New Zealand raises student work limit to 25 hrs/week

The New Zealand government has introduced a raft of immigration changes within its International Education Going for Growth Plan, launched in July 2025. The programme focuses on ensuring sustainable growth in the international education sector by improving work outcomes for students and simplifying the visa application process.

- Simple Vishwakarma

Perhaps the most significant of these updates pertains to the increase in the number of permitted work hours for international students. For instance, qualified tertiary and secondary school students will be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during their academic term, up from the previously set limit of 20 hours, effective November 3, 2025.

The new rule affects all student visas approved from November 3 onwards, even if applications were submitted prior to that date. Students who already hold visas with a 20-hour limit but wish to take advantage of the new allowance will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa.