Can I Study Part-Time on a Student Visa?

 When it comes to studying part-time on a student visa, the rules and regulations vary depending on the country issuing the visa and the type of course or program you are enrolled in. While student visas generally allow you to study full-time, there are specific scenarios where studying part-time may be allowed under certain conditions.

In this blog, we’ll explore the regulations surrounding part-time study for student visa holders in popular study destinations.

1. United States (F-1 Visa)

For students holding an F-1 visa in the U.S., the rules regarding part-time study are quite specific:

• Full-Time Study Requirement: The F-1 visa is designed for students who are pursuing a full-time academic program. Full-time study is typically defined as taking at least 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students or 9 credit hours per semester for graduate students.

• Part-Time Study Conditions:

  • During Regular Terms: Generally, F-1 visa holders are required to be enrolled as full-time students. If you want to study part-time during the academic year, this is not typically allowed unless you have a valid reason, such as medical or academic difficulties, which must be approved by your Designated School Official (DSO).

  • During Breaks or Vacations: You are permitted to study part-time or even full-time during school breaks, such as summer vacation, without affecting your visa status.

  • Online Courses: F-1 visa students can only take a limited number of online courses while maintaining full-time status. As of recent regulations, no more than one online class or 3 credits can be taken per semester to comply with the full-time study requirement.

• Work Limitations: F-1 students are not allowed to work off-campus unless they have proper authorization (such as Optional Practical Training - OPT). On-campus work is generally allowed for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and full-time during school breaks.

2. United Kingdom (Tier 4 Student Visa)

In the UK, the Tier 4 student visa also comes with specific rules regarding part-time study:

• Full-Time Study Requirement: Like the U.S., the Tier 4 visa is typically issued for full-time students. Full-time study is usually defined as a program that involves at least 15 hours of teaching per week.

• Part-Time Study Conditions:

  • During the Term: If you hold a Tier 4 visa, you are generally required to study full-time. However, there are some exceptions, such as if you are pursuing a part-time postgraduate program. For undergraduate students, part-time study during the academic term is not permitted.

  • During Holidays and Breaks: You can study part-time during holidays or breaks without affecting your visa status.

  • Online Study: Students holding a Tier 4 visa can take part-time or online courses, but these must not interfere with the conditions of the visa. The program must still meet the requirements of full-time study during the academic term.

• Work Limitations: If you are studying at the undergraduate level or below, you are not allowed to work full-time during term-time. You can work up to 20 hours per week during the term and full-time during holidays. Master’s and PhD students are typically allowed to work full-time during their course.

3. Canada (Study Permit)

In Canada, a study permit generally allows students to pursue full-time study at a recognized educational institution. However, there are some allowances for part-time study:

• Full-Time Study Requirement: If you are enrolled in a program that requires you to be a full-time student, the study permit is contingent on you maintaining full-time enrollment. Typically, full-time means taking a minimum of 60% of the full-time course load.

• Part-Time Study Conditions:

  • During Breaks or Holidays: You are allowed to study part-time during scheduled breaks in your program, such as summer vacation or winter holidays.

  • If You Need to Study Part-Time: You may study part-time in certain situations, such as if your academic institution approves it due to personal reasons, medical conditions, or if you are in the final semester of your program and only need to complete a few credits.

  • Online Courses: The Canadian government allows international students to take online courses. However, international students on a study permit must be attending a full-time program and not exceed the allowed number of online courses per semester.

• Work Limitations: Canada also allows students to work while studying on a study permit. Part-time work is allowed up to 20 hours per week during academic terms and full-time during holidays and school breaks.

4. Australia (Student Visa Subclass 500)

For students in Australia, the Student Visa Subclass 500 is the main visa for international students:

• Full-Time Study Requirement: Student visa holders must generally be enrolled in a full-time course of study. The Australian Department of Home Affairs defines full-time study as a program where the student is expected to be engaged in a minimum number of hours of study per week (usually 20-25 hours per week for most courses).

• Part-Time Study Conditions:

  • During the Academic Term: If you are enrolled in a full-time program, you are expected to study full-time, and part-time study is generally not permitted unless there are special circumstances (such as medical reasons). However, the Australian Government does allow some flexibility for students who need to reduce their study load temporarily.

  • During Holidays and Breaks: You are allowed to study part-time during scheduled breaks or vacations, which are typically part of your course calendar.

• Work Limitations: International students with an Australian student visa can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during the academic term and full-time during school holidays. However, working more than the allotted hours may affect your visa status.

5. New Zealand (Student Visa)

In New Zealand, student visa holders are generally required to study full-time:

• Full-Time Study Requirement: Full-time study means that you are attending your course as required by your educational provider, which typically includes at least 20 hours of scheduled study per week for undergraduate courses.

• Part-Time Study Conditions:

  • During the Term: In New Zealand, part-time study is not allowed during the academic term if you are enrolled as a full-time student.

  • During Breaks: You may study part-time during the holidays or vacation periods, provided you comply with the conditions of your visa.

• Work Limitations: You can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while studying, but this is only applicable if you’re enrolled in a full-time program that lasts more than 12 months. During the summer holidays, you can work full-time.

6. Germany (Student Visa)

Germany’s student visa generally requires students to pursue full-time studies at a recognized university:

• Full-Time Study Requirement: To maintain your student visa, you must study full-time and attend classes regularly, which is typically a minimum of 15 hours of study per week.

• Part-Time Study Conditions:

  • During the Term: If you are enrolled full-time, part-time study is not generally allowed during the academic term unless specific exemptions apply. Part-time study might be allowed in specific circumstances, such as if you are nearing completion of your program.

  • During Holidays: Part-time study is generally allowed during school breaks.

• Work Limitations: German student visa holders can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year. Working more than the allowed amount may impact your visa status.

Conclusion

While most countries require students to study full-time on a student visa, there are exceptions and allowances for part-time study, especially during breaks or under special circumstances. If you are considering studying part-time while holding a student visa, it's crucial to check the specific regulations of the country you are studying in and consult with the relevant immigration authorities or your educational institution to ensure that you are in compliance with visa rules.

Always remember that failing to comply with visa conditions, such as studying part-time when not permitted, can result in penalties or even visa cancellation.