Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that the previously-announced changes to student visa work rights, part of the International Education Going for Growth Plan, will take effect from November 3, 2025.
On that date, INZ will:
- increase the number of hours eligible students can work while they have a student visa, from 20 to 25 hours a week;
- extend eligibility for in-study work rights to all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programs, including 1-semester courses;
- clarify that those who change their education provider or lower their level of study will in most cases need to apply for a new student visa, not just a variation of conditions;
- increase the number of hours eligible holders of dependent child visitor visas and Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visas can work while on their visa, from 20 to 25 hours a week.
Increased in-study work hours
From November 3, 2025, eligible tertiary and secondary school students will be allowed to work up to 25 hours a week during the semester — an increase from the current 20-hour limit. This will apply to all new student visas granted from that date, even if the application was submitted earlier.
Those on a student visa with a 20-hour work limit who want to work up to 25 hours will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa.
Most student visas already allow full-time work during summer and other scheduled breaks. If a student visa includes this condition, the holder might not need to apply for the extra five hours right away.
School students in years 12 and 13 require parental and school permission for 20 hours in-study work rights during the year. This permission will still be a requirement with the increase to 25 hours a week.
There are currently 40,987 student visa holders with in-study work rights. Of these, 29,790 visas are set to expire on or before March 31, 2026, while 11,197 will expire after that date.
Not all visa holders are expected to apply for the additional 5 hours of work rights. Some may choose to wait until their next visa application to include the change, rather than pay to vary their current visa conditions. Others may be nearing the end of their studies and therefore unlikely to apply for the extra work hours.
Applying for a variation of conditions for current student visa holders
Those who have a student visa, including if they are a tertiary student on an approved exchange or Study Abroad programme, can apply for a variation of conditions to increase their work rights to 25 hours a week from Monday, November 3, 2025.
The process for applying for a variation of conditions will depend on which system the student visa was issued in.
If the student visa was issued in the old system (if the application was submitted before August 18, 2025) and includes a 20-hour work condition, the holder will be able to apply to increase their work hours to 25 hours a week by submitting a variation of conditions form online.
The form will only be for increasing work hours. For any other changes to visa conditions, applicants must use the INZ 1020 Variation of Conditions form.
If the student visa was issued in the new enhanced Immigration Online system (if the application was submitted after August 18, 2025) and includes a 20-hour work condition, the holder will be able to apply to increase their work hours to 25 hours a week by submitting a variation of conditions through enhanced Immigration Online.
The fee to apply for a variation of conditions under any system is NZD 325.
Changing education provider or lowering the level of study
Those who currently have a student visa and are planning to change their education provider or lower their level of study (for example, from a degree to a diploma), will generally need to apply for a new student visa, not just a variation of conditions.
However, in special circumstances where the change is beyond their control, such as a provider closing down suddenly, a variation of conditions may be considered.
Dependent child visitor visa and Skilled Migrant Category Interim visa holders
Those who currently have a different category of visa with part-time work rights of 20 hours a week may also be eligible to increase their work hours to 25 hours a week.
They may qualify if they meet the work rights requirement and have one of the following visas:
- a dependent child visitor visa, if they are waiting for the outcome of a family resident visa application
- a skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa, if they held a student visa at the time their resident application was submitted.
To apply to increase their work hours, eligible visa holders should submit an application using the INZ 1020 Variation of Conditions form.
More changes coming
Subject to Cabinet agreement, ΙΝΖ is exploring further changes, including a new short-term work visa for some vocational graduates and streamlined visa processes.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.