Starting November 3, 2025, international students in New Zealand will be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during the academic year — a 5-hour increase from the current 20-hour limit.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has confirmed that this updated policy applies to all student visas granted from November 3 onwards. Students who are already on visas issued before this date will need to apply for a change in visa conditions or submit a new application if they wish to access the extended work rights. This process will also involve paying the standard immigration fees.
For secondary school students in Years 12 and 13, work permissions will still require approval from both parents and the school, even with the new 25-hour allowance.
This change is a part of the government’s “International Education Going for Growth Plan”, which was unveiled on Monday. The strategic initiative aims to boost the value of the international education sector to NZ$7.2 billion (US$4.3 billion) annually by 2034. To reach this goal, New Zealand plans to increase its international student intake from 83,700 in 2024 to 119,000 within the next decade.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said the country has seen consistent growth in overseas enrolments since 2023. “Our goal is to accelerate that momentum,” she told Reuters. In the short term, Education New Zealand will target high-potential regions to attract more students.
As of now, 40,987 international students hold visas with work rights. Out of these, 29,790 visas are set to expire by March 31, 2026, while the remaining 11,197 will stay valid beyond that date.
Alongside the extended work hours, the government has also broadened work eligibility for students participating in exchange or short-term university programs, including single-semester courses. However, those who switch to a different school or downgrade to a lower-level course will need to apply for a new study visa.
In recent updates, the cost of applying for a student visa has increased significantly. Since October 2024, the application fee has doubled from NZ$375 to NZ$750. Similarly, the fee for a post-study work visa has jumped from NZ$700 to NZ$1,670.
New Zealand welcomed 74,990 international students in 2024 — a decrease from its peak of 125,410 students in 2016, according to Ministry of Education statistics published by the NZ Herald. However, numbers are beginning to rise again, with 45,590 students projected to be enrolled in 2024.
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