Working while you study
What your visa permits, and where to look for part-time work.
What each destination broadly allows
Work rights are attached to your visa, not your university, and breaking them can end your stay. These summaries are indicative and change often. The official page is the only version that counts.
| Destination | Broadly what students may do | Check here |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 48 hours a fortnight during term, unrestricted during scheduled course breaks | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| United Kingdom | Up to 20 hours a week in term for degree-level study, full-time in vacations | gov.uk/student-visa |
| Canada | Off-campus work allowed if your study permit says so, with a weekly cap in term and more in breaks | canada.ca |
| United States | On-campus work only in the first year; off-campus work needs separate authorisation | studyinthestates.dhs.gov |
| New Zealand | Commonly up to 20 hours a week in term, and full-time in some breaks | immigration.govt.nz |
| Ireland | 20 hours a week in term, 40 hours in the set holiday periods | irishimmigration.ie |
| Germany | A fixed number of full or half days a year, with extra rules for self-employment | make-it-in-germany.com |
| Netherlands | Either a set number of hours a week or full-time over summer, usually needing an employer permit | ind.nl |
Where to look for part-time work
Your university careers portal
Start here. Campus jobs and student-only listings, and employers who already understand your visa conditions.
The big job boards
Indeed and LinkedIn both filter for part-time and internship. Set alerts rather than searching repeatedly.
Local student boards
Most cities have one, and most countries have a government job bank. Search your city name with “student jobs”.
Your own department
Lab assistant, marker, note-taker, open-day guide. Paid, relevant to your degree, and rarely advertised widely.
Work rights, registration rules and insurance requirements differ by country and by visa type, and change without much notice. Each destination guide has its own section on part-time work: see the guides.