Studying abroad can be an exciting yet financially challenging experience for international students. Many international students want to work extra hours to cover their expenses while studying abroad. However, most student visas only allow them to work 20 hours per week during school sessions.
If you’re wondering how to work more than 20 hours on a student visa, there are legal ways to do so. Some options include on-campus jobs, internships, and working full-time during holidays. It’s important to follow the rules to avoid problems with your visa. This guide will help you understand the best ways to earn more money without breaking any laws.
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How to Work More Than 20 Hours on a Student Visa Legally?
Although exceeding the standard 20-hour limit is restricted, there are legal ways to increase your working hours while studying. If you’re searching for how to work more than 20 hours on a student visa, here’s how you can do it:
Find On-Campus Jobs
Many countries allow students to work unlimited hours on-campus. Check your university’s job portal for research assistantships, library jobs, cafeteria positions, or administrative roles.
- In the U.S., F-1 students can work more than 20 hours per week on-campus without violating visa conditions.
- In Canada, on-campus work is exempt from the standard off-campus work-hour limitations.
Enroll in Co-op or Internship Programs
Many universities offer co-op programs and internships that allow students to work full-time while gaining relevant industry experience.
- Canada: Co-op students can work full-time during their placement semesters.
- Australia: Work-integrated learning (WIL) placements do not count towards the 48-hour per fortnight limit.
- U.S.: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F-1 students to work beyond 20 hours per week if the job is related to their studies.
Apply for Post-Study Work Permits
If you need to work full-time, consider post-graduation work permits that allow employment after completing your studies.
- U.S.: Optional Practical Training (OPT) lets F-1 students work for up to 12 months after graduation, with a 24-month extension for STEM graduates.
- Australia: The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) enables students to work without restrictions after graduation.
- Canada: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) provides work authorization for up to three years.
Use Academic Breaks to Work Full-Time
Most student visas allow full-time work during scheduled academic breaks, including summer and winter holidays. If you’re exploring how to work more than 20 hours on a student visa, plan ahead and use this opportunity to maximise your earnings legally.
Seek Permission for Additional Work Hours
Some countries offer special provisions for students in financial distress or in exceptional circumstances. Contact your university’s international student office to check if you qualify for additional work-hour permissions.
Also Read:
- International Students Working Hours: What You Need to Know
- Can International Students Work More than 40 Hours in Canada: A Detailed Guide
Understanding Work Hour Restrictions on a Student Visa
Now that you know how to work more than 20 hours on a student visa, it’s essential to understand that each country has specific rules regarding how many hours international students can work while studying. Some nations strictly enforce the 20-hour weekly limit, while others offer more flexibility through internships, co-op programs, or seasonal work permits. Here’s an overview of the work-hour limitations in popular study destinations:
- United States: F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during academic sessions and full-time during breaks. Off-campus work requires authorisation through CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training).
- Canada: Students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus (as of Fall 2024) and full-time during scheduled breaks.
- Australia: Student visa holders can work 48 hours per fortnight (24 hours per week) during study terms and unlimited hours during vacations.
- United Kingdom: Students on a Tier 4 visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks.
- Germany: Non-EU students can work 120 full days or 240 half days per year, averaging around 20 hours per week.
- France: International students can work up to 964 hours per year, averaging 21 hours per week.
Also Read:
- Work and Travel Australia: Working Holiday in Australia
- Flexible Jobs for Students: Working while Studying
Consequences of Exceeding Work Hour Limits Illegally
Exceeding work hour limits without proper authorisation can lead to serious repercussions for both employees and employers. Violating labor regulations may result in disciplinary actions, legal penalties, financial losses, and health risks. Here is a list of consequences:
- Visa cancellation: Immigration authorities may revoke your visa if they discover a violation.
- Deportation: Violating work conditions can result in being deported and banned from re-entering the country.
- Legal penalties: Employers hiring students beyond their permitted hours may face fines or legal action.
- Impact on future visa applications: Any violation may reduce your chances of obtaining future work visas or permanent residency.
How to Find High-Paying Jobs Within the 20-Hour Limit?
For international students, finding high-paying jobs within a 20-hour work limit requires focusing on on-campus jobs, remote work, and freelance opportunities that comply with visa restrictions. Here’s how:
1. Check On-Campus Jobs
- Teaching/Research Assistant – High-paying roles in universities.
- Library/IT Support – Often flexible and well-paid.
- Student Ambassador/Admin Jobs – Universities pay well for these roles.
2. Explore Remote & Freelance Work (If Allowed by Your Visa)
- Freelancing (Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal) – Tech, design, writing, and consulting pay well.
- Online Tutoring (Chegg, Preply, Wyzant) – High rates for subjects like math, coding, and languages.
- Content Creation – Blogging, YouTube, or social media can generate income.
3. Find High-Paying Part-Time Jobs
- Tech & IT Jobs – Web development, software testing, and data entry.
- Retail & Hospitality – Luxury brands, fine dining, or front-desk roles.
- Delivery & Ridesharing – Uber Eats, DoorDash (if allowed by your visa).
4. Network & Apply Smartly
- Use LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to find student-friendly jobs.
- Attend university career fairs and networking events.
5. Internships & Co-op Programs
- Some universities allow paid internships as part of study programs.
6. Upskill for Better Pay
- Learn digital marketing, coding, or graphic design to access better-paying jobs.
If you want to work more than 20 hours on a student visa, look for legal options like on-campus jobs, co-op programs, internships, or full-time work during breaks. Avoid illegal work, as it can put your visa and future career at risk. Know the rules and use available programs to balance work and studies safely.
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FAQs
To work more than 20 hours on a student visa legally, you can work unlimited hours during academic breaks, take up internships or placements linked to your course, or apply for special work permits. Always check your host country’s regulations to avoid penalties.
Working more than the allowed hours without proper authorization can lead to serious consequences, such as visa cancellation, deportation, legal fines, and difficulties obtaining future visas or permanent residency. Immigration authorities actively monitor visa compliance, and violations can severely impact your ability to stay in the country.
This depends on your country’s regulations. Some student visas restrict freelance or self-employed work, even if it’s done online. For example, in the U.S., F-1 visa holders cannot engage in self-employment or freelancing. However, in Canada and Australia, students may take up freelancing if they have proper tax registration and it does not violate their visa conditions.
Yes, in some countries, on-campus jobs are exempt from work-hour limits. For example, in the U.S., F-1 visa holders can work unlimited hours on-campus. In Canada, students can also work full-time on-campus without it counting toward the off-campus 20-hour limit.
Common on-campus jobs include research assistantships, library jobs, cafeteria roles, administrative positions, and IT support. Universities often provide flexible schedules for student workers, and these jobs can be a good way to legally increase working hours.
If your internship is part of your academic program, it may not count towards the 20-hour limit. For example, in Canada, co-op students can work full-time during their placement semester. In the U.S., students can participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows them to work beyond the 20-hour restriction if the internship is directly related to their field of study.
CPT is a program that allows F-1 visa students to work in a paid internship or co-op related to their studies. If authorized, students can work full-time (more than 20 hours per week), but CPT must be an integral part of their academic curriculum.
Yes, OPT allows F-1 students to work full-time after graduation for up to 12 months, with a 24-month extension for STEM graduates. However, students using pre-completion OPT while still studying can only work part-time (20 hours per week).
Not necessarily. Some countries define academic breaks as official holidays set by the university (e.g., summer, winter, or spring breaks). Short mid-term breaks may not qualify, so it’s best to confirm with your school’s international office.
Not always. Some work-study programs, especially those tied to academic requirements (e.g., co-op programs, internships), do not count towards the weekly work limit. However, general part-time jobs under work-study must follow the 20-hour restriction.
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