Post-Study Work Rights Policies for International Students

One of the significant factors which international students consider for their decision-making regarding study destination is the stay-back period granted after their studies.

Hence many top study destinations have revised their post-study work rights policies. The latest update as of 2022 about the post-study work rights policies in different study destinations is discussed below. In addition, the work time limit while studying is also summarized for the benefit of students aspiring for an international qualification.

Post-Study Work Rights Policies in Different Study Destinations

Canada

Type of visa: Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Duration: Minimum 8 months to Maximum 3 years, according to qualification
Minimum academic requirement: Diploma or Certificate
Minimum study program period: 8 months
Study and work: International students, while studying in sessions in a Canadian institution between 15 November 2022 to 31 December 2023, have no restriction in their off-campus work hours provided they have permission to do so as per the study visa.

Note:
During the pandemic, international students pursuing their study program in Canada could complete their program from outside Canada and were eligible for PGWP. However, this is no longer applicable, and new regulations have been announced. They are as follows:

• International students who start their study program in Canada between 1 September 2022 – 31 September 2023 should finish a minimum of 50% of their program through online or in-class methods inside Canada. The time of PGWP is not reduced if the student has not been in Canada before 31 August 2023, provided no more than 50% of the study program has been covered.
• International Students who enroll in study programs after 31 August 2023 in Canadian institutions will not be able to consider any time spent outside Canada in their PGWP.

Read To Know : GROUNDS FOR REJECTING APPLICATIONS FOR CANADIAN STUDY VISAS AND SOLUTIONS

United Kingdom

Type of visa: UK Graduate Route
Duration: Bachelor’s and Master’s – 2 years; Ph.D. – 3 years
Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Minimum study program period: 1 year
Study and work: International students enrolled in full-time degree courses while studying in sessions can work 20 hours per week. Students can work full-time during official vacation. However, students pursuing part-time courses in the UK cannot undertake any work.

Read To Know : WHY STUDY IN UK? BENEFITS OF OPTING UK FOR STUDIES

Germany

Type of visa: Residence Permit
Duration: 18 months
Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Minimum study program period: 3 years
Work and study: Students from Non-EU countries can work while studying either for 240 half days or 120 full days in a year.

* Graduates can work in any field until they find full-time work in their field of study. A Residence Permit visa allows graduates who have a full-time job to apply for a 4-year EU Blue Card residence permit.

Italy

Type of visa: Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit)
Duration: 6 months – 1 year; a student who does not get employed within the period cannot stay in the country
Minimum academic requirement: Level 2 Master’s program
Work and study: Students can work 1040 hours a year.

Spain

Type of visa: Residence Permit
Duration: 1 year
Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Work and study: The work hour limit for international students while studying is 20 hours per week.

Ireland

Type of visa: Third Level Graduate Scheme
Duration: 1 – 2 years
Minimum academic requirement: Level 8 and Level 9/10
Minimum study program period: 1 year or two years, depending on the level of study.
Work and study: The work time limit for international students while studies are in session is 20 hours per week. From June-September and from 15 December to 15 January (inclusive), students are allowed to work 40 hours per week.

New Zealand

Type of visa: Post-study Work Visa
Duration of permission:1-3years
Minimum academic requirement:

• Degree Level 7 or above;
• Non-degree level 7 or below (must be on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa list).

Work and study: According to the level of study, the work time limit changes. International students can usually work up to 20 hours per week.

Study in New Zealand
Added Benefits:

• Partners of visa holders are eligible for a work visa;
• Visa holders need not pay tuition fees for their children studying in New Zealand

Finland

Type of visa: Residence Permit
Duration: 2 years
Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Work and study: International students can work part-time up to 30 hours per week while classes are in session and can work any number of hours in their official vacation time.

Japan

Type of visa: Designated Activities Visa
Duration: 1 year
Work and study: The work time limit for international students while studies are in session is 28 hours per week. However, they can work up to 8 hours/day during official vacation.

UAE

Type of visa: 5-year Long-Term Visa
Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree with a distinctive GPA of at least 3.75 upon graduation
Work and study: While studies are in session, international students can work up to 15 hours per week or 60 hours per month. Students can work 40 hours per week or 160 hours per month during the holidays.

France

Type of visa: Temporary Residence Permit
Duration: 1 year, which can be longer for citizens from certain countries
Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree
Minimum study program period: 3 years
Work and study: Students are permitted to work up to 964 hours per year.

Netherlands

Type of visa: Orientation Year Residence Permit
Duration: 1 year
Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Minimum study program period: 10 months
Work and study: Students outside the EU are permitted to work part-time for up to 16 hours per week. From June – August, they can take a permit and work full-time.

United States

Type of visa: Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Duration: 1 Year or up to 3 years for STEM students
Minimum academic requirement: Certificate
Minimum study program period: 1 year
Work and study: While studying, F1 students are allowed to:

• Subject to conditions work on campus during the first year
• Subject to conditions, work off-campus during the second year through Optional Practical Training (OPT), for 20 hours per week or less, or Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Students can only undertake work related to their field of study while choosing OPT or CPT.

*As per the new update in 2022, F1 students in 22 new fields of study are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) permission for three years post-graduation. J-1 students and students in STEM fields can stay back in the US for three years.

Australia

Type of visa: Temporary Graduate Work visa (subclass 485) (applicable to graduates from an Australian institution)
Duration: 2-4 years
Work and study: International students can work unlimited hours while studying until 30 June 2023.

* Temporary Graduate Work visa (subclass 485) is granted to students with degrees associated with identified workforce shortages.
Bachelor’s: 4 years
Master’s: 5 years
Ph.D.: 6 years

Read To Know : PNP IMMIGRATION OPTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN 2022

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