living costs and gain work experience. The rules for international students working part-time vary by country and visa type. In the US, F-1 visa students can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and 40 hours per week during breaks without needing extra paperwork. They can also apply for off-campus work authorization in cases of severe economic hardship, allowing them to work up to 20 hours per week during the school term. In Canada, international students can work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit and full-time during breaks. They can also apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) to work in any profession for up to three years after graduation.

Can an international student work for 40 hours?

International students in the UK can work up to 20 hours per week during term time

International students in the UK are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, provided they have permission to work on their student visa letter. This is a maximum of 20 hours per week and includes both paid and unpaid work. This limit also applies if you have multiple employers.

The rules are different outside of term time, when international students can work full-time hours (approximately 40 per week). However, this does not apply to part-time students, who are not permitted to work outside of term time.

There are also different rules for students pursuing qualifications lower than a degree, such as a diploma or certificate. In this case, students are limited to working 10 hours per week during term time.

International students in the UK on a student visa are not allowed to work 40 hours a week during term time. However, if you are on a work placement that is formally part of your university degree, you may work up to 20 hours in addition to your placement, meaning you could work more than 40 hours in total per week.

It is important to note that international students in the UK cannot take on permanent jobs, and there are various restrictions in place for those on visas.

International students in the US can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus

International students in the US can work a maximum of 20 hours per week on-campus. This rule applies to students enrolled full-time and in valid F-1 status, and it ensures they maintain their F-1 student status and don't risk losing it. Students with an F-1 visa are not eligible to work off-campus without meeting specific requirements and obtaining official authorization.

To be eligible to work on-campus, international students must have a Social Security Number (SSN). This 9-digit number is issued to citizens and eligible non-citizens, and it is necessary for both on-campus and off-campus employment. Obtaining an SSN can be done by completing an online application and then presenting the original documents at the local Social Security Administration Office. The process may take up to 14 business days, and it is important to keep the received SS Card in a safe place, as replacing it can be challenging and expensive.

It is worth noting that the 20-hour weekly limit includes both paid and unpaid work. Additionally, this restriction applies even if an international student has multiple employers; their combined work hours should not exceed 20 hours per week during term time.

During breaks and the summer semester, international students in the US are allowed to work full-time, which is typically considered to be up to 40 hours per week. This opportunity is not limited to on-campus jobs, and students can explore off-campus employment during these periods without violating their visa restrictions.

For those seeking off-campus employment, it is crucial to understand the eligibility requirements. One option is to pursue Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is paid or unpaid internship-like employment directly related to the student's field of study, for which they receive academic credit or fulfill a degree requirement. Another option is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year, either before or after graduation. To be eligible for OPT, students must have completed at least one academic year and maintain active F-1 student status.

International students in the US need authorization to work off-campus

To be eligible to work off-campus, F-1 students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. They must also obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) and a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," signed within the last 30 days, certifying that the applicant is a bona fide F-1 student.

There are two types of off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, or other experience related to the student's field of study, for which they receive academic credit or fulfill a degree requirement. OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation.

It is important to note that the off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first. Additionally, international students in the US are limited to working 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks when classes are not in session.

International students in Australia could work more than 40 hours a fortnight during the COVID-19 pandemic

International students in Australia holding a student visa 500 were allowed to work more than 40 hours a fortnight during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a temporary relaxation of the usual restrictions, implemented to address workforce shortages in certain sectors. The Australian government and the Department of Home Affairs allowed international students to work beyond the standard limit, but only in specific industries. These included aged care, healthcare, disability services, and supermarkets or distribution facilities in areas impacted by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Typically, student visa holders in Australia are restricted to working a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this rule was relaxed in particular sectors facing staff shortages. This measure was intended to support the supply of essential services during the pandemic.

In the aged care sector, a student visa holder could work more than 40 hours a fortnight if employed by an approved or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider with a valid RACS or NAPS ID. Similarly, those working for registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers were also exempt from the standard work-hour limitations.

International students enrolled in healthcare-related courses could also work beyond the usual limit if they were supporting the health effort against COVID-19, as directed by health officials. Additionally, students working in supermarkets or associated distribution facilities located in COVID-19 lockdown areas were permitted to work extended hours for the duration of the lockdowns.

It is important to note that these temporary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have since been reviewed by the Australian government. As of 30 June 2023, the standard cap of 40 hours per fortnight for student visa holders has been reinstated. Employers and international students must now adhere to the pre-pandemic work-hour restrictions to avoid any breach of visa conditions or migration laws.

In other countries, such as Canada, international students' work hours may vary. For instance, full-time students in Canada are generally allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit during their studies. During breaks, they may be able to work full-time, depending on their permit conditions.

International students in Canada can work off-campus without a work permit

International students in Canada are permitted to work off-campus without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. Firstly, they must be enrolled as a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI). Secondly, they must be in their last semester of their study program and not require a full course load to complete it. It is important to note that students cannot work before their study program starts. If eligible for off-campus work, international students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of the study permit conditions, which may result in losing student status and future permit approvals.

To work off-campus in Canada, international students must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), a 9-digit number provided by the Canadian government. To obtain a SIN, specific conditions must be printed on the study permit, such as being permitted to work 24 hours per week off-campus or full-time during regular breaks. Students can request to add these conditions to their permit if they are eligible for off-campus work. It is crucial for both students and employers to ensure that the requirements for working off-campus without a permit are met before commencing work. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the student having to leave Canada.

In addition to off-campus work, international students in Canada can also work on-campus. To be eligible for on-campus work, students must have the necessary conditions printed on their study permit, which can be requested at no cost. If eligible for on-campus work, there is no limit to the number of hours that can be worked. This flexibility allows students to balance their studies and work commitments effectively.

It is worth noting that the rules regarding work hours for international students may vary based on their visa type and the country they are studying in. For example, in the context of the University of Minnesota, international students with an F-1 visa are restricted to working 20 hours per week. During the summer semester and breaks, students can work full-time, which may exceed 40 hours per week if the employer allows it.

To summarise, international students in Canada have the opportunity to work off-campus without a work permit, but it is essential to carefully adhere to the eligibility requirements and work hour limitations to maintain compliance with their student status.

Frequently asked questions