Part-time Job Guide for International Students

Why I said no to the job that would've gotten me deported

It was my second year. Money was tight. A restaurant owner offered me cash under the table — no paperwork, no taxes, just cash in hand every Friday.

It was double what I'd make at an on-campus job.

I said no. He looked at me like I was crazy.

Here's why I said no:

1. Working off-campus without authorization violates my visa status. If caught, my visa gets cancelled and I'm sent home.

2. The "no paperwork" thing means no legal protection. If he decided not to pay me, I had no recourse.

3. It sets a precedent for other violations. The more you break rules, the easier it is to keep breaking them.

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What you can actually do:

On-campus jobs:

Library assistant

Dining hall worker

Lab assistant

Research assistant (if your professor has funding)

Gym staff

Resident advisor (often free housing + stipend)

These are usually the safest options. They're pre-approved for international students and work around your class schedule.

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Off-campus (with proper authorization):

US — CPT and OPT:

CPT (Curricular Practical Training): For credit-bearing internships related to your field. Requires authorization before you start.

OPT (Optional Practical Training): For work after graduation. Also requires authorization.

UK — restrictions apply:

Up to 20 hours per week during term time

Cannot be self-employed or work as a professional entertainer

Certain visa types have different rules

Australia:

40 hours per fortnight (not per week)

No restrictions during official vacation periods

Must maintain enrollment and satisfactory progress

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Finding work:

Your school's career center (they exist for students, including international students)

On-campus job boards

Professor recommendations (they sometimes know about positions)

Official job sites (Indeed, LinkedIn, local job boards)

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A note on overtime

Your visa work limits are maximums, not targets. Working 20 hours while studying full-time is stressful. Make sure you can handle the load before adding a job.

I made this mistake. My grades suffered, I was exhausted all the time, and I ended up quitting anyway. It's not worth burning out.