For many Bangladeshi families, the chance to earn while studying is a big part of the decision to go abroad. A part-time job for international students can pay a good share of rent, food and transport — but the rules on hours are strict, and the money is smaller than many agents suggest. This guide sets out the work hours, typical pay and post-study work options country by country, with an honest view of what part-time work can and cannot pay for.
Quick answer: Most countries let international students work about 20–25 hours a week during term and full-time in official breaks: 20 in the UK, Ireland and the USA (on campus), 24 in Canada, 25 in New Zealand and 48 a fortnight in Australia. Part-time wages help with living costs, but never plan to pay tuition from them.
Part-time job rules for international students by country
The work rules below come from each government’s own pages, checked in September 2026. Minimum wages change every year — usually in April, July or January depending on the country — so treat the pay column as a rough guide at the time of writing (November 2026) and check the current official rate before you budget.
| Country | During term | During breaks | Typical minimum pay | Post-study work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Up to 20 hours a week (degree level at a university) | Full-time in official vacations | Over £12 an hour for workers aged 21 and over — check the current rate | Graduate visa: 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026; 18 months from January 2027 |
| Australia | Up to 48 hours a fortnight | Unlimited in scheduled breaks | Around AUD 25 an hour, more for casual work — check the current rate | Usually 2 years (subclass 485) |
| Canada | Up to 24 hours a week off campus | Full-time in scheduled breaks | Set by each province, roughly CAD 15–18 an hour — check your province | Up to 3 years (PGWP) |
| Ireland | Up to 20 hours a week | 40 hours a week, June–September and 15 December–15 January | Over €13 an hour for adults — check the current rate | Up to 2 years (Stamp 1G) |
| New Zealand | Up to 25 hours a week (visas approved from 3 November 2025) | Full-time in scheduled holidays | Over NZD 23 an hour — check the current rate | Up to 3 years (Post Study Work Visa) |
| USA | Up to 20 hours a week, on campus only | Full-time on campus in official breaks | Varies by state — check the current minimum wage | 12 months OPT; up to 36 for STEM |
| Malaysia | Not allowed | Only in breaks longer than seven days, up to 20 hours a week, with Immigration approval | Check the current minimum wage | No graduate pass for Bangladeshi nationals |
What the rules mean, country by country
Part-time job in the UK for international students
Students on a degree course at a university can work up to 20 hours a week in term; courses below degree level are limited to 10. You can work full-time in official vacations, but you cannot be self-employed — which rules out most gig delivery apps — or fill a permanent full-time post. Your exact limit is printed on your visa documents. The official rules are on GOV.UK’s Student visa page, and our UK study guide covers the rest.
Part-time job in Australia for students
Australia counts hours per fortnight: 48 hours across any two-week period while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Casual jobs usually pay a higher hourly rate to make up for no paid leave. See the Australia guide.
Part-time job in Canada for international students
Canada allows up to 24 hours a week off campus during term and full-time during breaks your institution has scheduled. Many Canadian programmes also include paid co-op terms, which are part of the course rather than part-time work. More on the Canada guide.
Ireland, New Zealand, the USA and Malaysia
Ireland gives 20 hours in term and 40 in set holiday periods. New Zealand raised its limit to 25 hours a week for visas approved from 3 November 2025. In the USA, F-1 students can work only on campus — library, dining hall, research or teaching assistant roles — unless off-campus work is approved through CPT. Malaysia is the strictest: no work during the semester at all, and working in term or in an unapproved job leads to cancellation of the Student Pass.
How much can you realistically earn?
Here is an honest example. Suppose you study outside London in the UK and find a steady 20 hours a week at around £12 an hour. That is roughly £240 a week before tax and deductions — about £1,000 a month in term. The UK’s own visa figure for living costs outside London is £1,171 a month, so even a full 20 hours covers most, but not all, of a modest life.
Now compare that with tuition. A UK master’s costs about £12,000–30,000 for the year — at roughly ৳160 to the pound, that is around ৳19 lakh or more. No part-time job can pay that.
Keep three realities in mind:
- Finding work takes time. Many students need one to three months to land a first job, and the first semester is when your money is tightest.
- Hours are not guaranteed. Shops and restaurants cut shifts in quiet months.
- Your studies come first. Failing modules because you worked too much can end your course — and your visa.
Important: Visa officers judge your funds without counting part-time income. You must show the full tuition and living-cost amount from savings, a sponsor or a loan. Our guide to bank solvency for a student visa explains what to show, and our education loan guide covers borrowing.
Common part-time jobs for international students
- Retail: supermarkets, clothing shops and convenience stores.
- Hospitality: restaurants, cafés, hotels and catering — the most common first job.
- Warehouse and logistics: picking and packing, often with evening or weekend shifts.
- On-campus jobs: library assistant, student ambassador, IT help desk, events and catering.
- Tutoring: maths, science or languages, through the university or agencies.
- Care and support work: common in the UK and Australia, though it usually needs training and checks.
Later in your course, look for paid internships and work related to your subject. They pay better and count far more on your CV than another year of shifts.
How to find a part-time job abroad
- Prepare a local-style CV — one or two pages, no photo, focused on skills and availability.
- Use your university’s careers service and job board. On-campus roles are posted there first.
- Apply in person at shops and restaurants near campus, especially before busy seasons.
- Get your tax number early: a National Insurance number in the UK, a Tax File Number in Australia, a Social Insurance Number in Canada, a PPS number in Ireland, an IRD number in New Zealand or a Social Security number for on-campus work in the USA.
- Open a local bank account so you can be paid — see our student banking guide.
Beware of cash-in-hand jobs that pay below minimum wage or ask you to work beyond your limit. They leave you with no protection and no record of your hours.
Breaking work-hour rules can cancel your visa
Work limits are a condition of your visa, not a suggestion. Working even a few hours over the limit, working during term in Malaysia, or taking a job type your visa doesn’t allow can lead to your visa being cancelled, removal from the country and refusals on future applications. Payroll and tax records make your hours easy for immigration authorities to check, even years later. Keep your own record of every shift.
Post-study work visa: the bigger prize
Part-time work pays bills; post-study work builds careers. After graduating you can stay and work full-time on a post-study work visa: up to three years in Canada and New Zealand, usually two years in Australia, up to two years in Ireland, two years in the UK if you apply by 31 December 2026 (18 months after that), and 12 months of OPT in the USA with up to 36 for STEM graduates. Malaysia currently has no graduate pass for Bangladeshi nationals. Compare all seven on our study destinations pages.
Frequently asked questions
Can international students work full-time?
Only during official breaks and holidays in most countries. During term, limits range from 20 to 25 hours a week, or 48 hours a fortnight in Australia.
Which country is best for part-time jobs for Bangladeshi students?
Australia and New Zealand allow the most hours during term, and Australian wages are relatively high. But living costs are high too, so look at earnings and costs together.
Can I pay my tuition fees from a part-time job?
No. Part-time income covers part of your living costs at best. You must show full funds for the visa, and tuition must come from savings, a sponsor, a scholarship or a loan.
Is it easy to find a part-time job as an international student?
It depends on the city, the season and your English. Bigger cities have more jobs but more competition. Most students find something within a few months.
Does part-time work help me get a post-study work visa?
Not directly. Post-study work visas depend on your qualification and, in some countries, your English score — not on part-time work. Breaking work rules, though, can cost you the chance entirely.
Plan your budget with us
We’ll help you build an honest budget — tuition, living costs and how much part-time work can realistically add — before you commit. Counselling is free at our Lalmatia, Dhaka office, or by phone or WhatsApp from anywhere in Bangladesh, whether you’re in Dhaka, Rajshahi or Rangpur. Contact Khan Eduway to start.
