The New Zealand government has introduced a raft of immigration changes within its International Education Going for Growth Plan, launched in July 2025. The programme focuses on ensuring sustainable growth in the international education sector by improving work outcomes for students and simplifying the visa application process.
International students allowed 25 weekly work hours
Perhaps the most significant of these updates pertains to the increase in the number of permitted work hours for international students. For instance, qualified tertiary and secondary school students will be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during their academic term, up from the previously set limit of 20 hours, effective November 3, 2025.
The new rule affects all student visas approved from November 3 onwards, even if applications were submitted prior to that date. Students who already hold visas with a 20-hour limit but wish to take advantage of the new allowance will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa.
Most existing student visas already allow full-time work during summer and scheduled breaks, but those wishing to continue working the additional five hours per week after summer will have to apply once their current visa remains valid. For school students in Years 12 and 13, parental and school consent will still be required to engage in part-time work, even with the increased limit.
40,000 students are eligible for extended work rights
According to Immigration New Zealand, there are currently 40,987 international students holding visas that permit them to work while studying. Of these, 29,790 visas will expire by March 31, 2026, while 11,197 remain valid beyond that date.
Officials note that not every student is expected to apply for the extra five hours immediately; some may choose to wait until their next visa renewal, while others may be nearing the completion of their studies.
The government has also extended in-study work rights to all tertiary students enrolled in approved exchange or study abroad programmes, including short-term courses lasting a single semester. This move is intended to make New Zealand’s universities and colleges more appealing to international students seeking shorter academic experiences.
Indian students welcome the move
For many Indian students currently studying in New Zealand, the new rules are being met with optimism and relief.
“New Zealand is beautiful, but it’s also expensive. Those extra five hours a week mean we can earn a bit more to cover rent and groceries without feeling like we’re constantly counting every dollar,” said Riya Sharma, a master’s student in business analytics at the University of Auckland.
Harshit Patel, an engineering student at Victoria University of Wellington, added, “Many of us balance coursework with part-time jobs in cafés, labs, or retail. Increasing the limit to 25 hours shows the government understands our challenges and values the contribution we make to the economy.”
Others view the decision as a way for New Zealand to remain competitive in the global education market.
“This move helps New Zealand stay attractive for international students like me. It’s not just about money; it’s about feeling supported and having options,” said Ananya Banerjee, who is pursuing a postgraduate diploma in IT at AUT.
Students in short-term or exchange programmes have also welcomed the extension of in-study work rights. “Before this, students in one-semester programmes didn’t always have work rights. Now we can gain local experience even in a single semester; that’s a big plus for our CVs,” said Siddharth, another student at the University of Otago.
However, some pointed out the financial and administrative hurdles involved.
“Applying for a variation of conditions costs NZD $325, which is quite high for students already budgeting tightly,” noted Aisha Kumar, a student in Hamilton. “It would have been better if the new allowance applied automatically to all valid visas.”
New requirements and application process
In addition, a key clarification has been made for students who change their education provider or move to a lower level of study, such as transferring from a degree to a diploma course. In most cases, these students will now be required to apply for a new student visa, rather than just requesting a variation of conditions. Exceptions will only apply in limited circumstances, such as when an education provider closes down unexpectedly.
Further, dependent child visitor visa holders and individuals on Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visas will also benefit from the policy update, with their part-time work limit raised from 20 to 25 hours per week.
How to apply for Increased work hours
Students wishing to take advantage of the new work allowance can apply through Immigration New Zealand’s online system by submitting a variation of conditions application, which carries a fee of NZD $325. Processing times will depend on when the current visa was issued and the completeness of each application.
The International Education Going for Growth Plan signals New Zealand’s commitment to rebuilding and growing its education industry after years of global disruption. The new visa pathways under consideration include a short-term work visa for vocational graduates and simplified processing of international students’ applications, both awaiting Cabinet approval.
Officials have emphasised that these measures are designed to balance opportunity with responsibility, ensuring a valuable work experience for international students while maintaining strong immigration integrity.
For full details, students can visit the official website of the Ministry of Education’s International Education, Going for Growth initiative.