Share

Published date: 15th November 2022

When choosing a university to attend, a lot of potential international students research the laws around working rights. Here is a summary of post-study work rights policies, and we’ve also added information about working while studying in each destination given the high demand for this opportunity among international students right now. 

 

Work Permit Rights for International Students Abroad

 

1. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Australia

Visa type: Temporary Graduate Work visa (subclass 485) allows international students to work in Australia who have graduated with a degree from an Australian institution to. For a bachelor's degree, 4 years are allowed; for a master's degree, 5 years; and for a doctoral degree, 6 years.

Duration: International students are allowed to work in Australia for between 2 and 4 years, depending on their qualifications.

Working while studying: International students are allowed to work for an unlimited number of hours in any area of the Australian economy while studying until June 30, 2023.

To know more, check this out: Stay back and Work Permit after Study in Australia

2. Work Permit Rights for International Students in the United States

Visa type: Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Duration:  You are allowed to stay back in the USA for 1 year under the OPT. (up to 36 months for STEM students)

Minimum study time: 12 months

In 22 new fields of study, F-1 students now have a 3-year OPT permission after graduation. Additionally, J-1 students pursuing degrees and STEM graduates would be allowed to stay in the US for three years starting in 2022/23. The previous cap for J-1 students' employment allowance was 18 months.

Working while studying: Students on F-1 visas can work on-campus under specific conditions in their first year of studies, but not off-campus. Beginning in their second year, F-1 students can work off-campus through one of these programs: pre-completion Optional Practical Training (20 hours a week or less) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which can be full-time. For this students are required to maintain a full academic course while they complete their CPT. Both OPT and CPT program work must be related to the student’s study field.

Get full information here: Stay back and Work permit after Study in USA

3. Work Permit Rights for International Students in the United Kingdom

Visa type: UK Graduate Route. To obtain this Bachelor’s degree is Minimum credential required. You must study at least for 12 months in the UK.

Duration: 3 years for a doctorate and 24 months for a bachelor's or master's degree.

Working while studying: Students who are engaged in full-time degree-level programs are allowed to work in the UK for 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time during breaks. Studying part-time does not grant the ability to work in the UK.

Want to learn more about it? Check this: Stay back and Work Permit after Study in UK

4. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Canada

Visa type: Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Students will be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) only if they have pursued higher education from one of the DLI(Designated Learning Institutions )and want to stay in Canada temporarily to work.

Duration: International students are allowed to work in Canada between 8 to 36 months, depending on the qualification.

Current scenario: For a while during the pandemic, international students could complete their study program in full with a Canadian university from another country and still qualify for a PGWP. This is being phased out gradually, according to the following official guidance:

  • Between September 1, 2022, and September 31, 2023, students who begin their studies at a Canadian university must complete at least 50% of their program in Canada (online or in class). Before August 31, 2023, students who study abroad will no longer have that time counted against their PGWP as long as it makes up less than 50% of their program of study.
  • If students begin their Canadian study programs after August 31, 2023, Time spent studying overseas will not be allowed to credit toward a student's PGWP.

Working while studying: International students may work off-campus an unlimited number of hours while enrolled in courses between 15 November 2022 and 31 December 2023 if they have off-campus authorization on their Canadian study visa.

Get full information here: Stay back and Work permit after Study in Canada

5. Work Permit Rights for International Students in France

Visa type: Temporary Residence Permit allows international students to stay in France after the completion of their course to look for employment, on the condition that they have finished their bachelor’s/master’s degree from the Institute of France. Students can apply for a 4-year work permit once they obtain a job.

Duration: 12 months (longer for some nationalities)

Working while studying: While studying abroad in France, international students are allowed to work up to 964 hours a year on or off campus.

You can learn more about it: Stay back and Work Permit after Study in France

6. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Finland

Visa type: Residence Permit. It is for the students who are willing to stay back in Finland once their studies are over, and now looking to find a job in Finland. The international student must have completed at least a Bachelor's degree in Finland.

Duration: Two years

Working while studying: Up to 30 hours a week of a part-time job are allowed, but it must be in the student's area of study. Students are permitted to work as many hours as they like throughout the holidays.

Want to know more? Check this out: Stay back and Work permit after Study in Finland

7. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Germany

Visa type: Residence Permit. The Minimum credential required is a Bachelor's degree from a German University. With this permit, your sole aim should be to find a full-time job related to your field of study in Germany. 

Duration:  Germany provides you to stay up to 18 months on a Residence permit.

Minimum study time: 3 years

Working while studying: Non-EU international students can work while studying for 120 full days or 240 half days per year.

You can know more about it: Stay back and Work Permit after Study in Germany

8. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Ireland

Visa type: Third Level Graduate Scheme. If you do not belong to EU or EEA countries, the most important scheme provided by the Irish Government to stay back in Ireland is the Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission. It is for students who have completed their Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Ireland.

Graduates can use the Third Level Graduate Stream to look for employment or apply for a Green Card. Green Cards are awarded only when a job pays over €60,000 per year, is on a list of specified occupations, or pays more than €30,00 per year and will last at least 24 months.

Duration: Students who have graduated from any renowned universities in Ireland can stay back with this permission for up to 24 months in search of employment.

Working while studying: International students are permitted to work 20 hours per week while classes are in session and 40 hours per week from 15 December to 15 January and during June, July, August, and September.

Get more information here: Stay back and Work Permit after Study in Ireland

9. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Italy

Visa type: Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit). To stay back and find a job in Italy you will require to pursue a master's or Ph.D. degree. Bachelor's degree is not counted towards it.

Duration: Based on the course and university, the stay back is allowed for up to 6 to 12 months.

Working while studying: International Students can work up to 1,040 hours per year which is equal to 20 hours of part-time work per year.

Get full details here: Stay back and Work permit after Study in Italy

10. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Japan

Visa type: Designated Activities visa

Duration: 6 months. However, a maximum 1 year period will be granted if eligible individuals apply for the extension of the period of stay to the Regional Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice, before the 6 months of permitted stay is to expire.

Working while studying: During the academic year, students are permitted to work up to 28 hours per week and up to 8 hours per day during holidays.

11. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Netherlands

Visa type: Orientation Year Residence Permit. The students will require at least a Bachelor's degree earned from Dutch University. You should have a minimum study time of 10 months. Once students have obtained a job, they can stay in the Netherlands for as long as they have that job. They can also apply for a 4-year EU Blue Card residence permit.

Duration: It is valid for one year.

Working while studying: Non-EU students are permitted to work part-time throughout the academic year for up to 16 hours per week and full-time during the summer months of June, July, and August. You will require a Work permit for this.

Want to learn more about Netherlands rules? Visit: Stay back and Work permit after Study in Netherlands

12. Work Permit Rights for International Students in Spain

Visa type: Residence Permit. You will require at least a Bachelor's degree obtained for Spanish University.

Duration: 1 year

Working while studying: While studying in Spain, international students are allowed to work 20 hours a week.

13. Work Permit Rights for International Students in UAE

Visa type: 5-year long-term visa. The Minimum credential required is Bachelor’s degree. This visa allows “outstanding” graduates to find work, obtain work permits, and establish permanent residence in the UAE. To qualify for the visa, students must graduate with a distinction GPA of at least 3.75.

Working while studying: During classes, students may work up to 15 hours per week or 60 hours per month. During the summer, students are allowed to work up to 160 hours per month, or 40 hours per week.

14. Work Permit Rights for International Students in New Zealand

Visa type: Post-study Work Visa. You need to study for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand to obtain it.

Duration: 12 to 36 months

Working while studying: Rules differ according to the level of study, but typically, students can work up to 20 hours per work during their classes.

Get full details: Stay back and Work permit after Study In New Zealand

Final Words:

There are many opportunities to work abroad while you study and, like anywhere in the world, it's important to do plenty of research before committing yourself. Make sure you know your rights and understand the different types of permits you would require before applying - it could save you time and money.

Read also:

How to Pick a Study Abroad Destination
Worlds Top Universities for Employment
How to Plan for Study Abroad - Step by Step Guide

Twinkle
About the Author:

Twinkle is an active listener and observer. She has a boundless curiosity to improvise her all-round knowledge. She is always open about her thoughts and her personality is filled with thirst for acquiring knowledge about different fields. Her favourite pastime is to pen down her thoughts and knowledge. Her strength is the simplicity of language yet being artistic.

Categories: Study Abroad

Tags: Study Abroad

Apply Now!