Guide
How many hours international students may work, country by country
The weekly limit on paid work during term for students on a study visa, from each government’s own page.
A part-time job can pay for rent, but only within the hours the visa allows. Working more than the limit is one of the most common ways students lose their permit. The limits below apply during term; most countries allow full-time work in the official holidays, and each guide says so where it does.
The short answer
- Most hours: Chile (30), Finland (30), Hungary (30) hours a week.
- The most common limit is 20 hours a week, in 22 countries.
- 24 countries set no weekly figure we could source, or do not let students work; their guides explain the rule.
Every country, most hours first
| Country | Limit during term | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | 30 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Finland | 30 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Hungary | 30 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Spain | 30 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Japan | 28 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| New Zealand | 25 hours a week | 26 September 2026 |
| Australia | 24 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Canada | 24 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Austria | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Belgium | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Bulgaria | 20 hours a week | 26 September 2026 |
| Croatia | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Cyprus | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Denmark | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| France | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Germany | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Greece | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Ireland | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Italy | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Latvia | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Lithuania | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Malaysia | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Malta | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Norway | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Qatar | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Serbia | 20 hours a week | 26 September 2026 |
| South Africa | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Taiwan | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| United Kingdom | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| United States | 20 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Netherlands | 16 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Singapore | 16 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Albania | 15 hours a week | 25 September 2026 |
| Luxembourg | 15 hours a week | 26 September 2026 |
| Sweden | 15 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
| Switzerland | 15 hours a week | 26 September 2026 |
| North Macedonia | 10 hours a week | 25 September 2026 |
| South Korea | 10 hours a week | 24 September 2026 |
Some countries count the limit per year or per fortnight, or give different limits by level of study; the figure here is the weekly equivalent the government states, and the country guide gives the full rule and the official source.
Questions
Can international students work while studying?
In 38 of the 62 countries we cover, yes, up to a weekly limit during term. The most common limit is 20 hours a week.