"Side hustles for students" comes with "online", "under 18", "reddit" and a dozen countries. Here are twelve that fit around classes, with pay, and the two rules that matter: age and visa.
| Pays | Fits because | |
|---|---|---|
| Tutoring | $20 to $60 an hour | You just passed the class |
| Campus jobs | Hourly, reliable | Visa-safe, on your way to class |
| Local Friend (18+) | Your rate, $15 to $50 an hour typical; no commission | Visitors want a student's version of the city; you set the hours |
| Event shifts | Above minimum | Weekends and evenings |
| Reselling | Per sale | Between classes |
| Note-taking | Per course | Through the disability office |
| Freelance writing, design, coding | Per project | Builds the portfolio |
| Pet sitting | $15 to $30 a walk | Mornings |
| Paid language practice | $10 to $30 an hour | If you are a native speaker of anything |
| Research studies | Per session | Psychology departments pay |
| Delivery | Near minimum after costs | A bike is enough in cities |
| Moving help | $20 to $40 an hour cash | Weekends |
Under 18#
Tutoring younger students, pet sitting, reselling, yard work, babysitting, some retail with a work permit. Not Local Friend or any companionship platform: 18 or over, no exceptions.
International students#
The rule that costs people their visa: on a US F-1, on-campus work is usually fine, off-campus work needs authorisation, and self-employment income, which includes freelance platforms and Local Friend bookings, is generally not permitted without it. Other countries differ. Ask your international office before any of it; a page on the internet is not authorisation.
The one where you set the rate#
Local Friend on Roavi (disclosure: our platform): you list free, set an hourly rate (most list $15 to $50; New York, San Francisco and Tokyo at the top), and visitors or newcomers to your city message you free to spend a few hours with you, platonic and in public: food, a game, a neighbourhood, a first weekend. You are paid directly and Roavi takes no commission. A person reviews your profile (18+, verified email, three real photos) before it goes live. Volume depends on your city: strong in Santo Domingo, Medellín, Bogotá, Mexico City, Buenos Aires and New York, thin in most other US cities today. In university cities visited by tourists or by other students' families, a student profile ("I will show you the campus and the real neighbourhood") is a specific one, and specific profiles get booked.
Your rate, your hours, no commission, no membership between you and the people who message.
Become a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
What are the best side hustles for students?
Tutoring (the best pay per hour with a subject), campus jobs (reliable and visa-safe), Local Friend on Roavi for students 18 and over in visited cities (your rate, no commission), event shifts, reselling, note-taking, freelance writing or design, pet sitting, paid language practice, research studies, and delivery or moving help.Can international students do side hustles?
Carefully. On a US F-1 visa, on-campus work is usually allowed, off-campus work needs authorisation, and self-employment income (which includes freelance platforms and Local Friend bookings) is generally not permitted without it. Ask your international office before any of it; the rules differ by country.Can under-18s do side hustles?
Many: tutoring younger students, pet sitting, reselling, yard work, babysitting, some retail with a permit. Not Local Friend or any companionship platform, which require 18 or over.