New Zealand student visa work limit rises to 25 hours per week

(NEW ZEALAND) International students will be able to work more hours during the school term from early November next year, after the government confirmed that holders of student visas in New Zealand can work up to 25 hours per week from November 3, 2025. The change raises the current cap of 20 hours and applies across tertiary and secondary study, including approved exchange and Study Abroad programmes.

Officials say the move is designed to ease living costs for students and help employers fill shifts in key sectors without changing rules on full-time work during holidays.

Who the change applies to and how it will be implemented

• The updated work-rights condition will apply to all new student visas granted on or after November 3, 2025.
• For those already in the country, current student visa holders whose documents were issued before that date and show a 20-hour cap must apply for a variation to their existing visa to increase to 25 hours per week during term time.
• Authorities have framed the step as a targeted update rather than a broad rewrite of student work rights.

Why the government made the change

Immigration New Zealand says the update is meant to reflect real student timetables and job patterns, where part-time shifts often run beyond four hours and weekend work can stretch across two days. The ability to work full-time during scheduled breaks remains unchanged, so the headline change is focused squarely on term time.

English-language students can also benefit if they meet the existing criteria for work rights, including full-time study and acceptable English test results, alongside regular attendance and academic progress checks.

Compliance, oversight and penalties

The government has tied the new cap to oversight measures intended to prevent excess work and study drop-off. Compliance rules will continue to apply, and the penalties are explicit.

• Breaching the limit—by working more than 25 hours per week when classes are in session—can trigger visa cancellation and a five-year re-entry ban.
• Institutions have been encouraged to monitor student workloads and flag concerns early; the change is meant to support affordability, not dilute academic focus.

Important: Students should strictly observe the 25-hour term-time limit. Violations carry severe consequences, including cancellation of the visa and long re-entry bans.

Additional safeguards for younger students

• Secondary school students in Years 12 and 13 still need written permission from both their school and a parent or legal guardian before working during term time, even under the higher cap.
• Schools expect more requests for permission letters as job listings reflect the increased limit.
• International coordinators note the approval step helps ensure that work fits around exams, sports, and family routines.

Financial impact for students and employers

Officials estimate the extra five hours could add about NZD $140–$175 per week to a student’s income at current wage levels. That additional weekly income can help cover groceries, a share of utilities, or reduce reliance on savings or high-interest loans.

Employers in hospitality, retail, and aged care say longer shifts reduce turnover and training gaps. Many hope the new cap will make it easier to offer consistent weekend and evening rosters.

What current visa holders need to do

Students with visas issued before November 3, 2025 who want to increase their hours must apply for a variation of conditions using form INZ 1020.

• Fee: NZD $325
• Form: INZ 1020 Application for Variation of Conditions
• Officials advise students to check their eVisa or visa letter to confirm the work condition printed on their record.

Current students are weighing the NZD $325 fee against the higher earnings from the five extra hours.

Institutional guidance and student support

• Universities and private training providers have alerted students via campus newsletters and urged verification of employer start dates.
• Some providers plan drop-in sessions next term to explain how the 25-hour cap interacts with course loads—especially for students with labs, placements, or capstone projects.
• Advisers will remind learners that hours during exam weeks still count toward the term-time cap, even if classes have stopped.
• This guidance is expected to feature in orientation briefings for early-2026 intakes.

English-language colleges and international recruitment

• The policy covers English-language colleges, a major intake channel from India, China, Brazil, and Southeast Asia.
• Not every English-language student has work rights; existing rules still require full-time study and acceptable English test results.
• Those who qualify will gain the same increase to 25 hours per week in term time.
• Providers say clearer, consistent work-rights settings help avoid confusion among agents and families planning months ahead.

Official guidance and further information

Government websites have begun updating guidance pages ahead of the rollout. The official overview for students about work rights during study has been refreshed with the new limit and compliance reminders.

• Review the official rules at Immigration New Zealand’s page on Working on a student visa, which outlines term-time limits, holiday work, and permission requirements for secondary students.

Advisers say that page will remain the main reference point as the start date approaches.

Reactions from students, employers and policy watchers

• Student groups welcomed the change as a practical step amid rising rent and transport costs.
• Some student groups requested clearer guidance on managing overtime when shifts run past midnight into a new week, an issue common in late-night hospitality work.
• Employers said they would adjust rosters to respect the cap and document hours carefully.
• Training providers asked students to track work schedules and keep payslips in case Immigration New Zealand requests evidence during spot checks or renewal assessments.

Policy watchers described the update as a measured recalibration rather than a sweeping expansion of work rights. They noted:

• Holiday rules remain stable.
• The focus on attendance and progress is maintained.
• Consent rules for Year 12 and 13 students continue.

As VisaVerge.com reports, similar tweaks in study-work settings can influence where students apply, especially when cost-of-living pressures are high. Agents expect the higher cap to feature prominently in marketing materials for 2026 intakes.

Final reminders from officials and providers

Officials emphasized the change does not alter the core purpose of a student visa: full-time study remains the priority. The increase to 25 hours per week is intended to be flexible but not open-ended.

• Poor attendance or failing grades can affect future visa decisions, including extensions or post-study options.
• Providers will monitor whether the higher cap affects course completion timelines, though early feedback suggests most students plan to add one extra shift rather than overhaul their weekly schedule.

Students should keep records of hours and payslips, consult their institutions if unsure, and check official guidance as November 3, 2025 approaches.