If you are an international student in New Zealand, understanding your work rights is essential. It helps you manage your finances and stay compliant with your visa conditions.
International Student Work Rights New Zealand: What Changed From 3 November 2025
As per Immigration New Zealand’s official announcement, the in-study work limit for eligible international students increased from 20 to 25 hours per week from 3 November 2025. This change was part of the International Education Going for Growth Plan. Here is what the update covers:
- Eligible tertiary and secondary school students can now work up to 25 hours per week during the semester
- The change applies to all new student visas granted from 3 November 2025, even if the application was submitted earlier
- Immigration New Zealand also extended work rights to all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes, including 1-semester courses
- Students on visas issued before 3 November 2025 with a 20-hour condition are not automatically updated, they must apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa
Who Qualifies for International Student Work Rights in New Zealand
As per Immigration New Zealand’s working on a student visa page, you may be able to work part-time for up to 25 hours a week if you are:
- You may qualify if you study full-time for at least two academic years. You may also qualify if you are pursuing a New Zealand qualification at NZQCF Level 4 or above.
- A secondary school student in Years 12 or 13, aged 16 or older, with written permission from your school and parent or legal guardian
- An English language student whose course meets specific conditions set by INZ
- A student on an approved exchange or Study Abroad programme of at least 1 semester
- A PhD or Research Master’s student with no limit on hours at all
As per Immigration New Zealand, students cannot be self-employed. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement. Students cannot engage in commercial sexual services.
Holiday Provisions Under International Student Work Rights New Zealand
Understanding work rights also means knowing when full-time work is allowed. Different rules apply during holiday periods.
For scheduled breaks in study (e.g. term breaks), as per Immigration New Zealand, all three of the following must apply:
- You study for at least 1 academic year
- Your course is worth at least 120 credits
- Your course has a minimum of 2 semesters over at least 8 months
For the Christmas and New Year holiday period specifically, as per Immigration New Zealand, the criteria are different; you only need to meet both of the following:
- You study full-time, and
- Your course has a minimum of 2 semesters over at least 8 months
The 120-credit requirement does not apply to Christmas and New Year holiday work. Always check your eVisa letter to confirm whether your conditions include holiday work rights.
Pathway Student Visa: Work Rights
As per Immigration New Zealand’s Pathway Student Visa page, students on a Pathway Student Visa may be allowed to work part-time for up to 25 hours a week while studying and full-time during all scheduled holidays and/or the Christmas and New Year holiday period, depending on their course. Key points to note:
- As per Immigration New Zealand, Pathway Student Visa holders cannot be self-employed and must work as an employee with an employment agreement
- If the first course on your study pathway does not give you work rights, but your second or third course does, you can apply for a variation of conditions to allow you to work
- Students aged 16 or 17, or in Years 12 or 13 of secondary school, must provide written permission from their parents or legal guardian and from the approved education provider.
- As per Immigration New Zealand, to receive work rights allowing full-time work during scheduled holidays, you must show that your course has a value of 120 credits and provide information about when holidays are scheduled.
If Your Visa Still Shows 20 Hours: How to Update It
If your student visa shows a 20-hour work condition and you want to work up to 25 hours, as per Immigration New Zealand’s check or change your student visa conditions page, you will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa. The process for the variation of conditions depends on your application number format:
- If your application number has 8 digits and does not start with ‘SV’: Apply using the online variation of the work conditions form for work hour changes only
- If your application number starts with ‘SV’: Apply through the enhanced Immigration Online system
- Fee: Immigration New Zealand charges NZD $325 for a variation of conditions.
- INZ must fully approve your application and issue an updated eVisa before the new conditions take effect.
As per Immigration New Zealand, most student visas already allow full-time work during scheduled breaks, so you may not need to apply for the extra 5 hours immediately if the summer holidays are approaching.
PhD and Research Master’s: No Hour Limit
For doctoral and research master’s students, the rules are different. As per Immigration New Zealand, there is no limit on the hours you can work if you are enrolled in a PhD or research master’s programme at a New Zealand tertiary institution. However, if you work full-time, you must also continue studying full-time. If you want to take a break from studies to work full-time, your education provider must agree to the suspension and notify INZ. For full details, visit the working on a student visa page.
Key Rules You Must Not Overlook
Before you start working, always verify your visa conditions. As per Immigration New Zealand, here are the key rules that students most commonly miss:
- Check your eVisa first. Your eVisa or visa approval letter records your work rights.
- The 25-hour limit is per week, not per day
- Training schemes and micro-credentials do not qualify for work rights, even if listed on the NZQCF
- If you are a secondary school student, school and parental permission are still required under the 25-hour rule
- If you change education providers or lower your level of study, you will generally need to apply for a new student visa, not a variation of conditions
- Working more hours than your visa allows is a breach of visa conditions and can affect your immigration status
For full details on your conditions, check the Working on a Student Visa page on Immigration New Zealand’s website.
Visit iegc.nz or email info@iegc.nz to discuss your study plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many hours can international students work per week in New Zealand in 2026?
As per Immigration New Zealand, from 3 November 2025, eligible international students can work up to 25 hours per week during the semester. This applies to all new student visas granted from that date. Students whose visas were issued before 3 November 2025 with a 20-hour condition, must apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa to access 25 hours.
Q2: Is the upgrade from 20 to 25 hours automatic for existing visa holders?
No. As per Immigration New Zealand, students on visas with a 20-hour work condition are not automatically updated. They must apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa. The variation of the conditions fee is NZD $325.
Q3: Can international students work full-time during holidays in New Zealand?
As per Immigration New Zealand, the criteria differ by holiday type. For scheduled breaks in study, your course must run for at least 1 academic year, be worth at least 120 credits, and have a minimum of 2 semesters over at least 8 months. For the Christmas and New Year holiday period, you only need to study full-time and have a course with a minimum of 2 semesters over at least 8 months; the 120-credit requirement does not apply. Always check your eVisa conditions to confirm.
Q4: Do PhD students have a work hour limit in New Zealand?
No. As per Immigration New Zealand, there is no limit on the number of hours PhD and Research Master’s students can work. However, if working full-time, they must also continue studying full-time.