Part-Time Jobs in Ireland for Nepali Students: Hours, Pay and Rules

Part-time work helps many Nepali students in Ireland with rent, food and transport. But there are clear rules on how much you can work, and breaking them can affect your immigration permission. Here is what you need to know before you look for a job.

How many hours can I work?

Full-time students on a course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) get Stamp 2 permission, which currently allows:

• Up to 20 hours per week during term time
• Up to 40 hours per week during the set holiday periods: 1 June to 30 September and 15 December to 15 January

The 20-hour limit is a weekly maximum, not an average. If you have two jobs, the combined hours still cannot exceed the limit. Students on some short or non-degree permissions (such as Stamp 2A) cannot work at all.

How much can I earn?

Ireland’s national minimum wage for adults is €14.15 per hour from 1 January 2026. It is reviewed every year, and many employers in Dublin pay more. At minimum wage, 20 hours a week is about €283 before tax.

That helps with day-to-day costs, but it is not enough to cover tuition, and you cannot count future earnings as visa funds. Ireland asks for proof of at least €10,000 per year for living costs before you arrive. Plan your budget with our cost of studying in Ireland guide.

What you need before your first shift

1. IRP card with Stamp 2: register with immigration after arrival.
2. PPS number (Personal Public Service Number): apply to the Department of Social Protection; you will need proof of address and an employment offer or reason for the number.
3. Irish bank account for your salary.
4. Revenue registration: register your job on Revenue’s myAccount so you get your tax credits. If you do not, you may pay emergency tax until it is sorted.

Common part-time jobs for students

• Retail: supermarkets, convenience stores, clothing shops
• Hospitality: cafés, restaurants, hotels, catering for events
• Warehouses and logistics: packing and stock work, especially before Christmas
• Healthcare support: some students work as healthcare assistants after completing the required training
• On-campus jobs: library, student services, events and research assistance

Students with IT, data or accounting skills sometimes find part-time roles related to their course, which also look good on a CV for Stamp 1G job hunting later.

Rules you must not break

• Do not work more than your permitted hours. Immigration can check your employment and tax records when you renew your permission.
• No self-employment on Stamp 2. Many food delivery roles are self-employed contracts, so check before you sign up.
• Attend your classes. Your permission depends on being a genuine full-time student with good attendance.
• Do not work cash-in-hand. You lose legal protection and it can cause problems with immigration and tax.

Your rights as a worker

Students have the same employment rights as other workers in Ireland: at least the minimum wage, a payslip, rest breaks (15 minutes after 4.5 hours and 30 minutes after 6 hours), paid annual leave and protection from unfair treatment. If an employer pays below minimum wage or refuses payslips, you can contact the Workplace Relations Commission.

Tips for finding a job faster

• Prepare a one-page Irish-style CV before you arrive.
• Apply in person in your area as well as online (Indeed, Jobs.ie, university job boards).
• Be flexible with weekend and evening shifts.
• Use the first month to settle in and find accommodation; most students find work within a few weeks to a few months.

Frequently asked questions

Can Nepali students work in Ireland while studying?

Yes. On Stamp 2 you can currently work up to 20 hours a week in term and up to 40 hours a week from 1 June to 30 September and from 15 December to 15 January.

Can I pay my tuition from part-time work?

Not realistically, and the visa does not allow it as a plan. You must show tuition paid or payable and living-cost funds before you travel. Part-time income helps with everyday expenses.

What happens after I graduate?

Eligible graduates can apply for Stamp 1G to work full time while looking for a graduate job: currently up to 12 months after a Level 8 degree and up to 24 months after a Level 9 master’s. Read our Stamp 1G guide.

Start your Ireland plan

Hub International Education specialises in studying in Ireland from Nepal. Book free counselling through our contact page and we will help you choose a course, plan your budget and prepare your visa.