Part-Time Work Rules for International Students: USA, Canada, UK and Australia
Working while you study helps with living costs, but breaking the rules can cost you your visa. Here are the part-time work rules for international students in the four most popular destinations.
Table of Contents
Checked against official sources in September 2026. Rules, fees and amounts change, so confirm on the official pages linked in this guide before you act. This is educational information, not legal or immigration advice.
| Country | During term | During official breaks | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA (F-1) | On campus up to 20 hrs/week | On campus full time | Off-campus work only with authorization (CPT/OPT). No gig or cash jobs. |
| Canada | Off campus up to 24 hrs/week | Unlimited | You need a SIN and must stay enrolled. |
| UK | Usually up to 20 hrs/week for degree-level study (check your visa record) | Full time during official vacations | No self-employment or freelancing. |
| Australia | Up to 48 hrs per fortnight while your course is in session | Unlimited during scheduled breaks | Do not start work before your course starts. |
USA: the strictest rules
F-1 students can work on campus within limits. Almost all off-campus work needs CPT or OPT. Driving for ride-share or delivery apps, or taking cash jobs, is unauthorized employment and can end your status. See on-campus jobs for F-1 students and CPT vs OPT.
Canada: 24 hours a week
During regular academic sessions you can work up to 24 hours a week off campus, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks such as summer. Going over 24 hours in term breaks your permit conditions. See our Canada guide.
UK: check your visa record
Your work limit is shown on your visa record. Degree-level students at a university usually have 20 hours a week in term time. Self-employment, freelancing and some other roles are not allowed. See our UK guide.
Australia: 48 hours a fortnight
Count hours across the fortnight, not per week. Unlimited work is allowed only during scheduled course breaks. Master’s by research and doctoral students have different conditions. See our Australia guide.
Rules that apply everywhere
- Keep your own record of hours worked.
- Get a proper tax or ID number: SIN, TFN, NI number or SSN.
- Never accept cash-in-hand work. It is illegal and leaves you without protection.
- Studies come first. Falling below the required enrolment can end your status.
How to track hours under part-time work rules
- Keep a simple log of each shift: date, employer, start and finish time.
- In Australia, add hours across each fortnight, not each week.
- If you have two jobs, add both together. The limit is for all work combined.
- Save pay slips and compare them with your log each month.
Part-time work rules and taxes
Students who work usually pay income tax and may need to file a tax return. Keep pay slips and year-end tax forms. In the USA, F-1 students who are nonresidents for tax purposes generally file Form 8843 each year, even with no income.
Part-time work rules exist to protect your studies. If a job regularly pushes you over the limit, find another one before it becomes a visa problem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Work Rules
How many hours can international students work in Canada?
Up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic sessions, and unlimited during scheduled breaks.
How many hours can students work in Australia?
Up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, and unlimited during scheduled course breaks.
Can F-1 students work off campus?
Only with authorization such as CPT or OPT. On-campus work is limited to 20 hours a week during the academic session.
Official resources
- IRCC: Work off campus
- Study Australia: Student visa work conditions
- GOV.UK: Student visa
- DHS: Study in the States
What part-time job do you have abroad? Share tips in the forums.
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