Am I allowed to work while studying abroad? This might be one of the most frequent questions that students ask before they take the road to study in a foreign country.
There are many countries that attract numbers of international students every year and allow them to work during their studies, though the rules and working hours for students are different in each country. Data indicate that more than 6 million tertiary students went to study abroad in 2019, Erudera.com reports.
In most cases, international students wishing to work while studying in a foreign country must obtain a work permit. The tables below show the largest countries where international students are allowed to work during their studies.
Note: Our team gathered all information on this page from official sources and will continue to update this page when new changes are made. Below you can find the list of countries, whether students can work during studies or not, and if they can, whether they need a work permit to work legally or not. If you want to suggest updates or would like to get in touch please contact [email protected].
Last Updated: 7 December 2023
Europe
Europe is home to some of the best and oldest universities in the world. In addition to offering quality education, these universities have proven to help with career preparation. According to Eurostat, 1.3 million international students were pursuing tertiary education in the EU during 2018.
| Country | Are students allowed to work? | If yes, do they need a work permit? | If yes, how many hours per month/year? | Minimum wage per hour (Estimated) | How much would a student make approximatelyper week/ month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andorra | Yes | Yes, all foreign nationals should obtain a work permit for work in Andorra | Part-time, 20 hours per week | € 7.42 | € 148,4 per week/ € 593,6 per month |
| Austria | Yes | No, they don’t need to apply for a work permit | Up to 20 hours per week | € 10.10 | € 202 per week / € 808 per month |
| Belgium | Yes | Yes, international students usually need to have a work permit | Up to 20 hours per week,there are no restrictive hours during Christmas, spring, and summer break | €11.87 | € 237,4 per week/ € 949.6 per month |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Yes | Yes, they need a work permit in advance | Part-time/ 20 hours per week | €1.83 | €36.6 per week / € 146.4 per month |
| Bulgaria | Yes | They have to apply for a work permit after graduation | 20 hours per week during their studies and holidays | €1.53 | €30.6 per week /€ 122.4 per month |
| Croatia | Yes | Yes, they need a work permit | Part-time only/ 20 hours per week | €4.04 | €80.8 per week / €323.2 per month |
| Cyprus | Yes | Yes, they need a work permit from Immigrant Authorities | Part-time/ up to 20 hours | € 5.87 | €117.5 per week/ €469.6per month |
| Czechia | Yes | A student must be enrolled in a degree program accredited by the Ministry of Education to be eligible to work | 20 hours per week during the full-time studies & 40 hours per week in summer/holiday breaks | €4.36 to€ 8.72 | €87.2 to €174.4 per week / €348.8 to €697.6 per month |
| Denmark | Yes | Yes, they need a work permit or an establishment card when applying for work after graduation | 20 hours per week and full-time during summer break | €13 to €17 | €260 to €340 per week/ €1,040 to €1,360 per month |
| Estonia | Yes | No, they do not need an additional working permit to work while studying full time and they are allowed to work on the condition that it does not interfere with their studies | There is no limitation on the number of working hours for students | €4.00 | €654 per month - full time job |
| Finland | Yes | Only students from non-EU/EEA students need a work permit | 25 hours a week during term time, and full time during holidays | €11.25 | €281.25 per week/ €900 to €1,125 per month |
| France | Yes | If the number of working hours exceeds 964 per year, the employer should apply for a temporary work permit on the Ministry of the Interior website on behalf of the student | 20 hours per week or up to 964 hours per year | €10.85 | €217 per week/ €868 per month |
| Georgia | Yes | Yes, they need a work permit from Georgian government | 20 hours per week maximum | €4.78 | €95.6 per week/ €382.4 |
| Germany | Yes | They can work without a work permit | 20 hours per week / full-time job for 120 days or part-time for 240 half days | €12.00 | €240 per week / €960 per month |
| Greece | Yes | Non-EU and non-EEA nationals must apply for a work visa and work permit to legally work in the country | 20 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours per week during vacations | €5.25 | €105 per week / €420 per month |
| Hungary | Yes | Non-EU international students will need to obtain a permit | 24 hours a week during the semester | €3.43 | €82.32 per week/ €274.4to €343 per month |
| Iceland | Yes, with limitations | Yes they should apply for a work permit | Non-EEA/EFTA student can work up to 15 hours per week during the academic year | €15.8 | €238 per week per 15h |
| Ireland | Yes | Students in full-time studies do not need a work permit in Ireland | Up to 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during vacations | €11.30 | €226 per week/ €904 per month |
| Italy | Yes | Non-EU students need to obtain a work permit if they want to work more than the permitted hoursEU Students have no restrictions | Non-EU students can work up to 20 hours/week during the academic year/ full-time during breaks | €9.2 | €184 per week/ €736 per month |
| Latvia | Yes | No, they don’t have to apply for a work permit while on student visa | 20 hours per week during the semester/ 40 hours while breaks | €3.8 | €76 per week/€304 per month |
| Liechtenstein | Yes, with limitations | Yes, they need a working permit from Ausländer- und Passamt | No limits on working hours apply to EU students (& citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland ). Others are allowed to work up to 35% during the semester | €20.00 to €35.00 | €1120 to €1960 per month |
| Lithuania | Yes | They need to have a temporary residence permit to be able to work | Up to 40 hours per week | €5.14 | €205 per week /€822 per month |
| Luxembourg | Yes | They must apply for a work or business-related residence permit at least 30 days before their current student residence permit expires. | Non-EU students are allowed to work up to 15 hours per week.EU, EEA, or Switzerland students are allowed to work without restrictions | €13.37 to €13.80 | €200 to €207 per 15h a week/ €2,313.38 to €2,387.40 per month full-time |
| Malta | Yes | All foreign nationals need a work permit in Malta | A maximum of 20 hours per week | €8.11 | €162.2 per week/ €648.8 per month |
| The Netherlands | Yes | They need a work permit | Up to 16 hours per week and full-time in summer months | €13.92 | €222.72 per week per 16 hours €890.88 per month per 64 hours |
| Norway | Yes | International students in Norway need a work permit unless they are citizens of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland | Up to 20 hours per week | €11.00 | €220 per week / €880 per month |
| Poland | Yes | No, they don’t need a work permit | 20 hours per week during studies 40 hours per week during holidays | €5.00 | €100 per week/ €400 per month |
| Portugal | Yes | A work permit is required | 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during vacations | €5.54 | €110.8 per week/ €443.2 per month |
| Romania | Yes | They don’t need a work permit. Only to work more hours in the country | 20 hours per week | €3.66 | €73.2 per week/ €292.8 per month |
| Russia | Yes | They need a work permit if the job is outside the university | Up to 20 hours per week | €1.81 to €3.32 | €36.2 to €66.4 per week/ €144.8 to €265.6 per month |
| Slovenia | Yes | They need a contract from Student Services employment agency | Students can work maximum40 hours per week | €6.17 to €6.92 | €246.8 to €276.8 per week per 40h/ €987.2 to €1,107 per month per 160h |
| Spain | Yes | They need work authorization | Up to 30 hours per week during their studies, which includes both curricular and extracurricular internships | €7.82 | €234.6 per week per, per 30h/ €938.4 per month per 120h |
| Sweden | Yes | If they want to stay and work in Sweden after completing their studies, they need a work permit | No legal limit on study-time, work hours,students may be allowed to work for 40 hours per week | €11.98 | €479.2 per week per 40h/ €1,916 per month per 160h |
| Switzerland | Yes | They should apply for a work permit after graduation | 15 hours per week during term-time, full-time during summer breaks | €24.00 | €360 per week per 15h/ €1,440 per month per 60h |
| Turkey | Yes | They need a work permit | 30 to 35 hours per week | €2.17 | 65.1 to 75.95 per week / €260.4 to €303.8 per month |
| Ukraine | No, it is considered illegal to work while studying | ||||
| United Kingdom | Yes | They need to obtain a work permit and hold a Tier 4 student visa | Up to 20 hours per week during the semester | €10.39 to €10.75 | €207.8 to €215 per week / €831.2 to €860 per month |
North America
North America, which along with South America and Oceania are called “New World”, is the third largest continent in the world.
According to the uniRank database, there are 1,893 officially recognized universities and colleges in North America.
| Country | Are students allowed to work? | If yes, do they need a work permit? | If yes, how many hours per month/year? | Minimum wage per hour (Estimated) | How much would a student make approximately per week/month? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bahamas | Yes | They need a short-term work permit | Part-time/ 20 hours per week max | €4.83 | €96.6 per week/ €386.4 per month |
| Barbados | International students are not permitted to work in Barbados, only for limited hours on campus | €6.67 | |||
| Canada | Yes | They don’t need a work permit | International students can work for unlimited hours | €15.31 | €1,787 per month for full-time |
| Costa Rica, | No, student visa holders are not allowed to work in Costa Rica | €16.35 | |||
| Jamaica | Yes | Yes, they need a work permit | international students are permitted to work in Jamaica, part-time during studies and full-time during school breaks | €1.35 | €27 per week for part-time/ €106 per month |
| Mexico | Yes, under certain conditions | Employer should apply for Work Permit on the students’ behalf | The maximum number of hours allowed for part-time work is 20 hours per week | €14.44 | €288.8 per week/ €1,155 per month |
| Panama | No, they are not allowed to work except if it is required for a course |
Australia / Oceania
Oceania is a diverse place, also known to be very welcoming to international students. Australia and New Zealand are the two countries that attract the most international students.
| Country | Are students allowed to work? | If yes, do they need a work permit? | If yes, how many hours per month/year? | Minimum wage per hour (Estimated) | How much would a student make approximately per week/month? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No, they don’t | On a valid student visa they can work for up to 20 hours per week, and there is no limit on the number of hours during recognized school vacations | €19.66 | €393.2 per week / €1,572 per month |
| Fiji | No, international students are not allowed to work in Fiji | ||||
| New Zealand | Yes | They need an IRD number from Inland Revenue | Up to 20 hours a week during studies/Full-time during holidays | €16.70 | €334 per week/€1,336 per month |
Asia
The world's largest continent is also a place of great explorations. From Buddhist temples to martial arts, the land of ancient civilizations offers a unique experience for international students.
Many countries in Asia are popular among international students because of the quality education universities offer, particularly Singapore. Find below which countries in Asia allow international students to work while studying.
| Country | Are students allowed to work? | If yes, do they need a work permit? | If yes, how many hours per month/year? | Minimum wage per hour (Estimated) | How much would a student make approximately per week/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Yes | They need a work permit | 20 hours per week | €1.11 | €179 per month for a full-time job |
| Bangladesh | Yes | They need a work permit | Up to 20 hours per week during their academic year and 40 hours per week during the vacation | €70.56 per month for a full-time job | |
| Cambodia | Yes | They need a work permit | Under AF1 visa at community college for 20 hours per week | €187.26 per month for a full-time job | |
| China | Yes, under certain conditions and limitations | Yes,international students must have a valid residence permit that is issued by their local Public Security Bureau | 8 hours per week. And not more than 40 hours per month | €3.64 | €29.12 per week/ €145.6 per month for 40h |
| India | No, international students are not allowed to work | ||||
| Indonesia | Indonesia does not allow international students to work while they study in the country | To be able to work, students need to have a work permit and work KITAS | |||
| Israel | No, international students are not allowed to work in Israel | ||||
| Japan | Yes | They need permission from the Japanese Ministry of Justice | Up to 28 hours weekly | €6.89 | €192.92 per week |
| Jordan | No, international students are not allowed to work in Jordan while studying | ||||
| Malaysia | Yes | they need to obtain a work permit from Ministry of Labor | 20 hours per week during semester breaks | €317.68 per month full-time job/ 158.84 per month for part-time | |
| Nepal | Students are not allowed to work under student visa | ||||
| Philippines | No, international students are not allowed to work with a student visa | ||||
| Qatar | Only in student employment programs offered by universitiesforeign students can't work off-campus on a student visa | Yes, they need a work permit They must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their educational institution | 20 hours per week | €255.76 per month for full- time | |
| Saudi Arabia | No, international students are not allowed to work in the country | ||||
| Singapore | Yes | They should hold a Training Work Permit, a Training Employment Pass, or be included in the Work Holiday Program | No longer than 16 hours per week | There is no legally mandated minimum wage. |
€1,628 per month for a full-time job Approximately 651.2 per month per 64 hours/month |
| South Korea | Yes | They need permission from Global Services Center (GSC) | 20 hours per week | €6.85 | €137 per week/ €548 per month |
| Thailand | Yes | They should have a work permit | 20 hours per week | €202.70 per full time/ €101.35 per part-time | |
| United Arab Emirates | Yes | They need UAE Work Permit | Up to four consecutive hours | ||
| Vietnam | Yes | They need a valid work permit | Part-time, 20 hours per week during the semester | €184.50 for full time job, €92.25 for part-tine |
Africa
Africa is the second largest continent in the world and also the most tropical. African universities, specifically those in Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, are ranked among the best universities in the world.
In recent years, the African region has become a favorite destination for international students. See below which African countries allow the employment of international students.
| Country | Are students allowed to work? | If yes, do they need a work permit? | If yes, how many hours per month/year? | Minimum wage per hour (Estimated) | How much would a student make approximately per week/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | Yes | They need to obtain a work permit | Parti-time, 20 hours per week | €1.41 | €270.23 for full time, €135.11 for part-time |
| Nigeria | No, international students are not permitted to work | ||||
| Rwanda | No, they are not permitted to work | ||||
| South Africa | Yes | They should apply for a work permit | Up to 20 hours per week | €1.30 | €26 per week, €104 per month |
| Tunisia | No, students are not allowed to work | ||||
| Uganda | No, students are not allowed to work |
South America
There are many reasons to study in Latin America, including the fact that hundreds of universities are ranked among the best in the world, but also the affordability.
One of the best universities in South America is the University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| Country | Are students allowed to work? | If yes, do they need a work permit? | If yes, how many hours per month/year? | Minimum wage per hour (Estimated) | How much would a student make approximately per week/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Yes | They need an authorization from the government | Up to 20 hours a week | €230.17 per month for full-time, €115 per month for part time | |
| Chile | Under student visa, they can only study | ||||
| Colombia | Yes | Foreign nationals who engage in any work activities in Colombia should obtain a “visa de trabajo”, TP-4 Visa | 20 hours per week during studies and up to 25 hours per week during summer semester | € 254.68 per month for full time / €127.34 per month for part time | |
| Falkland Islands | Yes | Anyone who does not have Falkland Islands Status or a Falkland Islands Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) needs a work permit to undertake employment in the Falkland Islands | International students in the Falkland Islands are typically allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations, depending on their visa type, age, and the type of work they are doing. | €8.09 | €161.8 per week for part time/ €647.2 per month for part-time |
Note:
- In certain countries, there is no legally mandated minimum hourly wage. In such cases, we divided the minimum monthly wage by the maximum number of hours a student is permitted to work to determine the equivalent hourly wage rate.
- The calculation of a student's weekly or monthly earnings aims to produce an estimated amount, as the actual amount earned may vary depending on the type of work performed. Therefore, the resulting figures should be viewed as an average or approximate amount rather than a final sum.
- Part-time job in most cases is considered to be 80 hours per month, which is half of a full-time schedule of 160 hours
- The calculation currency used in the study is the euro, even in countries where it is not the primary currency. This was done as an example to provide an idea of the amount involved.
Please note that minimum wages may vary over time. If you believe we have used an outdated minimum wage for any country, please contact us