How Many Hours Can International Students Work? 2026 Country Comparison

International students at UK universities and higher education providers can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. During official university holidays — Christmas, Easter, and summer — you can work full-time with no weekly cap. Students at further education colleges studying below degree level are typically limited to 10 hours per week during term time.

Self-employment and running a business are not permitted on a UK Student Visa, regardless of hours worked.

Australia uses a fortnight (any consecutive 14-day period) rather than a weekly cap. During your course, you can work up to 48 hours across any 14-day window — roughly 24 hours per week. During official semester breaks and holidays, work hours are unlimited.

Masters by Research and PhD students have unlimited work rights throughout the year, including during their course. One important detail: the fortnight is measured on a rolling basis from any Monday — not fixed calendar weeks. Track your hours carefully across overlapping fortnights to avoid a breach.

As of 2026, eligible international students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions — a reduction from the temporary 40-hour limit introduced post-pandemic. On-campus work at your own institution has no fixed hour cap, provided you remain a full-time student.

During officially scheduled breaks such as summer vacation and winter holidays, eligible students can work full-time. A valid study permit with work conditions is required — not all study permits automatically include off-campus work rights.

From November 2025, Immigration New Zealand increased the part-time work allowance for eligible international students from 20 to 25 hours per week during term time — one of the most student-friendly policy updates of 2025. During scheduled course holidays and semester breaks, full-time work is permitted.

The 25-hour limit applies to students enrolled in full-time programmes at degree level and above. Students in shorter or lower-level programmes may face different conditions — always check your specific visa conditions.

The USA has the most restrictive student work rights of any major study destination. F-1 students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during term time. Off-campus work is generally not permitted — exceptions include Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which must be an integral part of your curriculum, and Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is typically authorised after graduation.

Full-time on-campus work is permitted during official university breaks. Note: 12 months of full-time CPT makes a student ineligible for OPT — a critical rule to understand before accepting any CPT arrangement.

Germany uses an annual model rather than a weekly cap. International students can work 120 full working days (or 240 half days) per year — which works out to roughly 20 hours per week on average, but gives you flexibility to work more intensively during holidays and less during busy academic periods.

Student jobs in Germany are known as "Nebenjobs" and are widely available in retail, hospitality, tutoring, and campus roles. Germany's minimum wage makes it a financially attractive destination for students willing to work alongside their studies.