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Students who are planning to study abroad need to look at their finances accordingly. Tuition costs, living expenses and other basic expenses can cost a lot and need to be managed. To cope with these financial pressures, students usually work part-time while studying to manage their daily expenses. Every country has different legal laws for working part-time as an international student and the average amount they can earn. In this report, we will compile official data and offer you an insight into the part-time work reality abroad, along with legal hours and actual student earnings in different countries.
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Understanding Legal Work Hours for International Students
Before planning your fences around part-time jobs abroad, you must know the legal work hours of that specific country. Most countries allow international students to work for a limited number of hours during their studies. These hours are usually around 20 hours per week and can increase to full-time during official semester breaks. However, exceeding these allotted hours can lead to certain risks like visa violations, penalties, deportation risks and long-term immigration impact.
What International Students Actually Earn in Part-time Jobs
Knowing the legal working hours for each country can help you understand your actual earnings in part-time jobs. Many countries allow international students to work around 20 hours per week during academic sessions. However, the costs differ from country to country.
Most of the students who work in retail, hospitality, and campus services earn close to the minimum wage, while working night shifts or weekends can pay a little higher.
Also Read: Value of Part-Time Jobs While Studying Abroad
Legal Hours vs Actual Earnings for International Students
International students are allowed to work part-time in most of the popular study destinations, but the number of legal working hours varies by country. These working hours also offer hourly wages, which vary for each country, too. Below, we have mentioned some of the popular study abroad destinations along with the legal work hours and actual earnings for international students as stated by the government of that country.
| Country | Term-Time Work Limit | Typical Hourly Wage (Hourly) | Vacation Work Limit |
| Australia | Up to 20 hours per week | AUD 20–25 | Unlimited during study vacations |
| United Kingdom | Up to 20 hours per week | GBP 10–15 | Full-time allowed (varies by university) |
| United States of America | Up to 20 hours per week | USD 10-15 | Full-time allowed during academic breaks |
| Canada | Up to 24 hours per week | CAD 15–17 | Full-time allowed during academic breaks |
| France | Average 21 hours per week (964 hours/year) | EUR 10-15 | Included in annual limit |
| Germany | 120 full days or 240 half days per year | EUR 10–12 | The same annual limit applies |
| New Zealand | Up to 20 hours per week | NZD 18–25 | Up to 40 hours per week |
From this comparison, you can find out about certain aspects:
1. Legal Hours vs Actual Earnings: Most countries allow around 20 hours per week during academic sessions, and the monthly earnings from these jobs usually cover only a small portion of living costs.
2. Wage Differences Matter: Hourly wages vary significantly by country and city, which reduces actual disposable income.
3. Earnings Are Not Always Enough: Even with consistent part-time work, students often earn less than their total monthly expenses but can still help to an extent.
4. Exceeding Working hours can cause issues: Working more than the allowed hours can lead to visa violations and penalties.
Also Read: Part-time Jobs in USA
Is Part-Time Work Enough to Survive Abroad?
For many Indian students, part-time work abroad can feel like a financial security, but it covers only a portion of the daily expenses. In most study destinations, part-time income alone is usually not enough to fully cover living expenses, especially during academic sessions. Even if a student works the maximum legal hours, part-time coverings usually cover only basic day-to-day costs such as groceries or local travel.
The part-time jobs should be seen as financial support and not as a primary funding source. Students who think that part-time jobs can cover most of the daily expenses of a student’s life usually experience stress and pressure.
Smart Alternatives to Reduce Financial Pressure
Since part-time work has its own limitations on finances, students need to follow certain other alternatives to reduce financial pressure. Some of these alternatives to reduce financial pressure are:
- Scholarships and Grants: Scholarships like merit-based, need-based and country-specific scholarships can reduce tuition costs to a great extent and help lower dependence on part-time income.
- On-Campus Jobs: University-based jobs are usually more flexible and more aligned with student schedules. These jobs can reduce travel costs and compliance risk.
- Paid Internships and Co-Op Programs: Paid internships and Co-op programs offer high pay and valuable work experience while staying within the visa rules.
- Budgeting: Choosing shared accommodation, student travel passes, cooking at home, and tracking monthly expenses can make a noticeable difference for international students.
- Family Support and Savings Planning: Having a clear financial backup reduces stress and prevents risky decisions as an international student.
FAQs
Canada has more part-time jobs for students due to a large service sector, a high student population, flexible work laws, and strong demand in retail and hospitality.
Australia offers higher hourly wages for international students, especially in hospitality and retail jobs, although higher living costs reduce overall savings.
Australia allows international students to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time and unlimited hours during official study breaks.
Germany is considered the best because of low or no tuition fees, reasonable living costs, and legal part-time work opportunities that help manage monthly expenses.
Canada hires the most Indians due to its large Indian diaspora, inclusive job market, and high demand for workers in service and skilled sectors.
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So, this was all about the Part-Time Work Reality Abroad: Legal Hours vs Actual Student Earnings by Country. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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