How NAC Travel International helps you earn smart without risking your visa

Studying abroad often includes a part-time job. The trick is staying within legal limits, setting a realistic budget, and keeping taxes simple. Here is a clear, research-backed guide for the most popular destinations, then how NAC Travel International turns the rules into a workable plan for you.

Legal work hours at a glance

  • United States
    F-1 students can work on campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. Full-time is allowed during official breaks. Off-campus work needs specific authorization such as CPT or OPT.

  • Canada
    Eligible international students may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic sessions, if all IRCC conditions are met. 

  • Australia
    Most student visa holders may work up to 48 hours per fortnight while classes are in session and unlimited hours during course breaks, with specific exceptions for research degrees.

  • Germany
    Third-country students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year. As an alternative, up to 20 hours per week is generally permitted. 

  • United Kingdom
    Most degree-level Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week in term time and full-time in official vacations. Always check your BRP or visa vignette and your university’s guidance.

  • Tip: University rules, placement conditions, and public-holiday definitions can change how hours are counted. Always check your institution’s guidance in addition to national rules. 

Can part-time work cover living costs?

Short answer: it can help, but it rarely covers everything in a major city. Here is a simple way to test your plan:

  1. Estimate earnings
    Hourly pay × legal weekly hours × 4.3 weeks.
    Use the legal cap, not what a friend did.

  2. List essentials
    Rent or residence hall, food, local transport, phone, health insurance, study materials. Add an emergency buffer.

  3. Subtract and stress-test
    Check the result against slower months, exam weeks, and unpaid placement periods. If your plan collapses as soon as hours drop, the budget is not safe.

What usually happens in practice:

  • A campus or entry-level job often covers groceries and local transport, sometimes a share of rent in lower-cost towns.

  • It almost never pays tuition on its own. Plan for scholarships, family support, savings, or approved loans to fill the gap.

Taxes: what to expect

  • United States
    Most F-1 students who are nonresident aliens for tax purposes are exempt from FICA withholding on authorized student employment. You still file a federal tax return and may owe income tax.

  • United Kingdom
    Students are taxed like everyone else. If your earnings exceed allowances, you pay Income Tax and National Insurance. Double-taxation treaties can change your position, so check your residency status and country treaty. 

  • Canada
    You may need to file a Canadian tax return and you need a SIN or an individual tax number. Your liability depends on your residency status and income. 

  • Germany
    Many students work in mini-jobs or short contracts. Tax and social insurance depend on earnings and contract type. Always register properly and keep payslips. 

Keep every payslip, contract, and proof of tuition. These documents simplify tax filings and can unlock refunds or education credits.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Averaging hours across weeks when the rule does not allow it. Many countries count each week or fortnight strictly.

  • Double counting volunteer or unpaid hours as if they do not matter. In some countries they still count toward the weekly limit. 

  • Assuming campus jobs are always unlimited. Most countries cap on-campus hours during term. 

  • Working off campus without authorization in the US or outside permitted categories in other countries. This can risk your status immediately. 

How NAC Travel International helps you make it work

  • Rule clarity for your destination
    We summarize exact work-hour limits, vacation definitions, and placement rules for your university and visa type, so you never guess. 

  • A budget that does not rely on illegal hours
    We build a line-by-line budget using the legal cap and realistic wage ranges for your city, then plug gaps with scholarships or compliant funding options.

  • Campus-first job ideas that fit your timetable
    We suggest roles that students actually juggle with classes, like library desk, residence assistant, dining services lead, lab runner, IT helpdesk, invigilating, peer tutoring, and paid research support where allowed.

  • Tax and paperwork checklist
    Country-specific steps such as SIN or NI number, tax IDs, treaty notes, and filing calendars, with reminders so nothing slips. 

  • Exam-season plan
    We add buffers for midterms and finals, so your budget still holds when you must cut shifts.

Bottom line

Part-time work is a great supplement, not a full funding strategy. Know your legal hours, build a budget that survives quieter weeks, and keep your tax paperwork clean. NAC Travel International can turn those rules into a simple plan that fits your timetable and keeps your visa safe while you study.