Ibrahim Gardner
International students often take up part-time jobs to manage their daily expenses and academic costs. The number of hours international students are allowed to work varies from country to country. For instance, in the United States, international students enrolled full-time and in valid F-1 status can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. In Canada, international students are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit. In the United Kingdom, international students with work permission are allowed to work for 10 to 20 hours per week.
Can I take extra hours if I'm an international student?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work on campus | F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session and full-time during breaks. |
| Work off campus in the US | Off-campus employment is only allowed in certain circumstances, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, and OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. |
| Work off campus in Canada | International students can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. They can work more than one job to make up these hours. |
| Work eligibility | To be eligible to work on or off campus in the US, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. They must also apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). |
What You'll Learn
On-campus work for international students in the US
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are eligible to work on their home campus while studying. They can also work at another campus if it meets certain criteria, including being listed on the same Form I-17, "Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student". Students can begin working up to 30 days before the start date on their I-20, and a valid I-20 document serves as proof of work eligibility for on-campus employment.
On-campus employment is defined as work that takes place at the student's school location, for an on-campus commercial business, like a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students. It can also include work with an employer that is contractually affiliated with the school, even if the work site is not located on campus, such as a research lab. However, it does not include work that is not directly involved in providing services to students, such as construction work.
F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during annual vacations or when school is not in session. To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), students need a job offer, and they cannot be paid until they provide their SSN. They will also need a letter from their employer stating the job title, work hours, start date, and rate of pay, as well as a letter from their International Student Services Office confirming their eligibility to work.
Off-campus employment for international students is more restricted and generally requires prior authorization. It is usually only allowed in cases of curricular practical training (CPT), optional practical training (OPT), or severe economic hardship. CPT is employment that provides training in the student's field of study and can include internships, cooperative education jobs, or other experiences related to their field of study. OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To be eligible for off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, students must have completed at least one academic year and demonstrate that on-campus employment opportunities are insufficient or unavailable.
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Off-campus work for international students in the US
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. After completing their first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship Employment. CPT is a part of the academic curriculum and can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study. OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To be eligible for OPT, students must have completed at least one academic year and have active F-1 status. Severe Economic Hardship Employment is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can demonstrate a severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment.
To apply for off-campus employment, international students must first meet the eligibility requirements for their desired type of employment and then make an appointment with their school's International Student Services or Designated School Official (DSO) to discuss their options and receive approval. Students will need to provide various documents, including a letter from their employer, a letter confirming their eligibility to work from International Student Services or DSO, their passport, F-1 visa, and Form I-20. Once they have the necessary approvals and documents, students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), which is required for both on-campus and off-campus employment. It is important to note that working illegally can result in serious consequences, including visa revocation and deportation.
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International students working in Canada
International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. This is an increase from the previous limit of 20 hours per week. Students can work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, without any restrictions on the number of hours. It is important to note that working more than 24 hours per week during the academic term is a violation of the study permit conditions, which may result in losing student status and facing deportation from the country.
To be eligible for off-campus work, international students must meet certain requirements. They must be full-time students at a designated learning institution (DLI) and be in their last semester, not needing a full course load to complete their program. Additionally, students must have a valid study permit or have applied for an extension before it expired. They also need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada, which can be obtained by providing proof of eligibility and submitting an application to Service Canada.
On-campus work for international students in Canada is also an option, with no limit on the number of hours they can work. On-campus work includes employment within the buildings or grounds of the school's campus, as well as jobs with the school, faculty members, student organizations, or private businesses operating on campus.
It is important for international students in Canada to carefully review their study permits and ensure they have the necessary authorizations and meet all eligibility criteria before starting any employment. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in serious consequences, including losing student status and facing difficulties in obtaining future study or work permits.
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International students working in the UK
International students in the UK are allowed to work, but there are strict rules in place regarding the number of hours they can work and the type of work they can undertake. The number of hours international students can work in the UK depends on their visa type and whether it is term-time or vacation.
Working hours during term-time
During term-time, international students in the UK are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. This limit includes both paid and unpaid work and applies even if you have multiple employers. The term-time period is defined by your university or college and is usually the time when classes are in session.
Working hours during vacations
During vacation periods, such as Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays, international students may be able to work more than 20 hours per week, depending on their visa type and specific rules outlined by their university. For example, PhD students are generally expected to conduct research throughout the year and may not have defined holiday periods.
Visa requirements and restrictions
The specific work conditions allowed for international students in the UK depend on the type of visa they hold. Students with a Tier 4 visa must notify the UK Home Office if they plan to work as part of their course and must be monitored during their placement.
Additionally, international students with a student visa are not allowed to engage in business, self-employment, or certain professions, such as professional sports or entertainment. They also cannot fill a permanent full-time vacancy.
It is important for international students to carefully check the work conditions and restrictions outlined by their specific visa type before seeking employment in the UK. Working more hours than permitted or engaging in prohibited work can result in legal consequences for both the student and their employer.
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International students working in Germany
International students can work part-time while studying in Germany. The German economy is very student-friendly, with numerous companies offering part-time positions specifically for students. The German government also allows international students to work a certain number of hours each year. This number varies depending on whether the student is from an EU/EEA country or a non-EU/EEA country.
If you are an international student from an EU/EEA country, you have the same rights as German students when it comes to working while studying. This means that during the academic year, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. During holidays, you can work without any restrictions.
For international students from non-EU/EEA countries, the rules are a little different. You can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year. This totals a maximum of 20 hours per week. During academic breaks, you can work full-time. If you want to work more than the allowed number of hours, you need a special work permit from the Federal Employment Agency and the Foreigner's Office. It is important to note that internships that are a mandatory part of your degree program do not count toward the weekly hour limit.
There are some other things to keep in mind when working as an international student in Germany. Firstly, there is a monthly income limit of €450. Above this point, you will need to pay standard German taxes, while income below €450 is tax-free. Secondly, working too many hours can lead to losing your health insurance subsidies. Finally, if you are planning to work in Germany after graduating, you can extend your residence permit for up to 18 months to find work related to your studies.
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Frequently asked questions
F-1 students in the US can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during the annual vacation. Students interested in doing CPT or OPT must make an appointment with International Student Services to see if they are eligible.
International students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit. You can work an unlimited number of hours if you're on a scheduled break, such as winter and summer holidays.
You need a Social Security Number (SSN) to get a job on or off-campus in the US. You can apply for an SSN once you have a job offer, and your employer can't pay you until you provide your SSN.
To work off-campus in Canada, you need to meet the requirements for working while studying. You can request an amendment to your study permit to add conditions for off-campus work.
