A strong draw for many universities when trying to attract students would be the offer of a semester or a year studying abroad. Like most millennials in the generation before them, the current college-going Gen Z-ers seem to value the benefits of travel. Who wouldn’t want to experience new cultures and meet diverse people, while finishing up your degree? This is why studying abroad is such a popular choice.

Studying abroad? Awesome. Going broke because of it? Way less awesome.

That being said, the privilege of studying abroad is definitely a luxury. Most of us can barely afford basic college tuition, let alone the expenses of living in a different country on top of that! That’s why knowing how to make money while studying abroad is the best of both worlds. It allows you to comfortably make the most of your experience abroad without breaking the bank.

Working while studying abroad is also a great way to really immerse yourself in the local culture, as you will have first-hand experience of how people work there as well.

Can you work while studying abroad?

The short answer is—YES! However, there are a few factors to consider.

Most of it has to do with the legalities of it all. The main thing to verify is whether or not you are legally allowed to earn money while studying abroad in the country of your choosing. The last thing you want to do is break the laws of a country in which you are a guest!

Since this varies from country to country, and from nationality to nationality, your best bet is to research the terms of your student visa (or perhaps tourist visa) in your study abroad destination.

Here are some ways to find out if you are qualified to be working while studying abroad.

How to legally earn money while studying abroad

1. Make sure you have the right visa

A visa that allows you to legally work is essential.

Depending on the type of visa you have, you will be able to determine whether or not you can work when studying abroad. Here’s how:

Talk to the Embassy or Consulate

Call up the Embassy or Consulate of the country you’re going to well ahead of time (maybe even several months in advance) to talk to someone about whether or not you can earn money while studying in their country, and what kind of visa you would need for that.

Contact the School

Another source of information about whether or not you can earn money while studying abroad would be the school that you will be attending. Just like the Embassy, do reach out to them well ahead of time to discuss your options. Additionally, your program advisor at your home university or study abroad provider should be able to answer your questions about legal employment.

If the reason why you need to earn money while studying abroad is that you need to pay off your own tuition, your school might also have financial aid options for you. Or, you could potentially be an employee of the school as well, which we will talk about below.

2. Choose countries that offer more than just Student Visas

If you haven't decided on a program or destination yet, look out for countries that have the following types of Visas:

Working Holiday Visa

This is a visa that allows you to work and earn money while you’re abroad. Depending on your nationality, these are the countries in which you can apply for a Working Holiday Visa:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Korea

As Covid restrictions gradually relax around the world, more countries may likely be added to this list. If you’re interested in studying in one of the above countries, and you meet the requirements, it might be more helpful to apply for a Working Holiday Visa instead of a Student Visa. 

You really can’t go wrong with a working holiday visa.

A Student Visa tends to have more restrictions than a Working Holiday Visa, so talk to the embassies and schools involved to see if this could be an option for you.

Student Visas with Permission to Work

Depending on your country of choice, you may enter and live there under a student visa with permission to work. However, as previously mentioned, there are more restrictions. For example, here are the restrictions for international students who want to earn money in the UK:

Students on a student visa can do most kinds of work, but you must not:

• be self-employed
• engage in business activity
• fill a full-time permanent vacancy
• work as a professional sportsperson including as a sports coach, paid or unpaid
• work as an entertainer, paid or unpaid
• work as a doctor or dentist in training, unless you are on the foundation programme

These restrictions are typical to most types of student visas in Europe. As you can see, student visas can be quite restrictive for you if you want to earn money while you’re abroad. So make sure you have your bases covered as soon as possible!

3. Explore Work-To-Study options

If dealing with legal paperwork seems overwhelming to you, do consider various Work To Study or Study & Work options specifically designed for students who want to earn money while studying abroad. If your specialty of study is teaching, hospitality, or medicine, for example, many courses teach you the skills you need while providing the guidance to navigate employment in the respective countries.

For example, you can live in New Zealand while learning how to be a paid ski instructor and if you’re interested in the hospitality and culinary industry, you can work for a resort in Canada or earn money while you train as a cook. A great way to earn money abroad would be teaching English, so why not get your qualifications and work at the same time?

What kind of jobs can you get while studying abroad?

Remote work might be the ideal option for a study abroad student.

Now that you’ve got your paperwork sorted out, you need to decide on a job that allows you the flexibility to balance alongside your schoolwork. Remember, your priority in any study abroad program is—as the name mentions—to study.

Especially if you happen to be on a student visa, whether or not you can even stay in the country might depend on your performance in school. So make sure you manage your time and energy effectively!

Here are ways of getting a job while studying abroad:

1. Work on campus

As mentioned previously, many schools offer the chance to work as part of the school staff. While Student Visas can be restrictive regarding jobs off-campus, you can very well get a paid working experience within the campus. Such jobs include:

• School Tour Guide for Visitors and New Students
• Administrative Support
• Tech Support
• Working in the library
• Research Assistant

In most cases, your working hours are limited to about 20 hours per week, but you will be paid for those hours, and it’s a great way to earn money while studying abroad.

2. Freelancing

This is an ideal way to ensure you have the flexibility of time to also focus on your studies. Online platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are great ways for you to publicize your skills online and get contracted on a per-project basis to work at your own pace without compromising on your grades.

Another lucrative way to make money during your free time would be teaching English online. If you already have some experience, you can find jobs like this easily. If you’re not experienced, as mentioned before, you can get certified while working as an English teacher abroad.

3. Paid internships or job transfers abroad

If you already have working experience, or if you’re already currently employed, check if your company has branches and offices overseas where you can work while you’re abroad.

As long as you’re not replacing a local employee, you can continue your job from home in another country, which will be an amazingly immersive experience and a great way to make money while studying abroad.

4. Work Exchange

Although you might not technically be making cash money, you can offset your living costs by participating in Service Exchanges. This is where you work in exchange for accommodation and food provided. Such programs tend to be in the hospitality or agriculture industries, so this is a great way to also get real-world working experience and pad up that CV of yours for the future.

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Working while studying abroad might sound like a drag, but it’ll save you $$$

If working while studying abroad can help you travel, then don’t hesitate!

Traveling as a tourist is one thing, but traveling as a student who works and lives abroad is a whole other level of experience.

There are many ways to earn money and work while studying abroad. Even if you are covered financially, gaining work experience in foreign countries is definitely an invaluable experience. Furthermore, it will set you right up for success as you continue working in the future, even after your studies.

Consider spending time in countries with a vastly different culture to yours (especially in a country where English is not the spoken language) to get the most out of your work and study abroad experience.

If you are able to work abroad while studying in your host country, you can witness, learn, and be a part of cultural exchanges you would have never experienced back home. This is a great way to broaden your horizons and work together with local people abroad!

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