Work-hour limits at a glance
| Country | Term-time limit | Break periods |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 20 hrs/week (degree-level); 10 hrs (below-degree) | Unlimited |
| United States | 20 hrs/week (on-campus, CPT, or OPT combined) | Full-time allowed |
| Australia | 48 hrs/fortnight (all jobs combined) | Unlimited |
| Singapore | 16 hrs/week | Unlimited |
| Germany | 140 full days or 280 half-days per year | Included in annual allowance |
United Kingdom
Students on degree-level Student Route visas can work up to 20 hours per week during term time; below-degree courses are capped at 10 hours. This is assessed strictly Monday to Sunday, across every job combined, and hours cannot be averaged across weeks — working 30 hours one week and 10 the next still counts as a breach in that first week, according to UK guidance. Term time is defined by the institution, not the employer, and dissertation or write-up periods don't automatically count as vacation.
United States
F-1 students are capped at 20 hours per week combined across on-campus employment, part-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), while school is in session. Full-time work is allowed once school is out of session, such as during official academic breaks. Working full-time CPT for 12 months or more removes eligibility for OPT entirely, so students often stay within the part-time CPT threshold deliberately.
Australia
The cap is 48 hours per fortnight (a 14-day period) during term, applied across all jobs combined rather than reset weekly. Work that's a mandatory, assessed part of the course, such as a clinical placement, doesn't count toward this limit. Hours are unlimited during official course breaks. A proposal to raise the cap to 60 hours per fortnight from mid-2026 has circulated but is not yet confirmed or in force.
Australia's fortnight cap gives more scheduling flexibility than a strict weekly limit — you can work 30 hours one week and 18 the next, as long as the fortnight total stays at or under 48.
Singapore
Student Pass holders can work up to 16 hours per week during term time, with no cap during vacation periods, according to Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Eligibility isn't automatic: the institution must be MOE- or CPE-registered and must have MOM approval specifically for its students to work part-time.
Germany (Europe)
Germany uses an annual allowance rather than a weekly or fortnightly cap: 140 full days (shifts over 4 hours) or 280 half-days (4 hours or under) per calendar year, which averages out to roughly 20 hours a week if spread evenly, though most students bank hours during breaks and work less during term. On-campus roles, such as research or library assistant jobs, don't count against this annual limit at all.
Key takeaways
- UK: 20 hrs/week term time (10 for below-degree), strict weekly measurement, no averaging.
- US: 20 hrs/week combined across on-campus, CPT, and OPT while school is in session.
- Australia: 48 hrs/fortnight across all jobs, unlimited during breaks.
- Singapore: strictest at 16 hrs/week, and requires specific institutional approval.
- Germany: annual 140/280-day allowance instead of a weekly cap; on-campus jobs exempt.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours can I work on a UK student visa?
Up to 20 hours per week during term time for degree-level courses, or 10 hours per week for below-degree courses, according to GOV.UK. This is assessed strictly Monday to Sunday and cannot be averaged across weeks.
How many hours can I work on an Australian student visa?
Up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time, with unlimited hours during official course breaks. The 48-hour cap applies across all jobs combined, not per employer.
How many hours can I work on a US F-1 visa?
Up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, whether through on-campus employment, part-time CPT, or pre-completion OPT. Full-time work is permitted when school is not in session, such as during official breaks.
How many hours can I work on a Singapore Student Pass?
Up to 16 hours per week during term time, with no restriction during vacation periods, according to ICA. Not all Student Pass holders are automatically eligible — the institution must have MOM approval for its students to work part-time.
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Sources & further reading
- Student visa: Overview (official) — GOV.UK
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students (official) — USCIS
- Study and work (official) — Make it in Germany, Federal Government of Germany