Announcement
Upcoming changes to student visa work rights
Published
14 July 2025
On Monday 14 July 2025, the Government announced the International Education Going for Growth Plan.
As part of this plan, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is changing some immigration rules to help the country grow in a sustainable way, attract more international students, keep education standards high, and manage immigration risks.
In November 2025, INZ will be:
- increasing the number of hours eligible students can work while holding a student visa, from 20 to 25 hours a week
- extending eligibility for in-study work rights to all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes, including 1-semester courses
- clarifying that if you change your education provider or lower your level of study, you will need to apply for a new student visa, not just a variation of conditions.
Learn more about the International Education Going for Growth Plan on the Ministry of Education website:
International education — Ministry of Education
Increased in-study work hours
From 3 November 2025, eligible tertiary and secondary school students will be allowed to work up to 25 hours a week during the semester – an increase from the current 20-hour limit. This will apply to all new student visas granted from that date, even if the application was submitted earlier.
If you already have a student visa with a 20-hour work limit and want to work up to 25 hours, you will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa. The relevant immigrations fees will apply.
Many student visas already allow full-time work during summer and other scheduled breaks. If your visa includes this, you might not need to apply for the extra 5 hours right away. You can choose to apply for the variation of conditions after summer, if your visa is still valid.
School students in years 12 and 13 require parental and school permission for 20 hours in-study work rights during the year. This permission will still be a requirement with the increase to 25 hours a week.
There are currently 40,987 student visa holders with in-study work rights. Of these, 29,790 visas are set to expire on or before 31 March 2026, while 11,197 will expire after that date.
Not all visa holders are expected to apply for the additional 5 hours of work rights. Some may choose to wait until their next visa application to include the change, rather than pay to vary their current visa conditions. Others may be nearing the end of their studies and therefore unlikely to apply for the extra work hours.
More changes coming
Subject to Cabinet agreement, INZ is exploring further changes, including a new short-term work visa for some vocational graduates and streamlined visa processes.
More information will be shared as it becomes available.