International students in New Zealand can now work for longer hours as the government’s revised student visa work rights officially took effect on November 3, 2025. Under the new regulations, eligible students are now permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during the academic term, an increase from the previous 20-hour limit. The increased work hours aims to support the sustainable expansion of New Zealand’s education sector, attract more overseas learners, and help students manage rising living costs.

According to Immigration New Zealand, the broader work rights will allow international students to gain more work experience while maintaining their study commitments. The changes apply to all new student visas granted from November 3, including applications submitted before that date. Students currently holding a visa limited to 20 hours per week can apply for a Variation of Conditions or a new visa to access the extended work rights.

The existing provisions for full-time work during scheduled breaks remain unchanged. However, for secondary school students in years 12 and 13, parental and school permission will still be required for in-study employment, now extended to the 25-hour weekly limit.

The updated policy also extends in-study work rights to all tertiary students enrolled in approved exchange or Study Abroad programs, including those in one-semester courses. In addition, dependent child visitor visa holders and Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa holders can now work up to 25 hours weekly, up from 20 hours previously.

Officials stated that the new rules are designed to “keep education standards high, manage immigration risks, and strengthen the international education sector.”

Students wishing to benefit from the new work-hour limit must apply through Immigration Online or by submitting the INZ 1020 Variation of Conditions form, depending on when their current visa was issued. The application fee is NZ$325.

Applicants whose visas were issued before August 18, 2025, can use the earlier system, while those with newer visas must apply through the enhanced Immigration Online platform. Immigration New Zealand clarified that visa holders changing their education provider or lowering their level of study will generally need to apply for a new student visa, except in cases where the change occurs due to circumstances beyond their control, such as an institution closure.

Official data shows that New Zealand currently has 40,987 student visa holders with in-study work rights, nearly 30,000 of whom have visas expiring by March 2026. This means a large proportion of international students could benefit from the new policy during the current academic cycle.

Authorities expect the expanded work rights to make New Zealand a more appealing study destination and help support students facing increasing living expenses. Further changes under the International Education Growth Plan are also being considered, including the introduction of a short-term work visa for vocational graduates and streamlined visa processes to enhance the overall study experience.