Part‑Time Work for International Students: The Rules of the Game

Once a student gets their visa and buys their ticket, parents usually think the hard part is behind them. But a couple of months later, worrying messages start appearing in the family chat: "Mum, money's running out faster than I thought." And that's when the natural urge to find a part‑time job kicks in. Students want pocket money and independence; parents want their child not to be a financial burden — but also not to get involved in anything illegal. Because working unofficially in a foreign country can lead not just to a fine, but to losing your visa and your dream of an education. Let's break down where, how much, and how you can work legally, what to expect, and how to avoid falling into the hands of unscrupulous employers.

How Many Hours Are Allowed by Law: The Key Figures by Country

In 2026, the rules for international students working have changed in several key countries, so it's important to know the current numbers — not rely on stories from older friends who studied five years ago.

USA (F‑1 visa). The rules here are straightforward: on campus, you can work with virtually no restrictions; off campus, there's strict control and you need authorisation. On university premises, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours during holidays without special approval. Libraries, canteens, labs, teaching assistant or research assistant positions — all of these are available. Off campus, however, you need specific authorisation: CPT for internships during your studies, and OPT for work after graduation (12 months, with an additional 24 months for STEM fields). And a crucial detail: during your first year of study, working off campus is completely prohibited. Without authorisation — deportation and a long‑term ban from re‑entry.
United Kingdom. A student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full‑time during holidays — with no fixed 40‑hour cap. Important nuance: check your visa vignette — if it says "No work," you cannot work at all. Before starting a job, you need to obtain a National Insurance Number (NINO) — the UK equivalent of a tax ID. The application can take up to 4 weeks, so it's best to apply as soon as you arrive. You are not allowed to work freelance, be self‑employed, engage in professional sports, or take a permanent full‑time position.
Canada. Since November 15, 2024, the limit has been 24 hours per week during term time, with no restrictions during holidays. On campus, there are no hourly limits. You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which takes about 10 working days to obtain. An important change from April 1, 2026: for co‑op programmes and internships that are part of your curriculum, you no longer need a separate work permit — a valid study permit is sufficient. Students enrolled only in ESL/FSL programmes, general interest courses, or preparatory programmes are not permitted to work off campus.
Australia (subclass 500 visa). Here they count not by weeks but by fortnights: 48 hours per fortnight during term time, with no restrictions during holidays. That works out to roughly 24 hours per week. Research master's and doctoral students can work unlimited hours throughout their studies. You'll need a Tax File Number (TFN) — the Australian tax identification number.
Germany. The German system uses annual limits: 140 full days or 280 half‑days per year without authorisation from the Federal Employment Agency. That's roughly 20 hours per week on average over the year. Working as an academic assistant (HiWi) may exceed the 140 full‑day or 280 half‑day limit, but you must notify the local foreigners authority (Kreisverwaltungsreferat) of such an excess. As of January 2026, the minimum wage in Germany is €13.90 per hour. A popular format is the Mini‑Job, with earnings of up to €603 per month.
Schengen countries (France, Italy, Spain). In Spain, as of 2026, the limit has been increased to 30 hours per week. In France and Italy, it's typically up to 20 hours per week during term time. Each country has its own nuances — always check the website of the local embassy or your university's international office.

Where to Find Work Without Experience: Options for Beginners

The safest place to start is on campus. Universities are large employers, and they're used to international students. Jobs that don't require experience or special skills: library assistant (shelving books, helping readers), canteen or café worker, lab assistant (washing glassware, preparing samples), administrative assistant, campus tour guide for new students, or tutor for junior courses in your subject. In the UK, universities hold dedicated job fairs for students.

Off campus, the most accessible options without experience are in the service sector: cafés, restaurants (dishwasher, barista, waiter), retail (sales assistant, cashier), food delivery, childcare or elderly care (babysitting, care work). In Australia, seasonal farm work is popular — it pays well (around AU$25–30 per hour), and in some cases can help extend your working visa.

The key advice for your job search: start with your university's career centre or job portal — all offers there have been vetted for visa compliance. In Germany, search through the Stellenwerk portal; in the UK, through UniHub; in the US, through the student employment office. And never take a job unofficially from an ad on social media without checking — that's the main route to scammers.

How Not to End Up in the Grip of Unscrupulous Employers

This isn't meant to scare parents — it's reality. There are dozens of schemes for defrauding international students, and they all rely on one thing: you don't know local laws and you're afraid of losing your visa.

Red flags to watch out for:

The employer asks you to pay for an internship, training, uniform, or "insurance" before you start.
They promise to pay you cash in hand with no contract and no taxes — that's illegal work. You might not get paid, and you'll have no recourse.
They refuse to show you an employment contract or give it to you in a language you don't understand without a translation.
They take your passport or other documents "for processing" — this is absolutely illegal in all civilised countries.
The work schedule doesn't match what your visa allows (e.g., offering 30 hours per week during term time in the UK).
They ask you to open a bank account in your name or transfer money through you — that's money laundering, and the liability falls on you.

What to do if you've already got into such a situation: immediately contact your university's international office — they have lawyers who help students for free. In emergencies — contact the local police. And never stay silent out of fear of deportation: helping victims of labour exploitation takes priority over punishing visa violations in many countries.

Legal Work: What You Need to Do Before Your First Day

Every country has mandatory formalities you need to complete before you start working:

USA — Social Security Number (SSN). Apply at your local Social Security Administration office. Without an SSN, you won't be officially hired.
United Kingdom — National Insurance Number (NINO). Apply online or by phone; the process can take up to 4 weeks.
Canada — Social Insurance Number (SIN). Obtain it at a Service Canada office; takes about 10 working days.
Australia — Tax File Number (TFN). Apply online through the Australian Taxation Office website.
Germany — your tax identification number (Steueridentifikationsnummer) is sent to you by post automatically after you register your address (Anmeldung). Without Anmeldung, you cannot work legally.

Golden rule: registration first — work second. Without legal status and a tax number, you're illegal in the eyes of the law, even if the employer promises to "sort everything out."

A part‑time job isn't just about "extra money." It's about your first experience in a foreign country, about language, about making connections, and about learning to take responsibility for yourself. The main thing is that this experience should be safe and legal. And we'll do everything to make sure it is.