International students in New Zealand will soon be able to work more during the academic term, after the government confirmed a targeted lift in permitted work hours tied to the student visa. As of 1 September 2025, officials announced that eligible students can work up to 25 hours per week during teaching weeks, up from the long-standing 20-hour cap. The new limit takes effect on 3 November 2025.
The change covers new student visas issued from that date—regardless of when the application was lodged—and extends beyond universities to include eligible secondary school students in Years 12 and 13, as well as tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programs, even for one-semester stays. Immigration New Zealand said full-time work remains allowed during scheduled breaks, including summer and the Christmas/New Year period.
Why the change and expected benefits
The policy shift is part of the government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan, which aims to double the sector’s economic contribution to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034. Officials view the increased work hours as a practical way to:
- Help students cover living costs
- Enable students to gain local work experience
- Strengthen New Zealand’s appeal versus competing destinations
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the extra five hours per week could mean roughly NZ$100 or more in additional weekly income for many students, depending on pay rates and available shifts. The longstanding rule that work must fit around study remains unchanged.
Scope and eligibility
Key points about who benefits and how the change applies:
- New visas: Student visas issued from 3 November 2025 will include the 25-hour condition by default.
- Existing visas: Current holders with a 20-hour condition must apply for a new visa or a variation of conditions to access 25 hours. Applications may involve fees.
- Secondary students (Years 12–13): Still require parental and school approval to work during term time; the approval step aims to protect school-age learners.
- Exchange / Study Abroad students: Eligible short-term tertiary students, including one-semester stays, can access the 25-hour cap during teaching weeks and full-time work in scheduled breaks (if those breaks fall within their study period).
“The increase is a modest but meaningful calibration: it improves finances for students while keeping clear that the primary purpose of a student visa is study.”
Practical steps for students already in New Zealand
Students should act early and plan timing carefully. Recommended actions:
- Check the wording on your current visa grant or visa label for listed work hours.
- If it lists 20 hours, apply for:
- a new student visa, or
- a variation of conditions that reflects the 25-hour cap.
- If changing providers or stepping down a level of study, be prepared to apply for a new visa to keep your study pathway lawful.
- Keep payslips, a simple hours log, and up-to-date tax and bank details.
Immigration professionals caution that shifting providers or levels without the correct visa change can lead to non-compliance and affect future visa options.
Employer and provider responsibilities
Immigration New Zealand reminded employers to log and monitor student hours carefully. Key actions for employers and education providers:
- Update payroll and rostering systems to reflect the new 25-hour teaching-week cap.
- Check each employee’s visa conditions—do not assume all students have the 25-hour setting.
- Provide clear employment agreements specifying hours, conditions, and breaks.
- Train managers on differences between teaching weeks and scheduled breaks.
- For small businesses, a simple spreadsheet with a weekly check-in can prevent accidental breaches.
Industry advisers (e.g., Newland Chase, Fragomen) are circulating guidance stressing recordkeeping and compliance. They also note that while increased student work hours can help cover peak demand (retail, hospitality, logistics), student workers should not be treated as full replacements for staff available for longer hours.
Impact on students, employers and the sector
Expected practical effects include:
- Budget relief: The extra five hours can equate to about NZ$100+ per week, helping cover rent, food, transport, and course materials.
- CV and experience: More local workplace time helps students build references and adapt to New Zealand work culture.
- Employer flexibility: Businesses gain more scheduling options while remaining within immigration rules.
- Sector competitiveness: Aligns New Zealand with countries that have widened student work rights, supporting recovery and growth under the government’s plan.
Providers will update handbooks, orientation materials, and briefings—adding budgeting tips, time management guidance, and reminders about tax, workplace safety, and minimum wage rules.
Protections and limits
Policy analysts underline that guardrails remain firm:
- The 25-hour cap is a ceiling, not a target.
- Full-time study remains the primary purpose of the student visa.
- Secondary students still need parental and school approval for term-time work.
- Breaches (working over the cap during teaching weeks) remain a serious compliance issue.
Implementation checklist (students & employers)
- Check your current visa grant for listed work hours.
- If it still says 20 hours, apply for a new student visa or variation of conditions to reflect 25 hours.
- Secondary students (Years 12 & 13) must get parental and school approval for term-time work.
- Plan rosters to stay within 25 hours during teaching weeks.
- Keep payslips, weekly timesheets, and tax details up to date.
- Employers: set hard rostering limits and verify each worker’s visa type before assigning extra shifts.
Where to get official guidance
For authoritative, up-to-date information and application steps, consult Immigration New Zealand’s study pages and related online systems:
- Immigration New Zealand: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
Students can use the INZ online system to apply for new student visas or to request a variation of conditions. Institutions have been encouraged to share official links with students to avoid misinformation.
Wider 2025 immigration context
The student-hours update is one element of broader 2025 immigration changes, which include:
- Easing some employer requirements
- Removing wage thresholds for certain roles
- Extending interim work rights to some Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applicants
- Introducing new seasonal worker pathways
These reforms aim to streamline pathways from study to skilled work and help graduates transition into the workforce when they meet job and visa criteria.
Final practical message
From 3 November 2025, eligible international students on a student visa can work up to 25 hours per week during teaching weeks and full-time in scheduled breaks. New visas issued from that date will include the new allowance automatically. Current visa holders with a 20-hour condition must apply for a new visa or a variation of conditions to lift their cap. Secondary students in Years 12 and 13 still need parental and school approval for term-time work.
With careful planning by students, employers, and providers, the extra five hours is intended to deliver meaningful financial relief and improved links between study and workplace experience—while keeping education at the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
New Zealand will increase the permitted term-time work limit for eligible international students from 20 to 25 hours per week, effective 3 November 2025. New student visas issued from that date will include the 25-hour condition automatically; current visa holders with a 20-hour condition must apply for a new visa or a variation of conditions to access the higher cap. The change covers tertiary students on exchange or Study Abroad programs and includes eligible secondary students in Years 12 and 13, who still require parental and school approval to work during term time. Full-time work continues to be allowed during scheduled breaks. This adjustment is part of the government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan to boost the sector and help students cover living costs and gain local work experience. Employers and education providers must update rostering, payroll systems, and recordkeeping and verify each student’s visa conditions to ensure compliance.
