Study abroad isn’t just for the rich kids—but it can sure feel that way when you’re scrolling through Instagram grids of your classmates’ daily wine snacks or bubble tea treats and weekend excursions.
Cafe hopping in foreign countries doesn’t come cheap.
Yeah, you’ve researched inexpensive study abroad destinations and started putting together applications for study abroad scholarships. Studying abroad still comes with some very real costs. Having the ability to work abroad while you study can be a game changer in transforming your goal of studying abroad from a fuzzy daydream to an attainable reality.
If you need to work to afford studying abroad, you’ll want to explore countries that allow international students to work while studying. How many hours you can work and extra permissions you need to get vary, but these countries are generally open to the idea of international students working while pursuing their studies.
Can you work on a student visa?
Maybe you’re set on a famously expensive destination. Maybe you’re putting “does a student visa allow you to work?” high on your list of questions to ask your study abroad advisor just to figure out where to go.
Whether you can work while studying abroad really depends on where you plan to study. While some popular study abroad locations answer with a hard no, there are absolutely countries that allow international students to work while studying out there.
Pro-tip: Rules can change at any time, so always double-check guidelines to make sure you’re current on work and visa guidelines where you’re going. You don’t want to mess with immigration regulations. Less-than-legal possibilities to earn money may be tempting, but you can get kicked out of the country if you don’t follow the rules.
READ: I Want to Study Abroad But I Can’t Afford It: Help?
6 countries that allow international students to work while studying
Take heart if pricey flights and the overall cost of study abroad have you hesitant to apply. These six countries make working while you study a possibility:
1. Australia
Find a part time hospitality job while studying in Australia!
Does a student visa allow you to work? In Australia, your answer is a resounding yes. International students can work up to 40 hours every two weeks (and unlimited hours during holiday breaks) while studying.
The ability to work while abroad is just one of many good reasons to study in Australia. Top-tier universities attract international students by the hundreds of thousands, and you can study pretty much anything. Oh, and you won’t have to stress over a language barrier, either in the classroom or at work.
Of course, it’s not just the academic climate that makes Australia a great destination for international students. Hip cities and unique landscapes mean you’ll easily find a setting worthy of your study abroad dreams.
That extra cash you’ll earn at your part-time job lets you fund both your studies and some well-deserved adventures, so make time to travel the Great Ocean Road, scuba dive, bungee jump, and soak up the sunshine when you’re not working or hitting the books.
2. France
France consistently ranks as one of the top destinations to study abroad. But along with its reputation for artistry and romance, the country often gets stuck with another, less attractive label: super expensive. You’re not alone if you’re asking “can you work while studying abroad in France?” on repeat as you research your options.
Good news, future students in la France. All foreign students have the right to work while studying here.
International students can work up to 964 hours each year, though you’ll need a student resident permit if you’re not an EU national. You’ll also have to make social security contributions.
Flexible rules mean you can work on or off campus, so you can find a job that meets your needs while you attend classes. Put that together with some tried-and-true strategies to make studying in France affordable and you’re well on the way to indulging in all the history, food, and architecture that draws students from around the world to France.
3. Sweden
Your host university in Sweden may have on-campus job opportunities.
Australia? Sure. France? Of course. But Sweden? Maybe you don’t have it in your round-up of quintessential study abroad destinations.
Consider this your notice to revisit that list. You can’t go wrong with Sweden if you’re searching for a country that makes deciphering the ins and outs of work permission easy for international students.
If you have a residence permit for your studies, you can work during the permit’s period of validity. Simple as that! You may find landing a job a little tough if you don’t already speak Swedish, but try looking to your university to see if they offer campus work possibilities.
Straightforward work rules are only the start of a catalog of reasons to study abroad in Sweden. From a welcoming environment and top-notch universities to breathtaking nature, chic cities, and a dedication to sustainability, Sweden has all the traits to deliver a transformative study abroad experience.
4. New Zealand
If you’re looking for a destination abroad with a serious flair for adventure, put this country on your radar. Respected universities mean you’ll have an assortment of great study abroad programs to explore in New Zealand. Take classes toward your major, and while you’re at it, explore snowy mountains, vibrant coral reefs, and everything in between.
Famous for adventure activities and friendly Kiwis, New Zealand offers a welcoming environment with plenty of learning opportunities. Still, those enticing details only go so far when you’re worried about funding your time overseas.
Working on a student visa in New Zealand is totally possible. Depending on your program, you may be able to take on a part-time job for up to 20 hours per week and work full-time during holidays.
New Zealand also takes the guesswork out of figuring out your work permission by recording your work rights in your eVisa, the visa label in your passport, or in a letter. You’ll typically need to enroll in a full-time course that runs for at least two academic years or is at least one academic year and part of an approved student exchange scheme to qualify.
5. Germany
Get work experience in Germany while mitigating study abroad costs.
With its mix of dynamic cities and historic university towns, Germany can quickly get your study abroad daydreams firing. High-quality education coupled with affordable fees make this an attainable European destination.
To top it all off, you can work as an international student in Germany. Students from other EU countries or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland have pretty much the same rights as students from Germany. If you’re from another country, you can work 120 full days or 240 half days each year.
You’d need to get permission from the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office) if you want to work beyond those limits. You also can’t work as a freelancer or be self-employed as an international student.
A few key exceptions exist. If you work as an academic assistant, you won’t have a cap on the number of days you can work (though you will have to let the Ausländerbehörde know). However, if you’re in Germany to take a language course or study at a preparatory college, you will only be eligible to work during the recess period, and only if you get permission from the Agentur für Arbeit and Ausländerbehörde.
6. United Kingdom
Whether you’re itching for time spent studying in London or your study abroad wish list has you looking at programs throughout England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you’re likely weighing the centuries of history and world-class universities against the cost of living. So, can you work while studying abroad? In the UK, it depends.
Understanding how you’ll enter the UK is key. United States citizens studying for one semester or for up to six months can typically either apply for Student immigration permission or apply to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor.
If you go to the UK as a Visitor, you can’t work, either in paid or unpaid positions. Student immigration permission comes with the ability to work up to 20 hours per week during the term (and you must apply for Student immigration permission if you’re studying for longer than six months).
The catch: Applying for visitor immigration costs a lot less than applying via the student permission route. And having student permission doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually land a job while in the UK—it simply opens the possibility of working while abroad. If you’re a student who can choose between the options, you’ll want to carefully consider whether just having the ability to work on a student visa makes going that route worthwhile to you.
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Don’t let your budget hold you back from studying abroad!
Studying abroad can give you a global perspective, let you experience new places, and even make you more likely to land a great job in the future. Your budget shouldn’t stand in the way of reaping all those benefits. Explore the countries where you can work on a student visa if earning money while studying abroad is a decisive factor in getting you overseas.
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