More Hours, New Rules: Your Guide to the 2025 Student Visa Work Rights

For international students in New Zealand, juggling studies and work to earn a living is a key part of the international experience. With that in mind, the government has introduced a major change to immigration rules aimed at easing this strain and somewhat finding a good and required balance. Coming into effect this November 2025, a series of changes will influence how and when students can work, bringing flexibility and ease for many. This blog breaks down everything you need to know about the upcoming adjustments to student visa work rights.

The Headline Change: Increased Work Hours

The most welcome news for many is the increase in permitted work hours during the semester. From Monday, 3rd November 2025, eligible tertiary and secondary school students will be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week, a rise from the previous 20-hour limit.

This new allowance will automatically apply to all new student visas granted on or after that date. However, for the estimated 40,987 current student visa holders with a 20-hour condition, the change is not automatic. Those wishing to take advantage of the extra five hours will need to apply for a formal variation of conditions, which comes with a standard application fee of NZD $325.

It is worth noting that full-time work during summer and other scheduled holidays remains permissible for most student visas. Students are requested to keep a check on their current visa conditions before applying for the variation, as they can choose to wait until after the vacation period if their visa is valid.

Extended Work Rights for Exchange Students

In a move to attract a more diverse range of students, the in-study work rights have been extended to include all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes. This is quite an important implementation because now it even includes students enrolled in shorter or one-semester courses, giving them valuable local work experience through their stay.

Clarification on Changing Course or Provider

The new rules bring clarity to a previously complex area. The announcement confirms that, in most cases, international students who wish to change their education provider or lower their level of study (for instance, moving from a degree to a diploma) will need to apply for a new student visa, not just a variation of conditions.

An exception may be made in special circumstances beyond the student's control, such as their education provider suddenly closing down. Students considering such a change are strongly advised to consult the official visa webpages and apply for a new visa well in advance to avoid disrupting their studies.

Broader Impact: Other Visa Holders See an Increase

The work hour increase is not limited to student visa holders. The government is also extending the 25-hour work week to certain other visa categories, including:

*   Holders of a dependent child visitor visa (for those awaiting a family resident visa outcome).

*  Holders of a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa (for those who held a student visa when their resident application was submitted).

Eligible individuals in these categories can apply for the variation using the INZ 1020 Variation of Conditions form.

How to Apply for More Work Hours

The application process depends on when your current student visa was issued.

Visas issued through the old system meaning application submitted before 18 August 2025, a specific online condition form will be available strictly for increasing work hours to 25 per week. Visas issued in the new enhanced Immigration Online system (application submitted after 18 August 2025): The variation of conditions can be applied for directly through the enhanced Immigration Online platform.

For any other changes to visa conditions, the standard INZ 1020 form remains the correct document.

The government has announced that such changes are just the beginning and further reforms are being discussed, including new short-term work visas for specific vocational graduates and also a more smoother visa application process. The international education grounds in New Zealand are getting big and evolving. With the upcoming changes aimed to roll out in November marks a key step towards greater support for its student community.