Lori Meadows
Working while studying can be a great way to gain experience and earn money, but it's important to be aware of any hour limits imposed by your university or immigration status. Many universities have policies in place to ensure that students don't exceed a certain number of working hours per week, with the limit often set at 20 or 24 hours. These policies aim to ensure that students' primary focus remains on their studies and that they don't become benefits-eligible employees. International students, in particular, may face stricter hour limits due to visa and immigration requirements. Additionally, certain jobs may have further restrictions, such as graduate assistantships being capped at a specific FTE. It is the responsibility of both students and supervisors to monitor work hours and comply with any relevant laws or university policies. Students who exceed these limits may face consequences, such as losing their student employment eligibility or, in the case of international students, their visa status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hour limit for international students in public universities in the US | 20 hours per week on-campus during an academic term |
| Work hour limit for international students in public universities in Canada | 24 hours per week off-campus |
| Work hour limit for graduate assistants | 0.49 FTE per week |
| Work hour limit for student workers at the University of Arizona | 25 hours per week during Fall and Spring semesters, 35 hours per week during Summer Session, Winter Session, and Spring Break |
| Work hour limit for student workers at Boston University | Cannot work during scheduled class times, must take an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes after six consecutive hours of work |
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What You'll Learn
Working beyond hour limits as an international student
International students often face restrictions on the number of hours they can work during their studies. These restrictions vary depending on the country and the type of visa or permit the student holds. For example, in Canada, international students were previously allowed to work up to 40 hours per week, but as of April 2024, a new rule was implemented limiting them to 20 hours per week. This change was made to address the influx of international students entering the country and to reinforce the primary purpose of their stay, which is to study. Working beyond 20 hours per week in Canada is considered a violation of the student's permit conditions and can result in losing student status and even being asked to leave the country.
In the United States, F-1 visa students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the school term and can work full-time during annual breaks or when school is not in session. Working beyond these limits can result in losing their F-1 status and may require them to leave the country.
At the University of Arizona, student workers are allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters and up to 35 hours per week during the Summer Session, Winter Session, and Spring Break. However, if a student worker holds multiple positions, their total work hours across all jobs must not exceed the maximum allowed per week.
Similarly, Oregon State University has a pilot program that allows students to work up to 24 or 20 hours per week, depending on their status. Graduate Assistants are capped at 0.49 FTE, and international students with a graduate assistantship can work up to 20 hours per week due to visa limitations.
It is important for international students to carefully review the regulations in their host country and comply with the hour restrictions to maintain their student status and avoid any legal consequences. Working beyond the hour limits without proper authorization can have significant negative impacts on their studies and visa status.
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Working off-campus as an international student
International students in the US holding an F1 visa are allowed to work but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). On-campus employment is the most freely available option and does not require USCIS approval. However, F1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year.
After the first academic year, F1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. To qualify, the work experience must be required for your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Prior authorization by your school’s International Student Office and notification to the USCIS is required.
- Severe Economic Hardship: USCIS will authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year.
- Emergent Circumstances: World events that affect a specific group of F-1 students and cause them to suffer severe economic hardship, including natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises.
For both F-1 and M-1 students, any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS before starting work.
In Canada, international students are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, as long as they meet the other requirements for working while studying. This includes being a full-time student at a designated learning institution and ensuring that your employer confirms that you can work off-campus without a work permit.
At the University of Arizona, student workers may work up to 25 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters and up to 35 hours per week during the Summer Session, Winter Session, and Spring Break. Meanwhile, at Oregon State University, international students are allowed to work a total of 20 hours per week (including all jobs) on-campus during an academic term due to visa limitations.
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Understanding the implications of working beyond hour limits
Loss of Student Employment Eligibility:
Some universities have policies stating that if a student worker exceeds the maximum allowable work hours, they may no longer be eligible for student employment. This is to ensure that the student's primary relationship with the university remains as a student rather than an employee. Working beyond the hour limit can put your student employment status at risk.
Benefit Cost Implications:
In some cases, working beyond the hour limit can have benefit cost implications for the university departments or units. If a student consistently exceeds the set limit, they may become eligible for benefits under certain laws, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the United States. This could result in additional costs for the university, which they may not be prepared for or willing to accommodate.
Impact on Student's Academic Performance:
Working beyond the hour limit can potentially affect a student's academic performance. Balancing work and studies is crucial, and exceeding the recommended work hours may lead to increased stress, fatigue, and a lack of time for academic pursuits. Students need to carefully consider their priorities and ensure they do not compromise their education.
Compliance Issues and Legal Consequences:
Working beyond the hour limit can result in compliance issues with university policies, labour laws, and immigration requirements. For example, international students may have visa limitations that restrict their maximum working hours. Failing to adhere to these limitations can have serious legal consequences, potentially affecting their student status and even their ability to remain in the country.
Administrative Burden:
Both students and supervisors are responsible for monitoring work hours and ensuring compliance with the maximum allowable hours. Working beyond the limit can create an administrative burden, requiring constant tracking and notification efforts to ensure neither party violates the established rules.
It is important for student workers and their supervisors to be aware of these implications and strictly adhere to the established hour limits. By doing so, they can maintain compliance, avoid potential issues, and ensure a healthy balance between work and academic commitments.
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University policies on working beyond hour limits
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona has a policy that limits student workers to 25 hours of work per week during the Fall and Spring semesters. During the Summer Session, Winter Session, and Spring Break, student workers can work up to 35 hours per week. This policy ensures that students' primary relationship with the university remains as a student rather than an employee. Student Residence Hall Assistants may work up to 15 hours per week in addition to their residence hall duties. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring student workers' hours and ensuring accurate timesheet records.
Boston University
Boston University's policy applies to all student employees, regardless of program or payment method. International students on student visas are limited by federal regulations to 20 hours of on-campus work per week, including any additional on-campus employment. PhD students are expected to work 20 hours per week and should not exceed this limit even during university break periods. Massachusetts state law requires an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes after six consecutive hours of work.
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University allows undergraduate students to work up to 20 hours per week during the Fall and Winter semesters, with some departments permitting up to 25 hours. During the Spring and Summer terms, undergraduates may exceed this limit with departmental approval, but they must not exceed 40 hours per week without explicit departmental permission. Graduate students can work up to 28 hours per week throughout the year and must not go above this limit during any semester. International students must not work more than 20 hours per week to maintain their legal right to work in the United States. During holidays and school breaks, all student employees may work more than 20 hours per week.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to work up to 29 hours per week combined with any Graduate Assistantships during the Fall and Spring semesters. International students are limited to 20 hours per week combined with Graduate Assistantships during the same semesters. If a student works beyond these limits three times during the academic year, they will be removed from the student employee payroll for six weeks. During finals week, the periods between semesters, Spring Break, and the first week of fall classes, all students may work up to 40 hours per week.
These policies highlight the variations in work hour limits for student workers across different universities. It is important for students to refer to their specific university's policies and regulations to ensure they comply with the established work hour limitations.
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Steps to take if you've worked beyond hour limits
It is important to take prompt action if you have worked beyond the stipulated hour limits as a student worker at a public university. Here are the steps you should take:
Notify your supervisor:
Inform your supervisor as soon as you realize you have exceeded the permitted work hours. Be transparent about the situation and provide them with the details of the hours you have worked.
Review the university's policies:
Familiarize yourself with the university's policies regarding student worker hours. Each university may have specific guidelines and procedures to follow in such cases. Look for information on their website or intranet regarding work hour limits and the consequences of exceeding them.
Adjust your schedule:
Work with your supervisor to adjust your upcoming schedule to ensure you do not face similar issues in the future. This may involve reducing your hours for the remaining week or month to compensate for the excess hours worked.
Monitor your hours closely:
Going forward, keep a meticulous record of your work hours. Ensure that you and your supervisor are consistently monitoring your hours to avoid exceeding the limit again. Use timesheets or time-tracking software to accurately record your attendance and hours worked.
Communicate any absences:
If you need to take time off to compensate for the excess hours, follow the proper procedures for requesting leave. Communicate any absences or tardiness to your supervisor promptly, and ensure you are adhering to the university's policies regarding notifications and approvals.
Remember, the consequences of working beyond the hour limit can vary depending on your university's policies and your employment status. It is crucial to take proactive steps to address the situation and prevent it from recurring.
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Frequently asked questions
The maximum number of hours a student worker can work varies depending on the university and the student's visa status. For example, at Oregon State University, students are limited to working 24 or 20 hours per week. Meanwhile, at the University of Arizona, student workers can work up to 25 hours per week during Fall and Spring semesters and up to 35 hours per week during the summer and other breaks. International students at Boston University are limited by federal regulations to no more than 20 hours of on-campus work per week.
If a student worker exceeds the work hour limit, they may no longer be eligible for student employment. Additionally, they may become benefits-eligible under Affordable Care Act rules if they work an average of 130 hours a month during an ACA look-back period.
Student workers who will be absent or tardy are expected to notify their supervisor as soon as possible and no later than the start of their scheduled shift. In the case of an extended absence, the student worker should inform their supervisor of the anticipated length of their absence. Student employees may be eligible for unpaid leave under certain circumstances through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
