New Zealand Raises Student Work Hour Limit to 25: What International Students Need to Know
New Zealand has rolled out a set of major immigration updates that bring good news to international students. As part of the International Education Going for Growth Plan—a long-term strategy introduced in July 2025—the government aims to strengthen international education, attract more learners from abroad, preserve academic standards, and maintain robust immigration controls.
Among the most talked-about changes is the increase in weekly work rights for student visa holders.
25 Hours of Work per Week Now Allowed
Starting November 3, eligible tertiary and secondary students will be able to work up to 25 hours each week during term time. This marks a significant rise from the previous limit of 20 hours.
The updated allowance will automatically apply to all new student visas issued on or after November 3, even if applications were submitted earlier.
However, students who already hold visas capped at 20 hours will need to:
Apply for a variation of conditions, or
Submit a fresh student visa application
if they want to take advantage of the new 25-hour limit.
Many student visas already grant full-time work rights during scheduled holidays and the summer break. Those whose visas remain valid beyond the summer may opt to apply for the extra five hours as well.
For Year 12 and 13 school students, parental and school permission is still required to work while studying, regardless of the increased weekly limit.
How Many Students Are Affected?
There are currently 40,987 student visa holders with work rights in New Zealand.
Of these:
29,790 visas expire on or before March 31, 2026
11,197 expire after that date
Officials anticipate that not all students will apply for the increased hours immediately—some are nearing the end of their studies, while others may choose to wait until their next visa renewal.
Additional Policy Changes You Should Know About
- Work Rights Extended to Exchange Students
All tertiary students enrolled in approved exchange or study-abroad programmes, including one-semester options, can now work while studying. This enhancement is designed to make New Zealand’s higher education sector more appealing to international participants.
- New Rules for Changing Courses or Institutions
Students planning to:
Switch to a different education provider, or
Downgrade their qualification level (e.g., from a bachelor’s degree to a diploma)
will generally need to apply for a new student visa, not just a variation of conditions.
Exceptions exist only in rare situations, such as sudden institutional closures.
- Increased Work Hours for Other Visa Categories
The higher 25-hour limit also benefits:
Dependent child visitor visa holders
Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa holders
Both groups can now work up to 25 hours per week, instead of the previous 20.
How to Apply for the Updated Work Rights
Students wishing to increase their weekly work limit must submit a variation of conditions request through Immigration New Zealand’s online system. The fee for this application is NZD 325.
The government is also considering further reforms—such as a short-term work visa for vocational graduates and streamlined visa processing steps. These proposals are pending Cabinet approval.
For the most accurate and up-to-date details, students should refer to the Ministry of Education’s official website.
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