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MATES International Education and Visa Services
New ZealandStudent Work Rights

New Zealand student work rights increased to 25 hours a week

Status: In effect

Since 3 November 2025, eligible tertiary and secondary students in New Zealand can work up to 25 hours a week during study, up from 20. It applies to student visas granted from that date; holders of an older 20-hour visa must apply for a variation of conditions or a new visa to get the extra hours.

What changed

  • The in-study work limit for eligible students rose from 20 to 25 hours a week during the semester.
  • In-study work rights were extended to all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes, including one-semester courses.
  • INZ clarified that changing education provider or lowering your level of study will, in most cases, need a new student visa rather than a variation of conditions.

Key dates

Officially announced
In effect from

Who may be affected

  • Students granted a student visa on or after 3 November 2025, even if they applied earlier.
  • Students on an older visa with a 20-hour limit, who must apply for a variation of conditions or a new visa to work 25 hours.
  • Year 12 and 13 school students still need parental and school permission to work.

Key takeaways

  • Most student visas already allow full-time work during summer and scheduled breaks — check your own visa conditions.

What students should do

  1. Check the work conditions printed on your own visa before increasing your hours.
  2. If you plan to change provider or study level, ask MATES whether you need a new student visa.

Official sources

Read the Official Update(opens Immigration New Zealand in a new tab — you are leaving the MATES website)

Opens the government website in a new tab. You will be leaving the MATES website.

Before you act on this

Visa and immigration requirements can change. Review the linked official government source and confirm the latest requirements with MATES before making an application decision.

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. MATES cannot influence a government decision.

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