Student Visa Working Hours: Rules, Limits & Updates for International Students

Part-time jobs while studying abroad is a dream for most international students, but sometimes the regulations regarding the work hours allowed on a student visa can be puzzling, with costly repercussions for mistakes. Every country has different guidelines regarding how many hours a student is allowed to work, what types of employment, as well as how a student can work full-time hours.

This guide breaks down student visa working hours by country, explains common conditions, exceptions, and provides expert advice on how to ensure that you are working within the law, while also taking care of your own wellbeing.

Understanding Student Visa Working Hour Rules 

What Are Student Visa Working Hour Rules?

Student visa working hour regulations are the regulations set on how much a student is allowed to work when studying abroad as an international student. Regulations are set by the respective country’s immigration departments, which includes paid and unpaid work, whether on campus, off campus, multiple employers, etc. For instance, in Australia, students on a Subclass 500 Student Visa are permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight when class is in session.

In the UK, for the Student visa (Tier 4), the permissible hours of work during “term time” are a maximum of 20 hours per week for degree-level courses.

In Canada, as of late 2024, eligible international students are allowed to work off campus a maximum of 24 hours a week during regular academic sessions.

Rules such as these are in place in order to protect against work interfering with a student’s main reason for attending, while still allowing them the chance to gain some extra income/expertise.

Difference between term-time and holiday work reétrictions

Among the most significant distinctions in the regulations on work by students on a student visa with regard to the periods of activity is that which differentiates between term-time and holidays/breaks/vacations.

• Term-time: When you are studying, such as when there are lectures, coursework, and exams, the usual rule is that full-time international students are only allowed part-time work. For instance:
  • In the UK, a maximum of 20 hours a week in term time.
  • In Australia, 48 hours per fortnight (for Subclass 500 visa), when the course is in session.
• Holiday periods/Official Vacations/Scheduled Breaks: In most nations, students are allowed to work for a longer number of hours, even full-time, when the educational schedules are on a holiday. For instance, in the UK, students are permitted to work full-time during official vacations.
• Crucial exception: The definition of what constitutes holiday/break is dependent on your course, your level of study, and your university’s recognized academic calendar. In respect of postgraduate research students (and/or courses involving continuous study), there may be no recognized vacation periods, such that the term-time limits will apply throughout the year.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time Work Rights Explained

Whether one is considered “part-time” or “full-time” depends on the hourly limit imposed by the visa, which varies by country and type of visa.

• Part-time employment: This is the normal allowance paid when in term-time. For example:
  • UK: Up to 20 hours per week.
  • Australia: a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight.
  • Canada: Up to 24 hours per week off campus (from Nov 2024).
• Full-time employment: Usually allowed only during the vacation/break periods (when academic responsibilities are not a consideration), or after completion of the course. For instance, most universities in the UK state that students are allowed to work full-time during holidays.
• The definition of a ‘week’: Notably, in a country such as the UK, a ‘week’ is considered to be a period of seven consecutive days, which can include irregular working hours, commencing on a Monday.
• Risk of Breach: If one works past the allowed hours (during the term times) or full-time when on a visa that is not conducive to full-time work, the following serious risks are involved – visa reduction, loss of status, or even deportation.

How Working Hours Are Counted (Per Week, Per Fortnight, Multiple Jobs)

When on a student visa, it is not only important how many hours are worked, but how hours are calculated is equally important, as are the overall hours that can be worked. This is not calculated by job, but by overall hours worked in a set amount of time, no matter how many jobs are worked.

For instance, in the UK, as a Student visa holder studying a degree-level program, you are normally entitled to a maximum number of 20 hours of work per week during the term-time. Notably:

• “Week” means any 7 consecutive days commencing on Monday.
• This includes all paid and unpaid work – even if you have more than one job.
• Since you are working 10 hours on one job and 12 hours on another, that is a total of 22 hours, which is violating your visa regulations.

The universities, such as that of Cambridge, make it specific that the 20 hours include all work in a single week, not averaged over a series of weeks, such that one cannot bank hours (for instance, putting in more hours one week and fewer hours another).

Another is location, because when you are physically within the country on your student visa, even online work abroad is considered part of your overall weekly hour allowance. UK universities have made it clearer that when working from within the country, it still uses the same term-time hourly allowance.

This way of keeping track of your hours makes it easier for the immigration authorities to enforce the rules, but it also makes it simpler for you to remain on the right side of the law – all you need to remember is that it is the hours worked within a specified period that count, not the number of employment contracts.

Common Myths About Student Visa Working Hours

There is a lot of misleading information available on the internet when it comes to working hours on a student visa. Most of these, actually, are myths – and believing them might jeopardize your immigrant status. Here are some of the most common ones.

• Myth 1: “I can average my hours over a month.”

Reality: For a student visa, such as a UK Student Route visa, there are weekly work hours, which are a fixed 7-day period, which begins on Monday. Work hours cannot be averaged over a number of weeks.

• Myth 2: “Unpaid work doesn’t count.”

Reality: For UK visas, unpaid work is also considered when calculating your maximum hours in a week when in the UK, whether paid work hours or unpaid. This includes regular voluntary activity.

• Myth 3: “Remote work for an overseas company doesn’t count.”

Reality: If you are physically within the country working remotely, including for a foreign client, these hours tend to count toward your weekly limit on your visa. This is especially true, as universities point out, when you are interning or working remotely from within the country.

• Myth 4: “Reading weeks and dissertation time are holidays.”

Reality: This is a reality because many institutions clearly state that reading weeks, coursework weeks, and dissertation weeks are still considered to be within the term-time category unless declared a vacation.

• Myth 5: “Overtime doesn’t count if I make up the hours later.”

Reality: There is no official allowance to “make up” hours by working fewer later hours, as you have to stay within the weekly hours limit every single week. If not, you might be violating your visa requirements.

Quick Overview: Student Visa Working Hours by Country (Cheat Sheet)

Summary Table of Working Hour Limits (Australia, Canada, UK, USA, NZ)

Country	Term-time work limit (typical)	When full-time work is usually allowed
Australia (Student visa subclass 500)	48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session	Unlimited hours during official course breaks
Canada (Study permit – eligible students)	Up to 24 hours/week off-campus during academic sessions (since Nov 8, 2024)	Full-time during scheduled breaks (e.g., summer/winter holidays)
United Kingdom(Student Route)	Usually 10 or 20 hours/week in term time (depends on course/visa conditions)	Full-time outside term time / during vacations, if your visa allows work
United States (F-1/J-1 – most common student statuses)	For F-1 on-campus work: up to 20 hours/week while school is in session	Full-time on-campus during breaks; off-campus work generally needs specific authorization (CPT/OPT/AT etc.)
New Zealand(Student visa – eligible)	Up to 25 hours/week during term time for new visas from 3 Nov 2025 (was 20)	Full-time rules depend on visa conditions, but NZ confirms eligibility changes and how to update conditions

Key Differences You Should Notice Between Countries

• The “unit of the limit” is different: Australia has a fortnight (14 days), while everyone else has hours per week.
• The U.S. is the most restrictive concerning work that is Off-Campus, with F-1 students typically allowed only On-Campus work (20 hours per week when in session, but only with special authorization, such as CPT/OPT).
• Canada’s number has changed, and it is specifically dated, with IRCC indicating that as of November 8, 2024, eligible students are now allowed to work a total of 24 hours per week off-campus during the academic sessions.
• The hours permitted vary per student/per course, although a regular regime is “full-time in vacations.” The UKCISA provides that the hours during term-time are typically 10 hours, 20 hours, with full-time employment allowed during vacations.
• New Zealand has a very recent increase (Nov 2025). Immigration NZ confirms the rise from 20 to 25 hours per week for eligible students. This is because certain students need to apply for a variation of conditions to apply the revised hours.

Student Visa Working Hours by Country

Australia – Student visa (subclass 500) working hours

If you have an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), you are generally entitled to:

• Work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight (14 days) while your course is in session
• Work unlimited hours during official course breaks (semester holidays, approved vacations).

This is a 48-hour limit for all employers combined, meaning that the government considers your entire work hours over a rolling 14-day period, not per job.

There is, however, an exception to this rule: if you are undertaking a Master’s by research degree, or a doctoral degree (PhD), in most cases, there is no capped working hour allowance once your course has begun.

Failure to comply with work hour conditions (for instance, exceeding 48 hours in a fortnight during the semester) might result in a visa cancellation, so please monitor your hours closely.

Canada – Study permit work conditions

In Canada, eligible international students with a valid study permit are generally able to:

• Off-Campus Work within a maximum of 24 hours per week during the regular academic periods, provided they are meeting all the IRCC requirements (enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution, in an eligible program, etc.)
• Full-time employment during periods of scheduled breaks, such as winter break, summer break, or an official reading week, if eligible is permitted.

Additionally, you can also work on campus without a work permit, provided that your study permit is valid, along with meeting other requirements set by IRCC.

Changes in policy have expanded the historical cut-off from 20 hours per week to 24 hours a week off campus, so be sure to reference IRCC’s page on “Work off campus as an international student” for up-to-date regulations.

United Kingdom – Student Route (formerly Tier 4)

In the UK, your work rights are dependent on the level of your course, your university, as well as the language on your visa vignette/BRP/eVisa. For the majority of degree-level students with work rights:

• You can typically work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term times
• You can work full-time during official vacation periods (as defined by your university).
• Both paid employment and unpaid work are included in your weekly limit

In addition, there are certain strict prohibitions. On a Student Visa, the following cannot be done:

• Be self-employed or run a business
• Engage in work as a professional sportsperson/sport coach
• Take certain full-time permanent jobs that are not allowed under your conditions

It should be noted that universities also have guidelines, although the law is framed within UK immigration regulations; therefore, it is essential that students refer to both their visas and university guidelines on visa advice.

United States – F-1 / J-1 visa work restrictions

For F-1 students in the U.S., a very restrictive rule is that:

• You are typically allowed to work on campus a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session
• It is possible to work full-time on campus during official school vacations
• Off-campus work of any sort requires particular authorization such as CPT, OPT, or Economic Hardship Authorization.

Major options for working off-campus with an F-1 visa include:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This is a job that is part of your educational program, such as an internship.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): work directly related to your major that is typically allowed following graduation (post-completion OPT) or sometimes while a student (pre-completion OPT)

For J-1 exchange visitors, work is also limited and typically requires preapproval from the program sponsor (for instance, Academic Training after or during your program). The specifics are specified within federal regulations.

Unauthorised employment (working without authorisation, or working past your allowed amount) is considered a serious violation of your status, which may impact your ability to remain in or return to the U.S.

New Zealand – International student work rights

New Zealand has lately extended work rights for a number of international students. For eligible student visa-holders:

• Since 3rd November 2025, the permitted hours of work during the term-time allowance has been increased from 20 to 25 hours per week
• Full-time work is generally possible during the Christmas and New Year holidays, with potential extra periods during other holidays, dependent on student visas

The number of hours is dependent on factors such as:

• Your level of study (Secondary vs Tertiary )
• Type and length of your program
• The conditions of your individual visa

This shift has been attributed to a general plan by the immigration authorities in New Zealand to increase the number of international students in the country’s education sector.

In cases where students have existing visas with a 20-hour limitation, they might have to apply for a variation of conditions visa or a fresh visa to take advantage of the increased 25 hours.

Other Popular Study Destinations (Germany, Ireland, Singapore, etc.)

In relation to the “big five”, a number of other countries are also highly attractive to international students, with different regulations regarding working hours.

• Germany: Non-EU/EEA international students are allowed to work a maximum of 140 full days per year (or a maximum of 280 half-days, which is roughly 20 hours a week). Special permission is required for extra work. The hours worked increase during semester vacations as long as the annual limit is not exceeded.
• Ireland: The number of hours that students possessing Stamp 2 visas are allowed to work is a maximum of 20 hours per week when the academic sessions are in progress. For particular periods of holidays (usually June to September and 15 December to 15 January), the number of hours expands to a maximum of 40 hours per week.
• Singapore: Student Pass-holders who are eligible are allowed to work a maximum of 16 hours a week when studying in eligible institutions. They are, however, allowed to work full-time during the official holidays, provided that the institution is recognized by the government’s list of approved institutions.

Calculating Your Work Hours and Staying Compliant

Working for More Than One Employer at the Same Time

If you have more than one job, your work hours on your visa are calculated cumulatively. This means that even if your visa hours are set at 20 hours a week, if, say, you work 10 hours at a café and another 12 hours in a retail shop, that still means you are violating your visa hours. The Immigration Department calculates your overall hours worked on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

Counting Unpaid Training, Onboarding and Trial Shifts

Unpaid work may still be considered “work” for a student visa. This may include:

• Mandatory training sessions
• Induction or onboarding hours
• Trial shifts where you are tested for a role

Even if they are unpaid, these hours may still be considered employment hours, contributing to your maximum weekly hours, especially in regions such as the UK, Australia, and so on. Always presume that these hours are considered employment hours unless your university tells you the opposite.

Tracking Your Hours with Apps, Timesheets and Payslips

In order to remain in compliance, keep track of your hours on your own, don’t count on your employer.

Good practice includes:

• Time tracking software, such as a spreadsheet
• Maintaining Copies of Timesheets & Pay Slips
• Checking your hours on a weekly basis (or fortnightly, as relevant)

In cases where there is a query with regard to compliance, keeping track helps ensure that a genuine effort has been made to adhere to the visa requirements.

When Can International Students Work Full Time?

In most cases, international students are allowed to work full-time only outside of term-time, that is, when they are not studying, and after completion of the course, although this varies from country to country, as listed below.

Official Semester Breaks and Holiday Peẻiods

Countries mostly permit full-time employment during the official break schedules within your academic calendar.

• Australia (Subclass 500 Visa): Unlimited hours are available to work during the times when your course is not in progress. The 48-hour fortnight work limitation applies when your course is in progress, but it is removed during official breaks.
• Canada: If a student is eligible to work off campus, they can work full-time during a break, such as summer, winter, or spring, as long as they are meeting all the conditions set by IRCC (full-time in a DLI, etc.).
• UK: Guidance for Student visa holders states that “You can work full-time outside of term-time if your visa has work rights, and your university defines that period as a vacation.”

The important part is that these “breaks” have to be “scheduled” or “official” in accordance with your academic calendar. Random weeks when you want to take a break are not considered vacations.

Summer Vacation, Winter Break, and Public Holidays

Full-time employment is most often permitted in:

• Long vacations, such as summer and winter holidays
• Short breaks, such as reading week in Canada, winter/spring break in the UK, etc.
• Usually, bank holidays, when a full shift is worked as long as your overall weekly limit (if in term-time) is not exceeded

For Canada, IRCC has clarified that eligible students are allowed to work full-time hours during the scheduled school break periods, including summer break and spring break, but once the educational program is in full swing, this is reduced to 24 hours per week for off-campus employment.

In addition, some institutions and advisors have emphasized that Canada has a limitation on unlimited off-campus full-time work to a maximum of 180 days within a calendar year, with a maximum of 150 consecutive days within a single break.

In the UK, university advice (University of Edinburgh, LSE, Hertfordshire Uni.) specifies that full-time work is permitted during recognized university vacations, such as the Winter/Spring Break, plus a “wrap-up” vacation at the end of your program, provided your visa is in force.

In the USA, F-1 students are allowed to work full-time on campus during holidays/vacations, provided they intend to pursue a full course of studies in the following semester when they return to school.

Full-Time Work Rights After Completing Your Course

Student visas sometimes have a “grace period” after you finish your course, which is when you are on a student visa but are not in term-time.

• UK – UKCISA: Most students’ immigration status is valid for a longer period than the finish date of your course. After your course has ended, when you are no longer in term, full-time work is, in most cases, possible, apart from prohibited work (self employment, professional sport, etc.), until your visa runs out, possibly switching to another category (like Graduate Visa).
• The UK universities (for instance, City, University of London; LSE) clarify that the “additional time” at the end of your visa, when your program has ended, is considered vacation, and full-time work is permissible during that period.
• US (F-1) visas – Full-time employment is generally permissible only after completion of your program, on a full-time basis only as part of an authorized employment activity such as post-completion OPT, but simply working full-time at a job, as a matter of law, is considered unauthorized employment.

Make sure to verify the precise date of completion at your institution, which is used by your country’s immigration agency (for instance, the CAS date in the UK, the date of completion on Form I-20 in the US), which is typically when your post-study full-time period begins.

Penalties for Working Full Time During Term Time

Being full-time when you are only supposed to be part-time (for instance, working 40+ hours in a week when your visa conditions are only supposed to be 20-24 hours a week) is considered a violation of visa conditions in most nations.

• Canada: IRCC clearly states that exceeding 24 hours per week when working off-campus during the regular academic year is considered a contravention of your study permit conditions. This might result in losing your student status, having to leave Canada, as well as rejection of a future application for a study/work permit. 
• Australia: The Department of Home Affairs explains that failure to satisfy a visa condition which is work-related, such as working too many hours, may result in them canceling your visa. This can also affect your future visa application
• UK: University UKCISA advises that failure to respect work conditions (for instance, exceeding your weekly quota during term-time, or undertaking prohibited work) will constitute a failure to respect your conditions of stay, which may result in repercussions against you, as well as potential repercussions against your employer.
• USA: The U.S. government considers unauthorized work a serious status violation. Violations, such as working in the United States without proper authorization or exceeding the maximum amount of authorization, can result in a loss of F-1 status, forced departure from the U.S., and difficulties with future U.S. visa applications.

For any student who notices they may have violated the requirement, the best course of action would be to consult with an international student advisor at a university, or a professional, before continuing on with employment.

Temporary Policy Changes and Government Concessions on Work Hours

Rules on employment in the student visa may vary temporarily when governments react to labor shortage conditions, therefore, updates can be sought from time to time.

• Australia temporarily waived work hour limits during the COVID-19 pandemic, but from 1 July 2023, the limitation has been imposed, which is a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight during terms. Full-time work is still permitted during holidays.
• Canada recently permitted international students to work a maximum of 40 hours per week. This is no longer the case, with the current norm now being a maximum of 24 hours per week in an academic semester.
• New Zealand has revealed a rise in student work rights, with eligible students being able to work a maximum of 25 hours per week from November 2025, an increase from the previous 20 hours.
• In the United Kingdom, there are no recent temporary concessions; most students are still restricted to 20 hours per week during term time.

Types of Jobs Allowed for Student Visa Holders

Related Article : How to Find Jobs In Australia As an International Student

On-Campus Jobs for International Students

• In most countries, student visas allow part-time work on campus, such as a library assistant, student union, campus cafe, or lab/admin support, within the guidelines set for the number of hours a student is supposed to work on a student visa. For instance, a student on a Student Visa in the UK is allowed to work part-time while studying full-time.
• On-campus employment is considered to be equal to other paid (or unpaid) employment when calculating the limits.

This can be appealing to students, with campuses typically providing adaptable hours which are easy to coordinate with coursework.

Off-Campus Part-Time Work Options

In Australia, for international students on a Student visa (subclass 500), work is permitted a maximum of 48 hours in a fortnight when studying.

In Canada, from November 8, 2024, eligible students are allowed to work a maximum of 24 hours a week without a work permit, provided that their own study permit allows this.

Off-campus employment provides flexibility, such that one can seek employment as a retailer, in hotels, in administration, part-time office, delivery, customer service, and more work that is considered common “student work.” The total working hours specified within the visa permit applies to off-campus employment, not per job.

In the UK, Off-Campus work is permitted but, importantly, you cannot engage in self-employment, business, or sports/entertainment as a professional under a Student Visa.

Online and Remote Jobs – What’s Allowed?

For the UK, working remotely within the UK for a non-UK employer (or international client), although considered “work,” is still bound by the usual hour limits (for instance, 20 hours a week during term time).

This means that freelance, online employment, editing, online private tutoring for international clients, when carried out within the UK, constitute employment, which is bound by the same regulations (Cannot work more hours than allowed, cannot constitute self employment/business setup when the visa restricts).

Thus, while working remotely/online is technically possible on a visa (given your employers are genuine, your activity is legitimate), it is essential that your hours are managed carefully to avert exceeding hourly limits as well as illegal self-employment.

Remote work is a possibility, but it is only permitted within the same conditions that apply to “normal” employment under the visa.

Internships, Co-ops, and Work Placements

In some cases, work placement or internship/co-op might be part of the educational program offered to students. Visa requirements permit such instances under certain conditions:

• In the UK: If your degree course has an “assessed and integral” work placement, it may be permissible to carry it out full-time even on a Student Visa, subject to certain terms (for instance, part of course design, not exceeding 50% of the overall length of the course when it’s a statutory requirement).
• Then, assuming that the placement is not a part of the course (Non-assessed Internship), it has to conform to regular student work hour regulations (for instance, 20 hours a week during term time).
• In Canada, students on eligible study visas are allowed to work as interns or co-op students, provided that they are permitted to “accept employment on- or off-campus.”

So, internships and/or co-op opportunities might work for you, but make sure that they are “course-integral” or approved within your visa agreement.

High-Demand Student Jobs (Retail, Hospitality, Admin, Tutoring)

Since most students on a visa look for part-time employment, there are certain industries that are commonly preferred:

• Retail (shops, supermarkets) – Off-campus part-time work available.
• Hospitality (cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels) – particularly appealing to students wanting schedules that fit around their university timetables.
• Office work (administrative, clerical, data entry, reception) – Good for students who are studying part-time.
• Tutoring / Teaching-assistance – This is for more academically gifted students with strong skills, although online tuition is limited by visa regulations concerning work hours for the self-employed (especially within a UK context).

The official visa requirements do not necessarily list “types of job permitted,” because it is the conditions of employment that are necessary, not the sector itself. But student-friendly sectors like retail, hospitality, admin, tutoring are commonly used globally, as long as they respect visa hours and employment-type restrictions.

Volunteering vs Unpaid Work: What Counts Towards Your Hours?

Many international students believe that unpaid hours are not considered when calculating work hours allowed on a visa, which is a common but potentially hazardous misconception.

In most nations, the distinction with which one is concerned is, not whether one is paid, but whether it is considered “work.”

• Volunteering generally means helping a registered charity, non-profit organization, with no obligation, no substitution of a paid position, and no contract. True volunteering is not included in your working hours limit.
• Unpaid work may be considered unpaid employment, which can include things such as trial shifts, unpaid internships, training, or simply work for a business. Even though these are unpaid, they are considered to be work hours, which count toward your visa limit.

For instance, in the UK and in Australia, immigration and university advice state that unpaid work is considered on an equal footing with paid work when determining student work hours. This means that unpaid trial shifts, mandatory training sessions, can see you go over your hours without even realizing it.

Restrictions and What You CAN’T Do on a Student Visa

Visa regulations are more than how many hours a week a person is allowed to work; it also governs what the job is, how one gets the job, and what happens when regulations are breached. The following is a list that one can modify to suit different nations (Australia, Canada, UK, USA).

Self-Employment and Freelancing Rules

Student visas in most countries do not permit self-employment, such as operating a business of your own.

UK (Student Route): The position for international students is crystal clear – you are not allowed to be self-employed, conduct business, freelance, or work as a contractor/consultant. UKCISA states: “If you are responsible for your own work, pay, and taxes, it is very likely that you are considered self-employed, which is not permitted on a Student visa.”

The University of Cambridge provides a list of what constitutes self-employment, which is not permitted on a UK Student Visa. Freelance writing, private tutoring, or selling a product/service directly to consumers (for instance, consulting), for example, are considered self-employment.

This is what universities in the UK, such as City St George’s, Bristol, Oxford, repeat: Internationally, Student/Tier 4 visa-holders are entitled to work only as paid employees, not as self-employed persons, businessmen/women, etc.

In Australia, people on a Student visa (subclass 500) are conferred ‘work rights,’ but they are still obliged to abide by General Visa Conditions. You are required to work as an employee, with a pay slip, with your taxes withheld, and violating work conditions, such as going over hours or violating visa conditions, can result in your visa being canceled.

In practice, this entails:

• It is an offense to operate an online shop, carry “cash-in-hand” freelance work, or conduct business as a sole proprietor when billing clients on a student visa in countries that prohibit self-employment.
• In particular, if someone is unsure whether a particular activity is considered to be self-employment, they should check with their university’s immigration advisor before taking on the job.

Full-Time Work and Overtime Limitations

Even when your visa gives you the right to work, there is a strict limitation upon the number of hours worked during term-time:

• Australia (Subclass 500 Visa ): Generally, from 1 July 2023, students are allowed to work a maximum of 48 hours a fortnight (14 days) when school is in session; exceeding that is considered a violation of visa conditions.
• Canada (Study permit): After November 2024, eligible students are allowed to work a maximum of 24 hours per week. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada state that exceeding a maximum of 24 hours per week is considered a breach of your study permit conditions.
• UK (Student Visa): Most degree-level students with work permission are only eligible to work 20 hours per week, which includes all paid and unpaid work.
• USA (F-1 Visa): No more than 20 hours per week on campus during the semester; only with special authorization for anything that takes place off campus (OPT, CPT, etc).

Full-time employment (35-40+ hours per week, etc.) is typically only permitted during official breaks following completion of a course, but even so, certain types of employment (full-time, permanent, etc.) may be prohibited for student visa-holders.

Types of Work That Are Prohibited by Law

In addition to hours, most student visas prohibit certain types of employment altogether. For instance:

UK – On a Student visa, you are not allowed to:

• Be self-employed or involved in business activity
• Engage in professional sports and sports coaching
• Engage in entertainment work
• Take a permanent full-time job (only temporary full-time work is allowed at certain intervals)

Canada – Rules applying to study permits, and corresponding advice, stress that:

• You are not supposed to work for employers who are identified by IRCC as “ineligible” employers because they have violated immigration regulations.
• In some open work permit guidelines, it is also stated that you cannot work in adult entertainment businesses (strip clubs, escort agencies, erotic massages, etc.), but such conditions can be likewise imposed on students working on open work permits.

USA (F-1) – The F-1 regulations don’t identify sectors similar to the UK, but they state that all employment has to be specifically authorized (On-Campus, CPT, OPT, Economic Hardship Authorization). An employment activity not specifically authorized is thus banned.

The overall guideline that applies to all systems: If your work is not allowed under your visa regulations or is with an ineligible employer/industry, even within your weekly hours, you cannot take that job

Consequences of Breaking Visa Work Conditions

Over-working, as well as undertaking prohibited work, is considered a serious offense against immigration regulations.

• Canada – IRCC specifies that exceeding your permitted hours of work off campus is a violation of the terms of your study permit. You can:
  • Lose your student status
  • Be required to leave Canada
  • Be refused a future study or work permit.
• Australia – The following is from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs guidelines, with supporting commentary from relevant lawyers, on what might occur when conditions on work visas are broken (for instance, exceeding the number of hours worked on a subclass 500 visa):
• Breach of conditions of your visa, such as working more hours than your visa specifies (for instance, exceeding the conditions of a subclass 500 visa), might result in the cancellation of your visa, which in turn affects your future applications. The following are real-life instances from the news on what has happened to students who broke the rules by exceeding the 48 hours per fortnight limit (for instance, 60 hours per week as a ride-share driver).
• UK – UKCISA and university visa teams remind that exceeding the number of hours allowed, or when the job is not allowed (self-employment, professional sports, entertainers), is considered a violation of the terms of stay, which may result in the curtailment of the visa.
• USA (F-1 Visa)- USCIS, as well as university international offices, emphasize that working without authorization forfeits your status under the F-1 Visa. The repercussions may include:
  • Termination of your SEVIS Record
  • Loss of all employment authorization
  • Being deemed to be out of status and accruing unlawful presence, which may activate 3-or 10-year bars on returning to the United States.

Once the problem arises, it can be extremely difficult to rectify, so it is generally advisable for students to seek advice from the international office at university level before taking on a job if they are unsure about it.

How Immigration Tracks Student Work Hours

Most students believe that “no one will find out, but the government has various mechanisms that track whether the visa holder is complying with employment requirements:

• Tax and Identification Numbers
  • In Australia, visa-holding individuals who have work rights are obliged to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN). The data-matching arrangement between the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and the Department of Home Affairs helps government officials compare the visa details of an individual with his/her employment movement to check for potential breaches.
  • In Canada, international students need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to find employment and to complete tax returns. The Social Insurance Number is used to identify employment contributions, which can later be verified against immigration status, if necessary. 

• In the UK, a common requirement is that of the National Insurance (NI) number. Your employment history, NI, and your right to work in the UK can be checked by the relevant authority to confirm that you are complying with your visa agreement.

• Employer Right-to-Work Checks
  • In the UK, employers are required by law to check the immigration status of a worker, sometimes via the Employer Checking Service or online Right to Work tool. Employers are also obliged to record your allowed hours and visa details, with potential penalties for hiring in contravention of conditions.
  • In Canada, employers who use temporary foreign workers can be audited by IRCC, which keeps a list of employers who are non-compliant, with fines imposed on employers who violate regulations.
• Immigration & data-sharing systems
  • Schemes are becoming more sophisticated, with use of data matches from immigration databases, tax departments, and even passenger movement systems to identify irregularities such as high income relative to hours worked, or individuals overstaying visas.
  • In the USA, SEVIS is used to track international students’ enrollment as well as legal work; SEVIS violations, such as unauthorized work, result in SEVIS termination.

Red Flags: Job Offers That Could Put Your Visa at Risk

Not all job offers are guaranteed for international students. There are job offers that appear very attractive but pose a serious threat to your student visa.

Be alert for these common red flags:

• “Cash-in-hand” payment: Jobs that pay cash only, with no payslip or tax record, can circumvent the law concerning employment. It can make it difficult to prove your working hours, which might mean that it is illegal employment.
• No written contract or vague job description: If your employer refuses a contract or is unclear about your employment hours, compensation, or job description, this is a potential problem that can lead to you going over your visa limits.
• Being pressured to work past your contracted hours: Employers asking you to “just help a bit more” or work extra hours during the term may pressurize you into working past your contracted hours.
• Freelance/self-employed: This category includes job postings that require the candidate to send invoices, operate as a sole proprietor, or take care of taxes, which are mostly not permissible on a student visa, particularly in a country such as the UK.
• Unpaid trial shifts that are not limited: Trial shifts, training, and extra hours may be considered work hours. Even if an employer wants multiple unpaid trial shifts, the hours worked count toward your visa hours.
• “Everyone does this”: Claims that visa regulations are never enforced are a significant red flag. Immigration officials do check workplace compliance.

If in doubt, consult with your university’s international student support service. Visa protection is always a priority over a potentially risky job.

Pay, Taxes and Workplace Rights for International Students

Having rights at work on a student visa also means that you are recognized by the laws pertaining to labor in that country. Foreign students are entitled to the same minimum wage as locals.

Minimum Wage and Overtime Rules

International students need to be paid minimum wage within a country when they are working abroad.

• In Australia, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, minimum wage regulations are also the same for international students. Your employer cannot pay you less because of your international student status.
• Overtime rates, penalty rates (for weekends, public holidays), as well as casual loadings, can vary based on the employment and the location.
• Receiving a “flat cash rate” of pay that is less than minimum wage is sometimes illegal, even when you agreed to it.

If the employer states “this is a student rate”, which is below the minimum wage requirement, that is a significant red flag.

Payslips, Tax File Numbers and Social Insurance Numbers

For international students to be able to work, a tax/social security number is required, and employers need to maintain proper records.

• Australia: Tax File Number (TFN
• UK: National Insurance (NI) number
• Canada: The Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• New Zealand: IRD Number

You should normally receive a pay slip that includes the following:

• Hours worked
• Gross Pay
• Tax deducted
• Net pay

Payslips are useful proof of legal employment, which can come in useful in the event of a dispute or a check on visa compliance.

Tax Returns and Possible Refunds for Students

The majority of international students are supposed to file a tax return when they earn income.

• Because students tend to work part-time, they earn less than certain thresholds; hence, many are eligible for a tax rebate at the end of the financial year.
• The tax return therefore helps ensure that your income records are consistent with your visa category and work hour restrictions.
• Filing a return is generally required even when your employer has already deducted taxes.

Assistance for students is typically available from universities, government websites, or professional tax agents.

How to Deal with Underpayment or Exploitation at Work

In some cases, international students are targeted for underpayment, but assistance is offered.

If you feel that you are being exploited:

• Maintain records: pay slips, timesheets, messages, contracts
• Never think that your reporting is going to impact your visa, as labor protection in most countries is irrespective of your visa status
• Contact official bodies, such as:
  • Fair Work Ombudsman (Australia
  • HMRC or ACAS (UK)
  • Employment Standards offices (Canada)

It’s common practice for governments to encourage international students to come forward with reports of exploitation, and to clarify that labor rights are distinct from immigration enforcement.

Balancing Work, Study and Wellbeing

The addition of working while studying can assist with living expenses, but the importance of balancing is a factor that universities and support services emphasize as essential. Your student visa includes an allowance for work, but your health and academics take priority.

How Many Hours You Should Work (Not Just What’s Legal)

Although your visa might permit 20 to 24 hours of work a week during term time, it is advisable to work fewer hours. The healthy range of hours for full-time students, suggested by research on university wellbeing, is 10 to 15 hours per week. The reason people tend to feel exhausted, with less study time, is that they tend to work closer to the legal maximum hours.

Avoiding Burnout and Protecting Your Grades

Burn-out can occur rapidly when students are balancing class, homework, a job, and living within a new environment. Overt symptoms may include perpetual exhaustion, missed deadlines, lethargy, and a lack of progress in class. To avoid burn-out, consider the following:

• Limit working hours during exam and assignment times
• Late Night Shifts Prior to Early Lectures
• Prioritize sleep, resting, relaxing, taking it

Universities remind international students that making progress in your studies is a requirement for your visa, so your grades are also safeguarding your visa.

Planning Your Schedule Around Classes, Exams and Peak Work Times

Planning helps make working alongside studying more manageable. Good planning includes:

• Scheduling your work after your fixed class timetable
• Reducing Shifts during Assessment Weeks
• Utilizing official holidays and semester holidays to work more hours rather than working extra hours during semester periods

You can use a computer calendar or a weekly organizer to assist with visualizing conflicts.

How to Check Latest Official Government Updates

Student visa work conditions are subject to frequent changes, whether concerning alterations in hourly caps, what constitutes a term-time, or other conditions, thus it is essential to identify how to consult credible sources.

List of Official Immigration Websites

Full research always begins with the government’s official immigration website for the country your university is in. Such official websites are always the most reliable sources that prevent misinformation:

• United Kingdom: GOV.UK Student visa guidelines – official requirements, which include work rights.
• UK Immigration Rules updates: The GOV.UK Immigration Rules – Updates page informs on recent legal changes.
• For other nations such as Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, one would look at the official government immigration websites, such as homeaffairs.gov.au, canada.ca, studyinthestates.dhs.gov.

The portals are the official source, to which you should refer first when looking for updates.

Where to Find Reliable Visa News and Policy Changes

Other than government platforms, reliable university visa support web pages commonly summarize updates of the following:

• The international student support services of universities commonly provide “Immigration News for Students.” The updates refer directly to official changes.
• UKCISA, as with corresponding national student advice organizations for Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, amongst others, indicates government updates from immigration departments via Statements of Changes.

Instead, avoid looking at random blog sites, which are probably outdated or incorrect.

Signs That Information Online is Outdated

While searching for visa information on the web, look out for such indicators that the information is outdated:

• No date of latest publication, or last updated date, later than 2024-2025.
• References to work limits that don’t use contemporary language (for example, “older Tier 4” as “Student Route”).
• News that doesn’t refer back to a government site, or links that result in broken pages.
• Advice that doesn’t conform with your own visa regulations (always check your own conditions on your visa letter/BRP/eVisa).

Immigration official websites, as well as university websites, are updated when changes occur in regulations.

Using Registered Immigration Agents for Advice

A registered immigration agent can assist with explaining complicated or fluctuating regulations:

• In Australia, agents are required to be registered with government regulatory bodies such as OMARA.
• In Canada, licensed consultants are regulated by College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.

Such experts are licensed to offer advice on conditions of visas, employment included, but it is always best to check for registration on the list with the official regulator.

How Often Student Visa Work Rules Change

Visa work conditions can now be updated:

• The government has from time to time released Statements of Changes, which impact student visas, such as work hours and conditions of eligibility. In the UK, there are a number of recent changes introduced in different parts of the Immigration Rules.
• This occurs a number of times every year, so it is best to check on the official website from time to time (for instance, before commencing employment).

The government’s immigration website can be bookmarked, and a reminder on the calendar can be set to check for updates every semester, while university notifications via the official channels of the university should also be followed.

Creating a Personal Compliance Checklist for Your Visa

Immigration agencies and universities recommend that international students themselves check on their own status, as opposed to waiting on employers or assumed standards. This is a plan for a quick checklist that might prevent unwitting breaches of visa status.

An effective checklist for a student visa compliance should:

• Know your exact work limit: The conditions on your visa (eVisa/BRP/permit letter) state your weekly or fortnightly hour limit, which may vary during holidays.
• Total hours worked in all employment: If a worker has multiple employers, he should calculate his total hours by summing up all his hours worked, whether paid, unpaid, training, trial, etc.
• Verify the job type is permitted. This ensures that a worker is not self-employed or freelance, which is generally not allowed in a visa.
• Maintain proof of employment: Store your payslips, contracts, timesheets, and tax documents. It might come in handy when there’s a regulatory audit or a dispute.
• Check term dates and official holidays: Make use of the university’s academic calendar to find out when full-time work is permitted.
• Monitor changes: Regulations on work hours might change because of short-term government regulations. Make use of government guidelines on immigration or university websites at least once a semester.
• Know who to contact for assistance: It is a good idea to have contact information for your university’s international student office or visa assistance service in case there is any confusion before confirming a job.

Real-Life Scenarios and FAQs About Student Working Hours

Can I Work 40 Hours Per Week on a Student Visa?

Sometimes but not during term time.

In most nations, employment of 40 hours a week (full-time employment), is only permitted at:

• Official semester break periods or holidays
• After your course is completed, while your visa is still valid (for your country),

In a term time, most student visas will restrict your hours of work to part-time, such as (for instance), 20-24 hours per week, or 48 hours per fortnight. Additionally, working 40 hours per week is considered a visa violation, even when your employer supports your application.

What Happens If I Accidentally Go Over My Hour Limit?

Even accidental overtime exceeding the number of hours that are supposed to be worked may violate such conditions.

Consequences may include:

• A Warning or Investigation
• Visa Curtailment or Cancellation
• Issues with future visa applications 

If you realise that you have exceeded your hours: 

• Stop working entirely 
• Contact your university’s international student or visa office as soon as possible 
• Maintain a record that indicates it is unintentional and not ongoing 

Early intervention, or simply seeking honest advice, can sometimes mitigate this problem.

Can I Start Working Before My Course Officially Starts?

This varies by country and your visa situation: 

• UK & Australia: Most students are eligible to work prior to the start of university, provided their visa is valid. There may be hourly restrictions prior to the official beginning of term. 
• Canada & USA: Pre-session employment, especially that which is performed off-campus, is generally limited. In the USA, F-1 students are not allowed to work off-campus prior to attending classes. 

Always check: 

• Your visa start date 
• Your course start date 
• Any advice from your university or immigration office 

Commencing employment too soon, even by a couple of days, can be considered unauthorized employment

Conclusion

Student visa work rights can be a valuable support, but they come with strict conditions that every international student must follow. Knowing your allowed hours, understanding what counts as work, and staying alert to policy changes can help you avoid accidental visa breaches. Just as importantly, working smart, not just working the maximum allowed, helps protect your grades, health, and overall study experience.

Before taking on extra shifts or new jobs, always check your visa conditions and your university’s official guidance. With the right knowledge and planning, you can work confidently, stay compliant, and make the most of your time studying abroad.

Last updated on 19/12/2025