New Zealand Increases Work Hours and Post-Study Opportunities for International Students 

New Zealand Increases Work Hours  Starting November 2025

Great news for international students! New Zealand has announced exciting updates to student visa rules, making it easier for students to work while they study and after they graduate.

Key Highlights:

• From November 3, 2025, students can work 25 hours per week during the academic term.
• Full-time work will still be allowed during official study breaks.
• After graduation, students can get a 2-year post-study work visa (up from 1 year).
• These changes especially benefit students in high-demand fields like IT, healthcare, and engineering.
• Students enrolled in degree-level programs will find it easier to gain relevant work experience.
• The new rules aim to help more students—especially from countries like Pakistan—start their careers in New Zealand.

What’s Changing for Students in New Zealand?

1. More Work Hours While Studying

Starting November 3, 2025, international students will be allowed to:

• Work up to 25 hours per week during school terms.
• Work full-time during scheduled breaks (as listed on their visa).

This gives students more flexibility to earn money and gain work experience while studying.

2. More Students Can Work During Studies

In addition to university students, the following groups can also now work (with permission):

• Exchange or Study Abroad students
• High school students in Year 12 and Year 13, if approved by their school and parents.

3. Longer Post-Study Work Visa

Graduates will now have more time to find a job after completing their studies:

• A 2-year post-study work visa will be offered to degree-level graduates.
• A new 6-month post-study work visa is available for vocational or sub-degree graduates to help them transition into the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program.

4. New Visa Rules for Switching Courses or Schools

Students who want to change:

• Their institution (e.g., switching from one university to another), or
• Their level of study (e.g., from a diploma to a degree),
  must now apply for a new visa instead of just updating their existing one.

This is to improve transparency and monitoring.

5. Simpler Multi-Year Student Visas

New Zealand is working to make it easier for students to get multi-year visas, which will help them plan longer study programs with less paperwork.

6. National Growth Strategy for 2034

New Zealand aims to grow its international education sector with these goals:

• Increase student enrolments from 83,400 in 2024 to 119,000 by 2034.
• Boost economic value from NZ$3.6 billion to NZ$7.2 billion.

7. Better Student Support Services

New improvements are also coming for international students:

• 24/7 digital support
• More mental health services
• Improved accommodation standards

8. Faster Visa Processing

• All student visa applications will soon be processed digitally, making the process quicker and smoother.

When Do the New Rules Start?

• The 25-hour work limit starts November 3, 2025.
  (This applies to all new visas issued on or after this date.)
• Other changes—like switching course rules and support services—are already in effect.

What Does This Mean for You?

These updates mean more opportunities to earn money, gain real-world experience, and build a career in New Zealand, especially in areas where workers are needed most.

Thinking about studying in New Zealand?

Now’s the perfect time to plan your move. These changes make New Zealand a more attractive and supportive place for international students. For further assistance, contact Asif Consulting.