New Zealand to expand work hours for international students along with these key changes from November 2025

To enhance its global education appeal, the New Zealand government has announced key reforms under its new strategy titled “International Education: Going for Growth Plan.” The move is expected to make the country more competitive among global study destinations, especially as traditional markets like the US and Canada tighten visa rules.

Under the plan, international students in New Zealand will be allowed to work 25 hours a week during academic terms, up from the current limit of 20 hours. As per a report by Reuters, the new rule will take effect from November 3, 2025 and will apply to all student visas granted from that date, regardless of when the application was submitted.

Students already in New Zealand can also avail the increased hours by applying for a variation of conditions or a new visa, with standard immigration processing fees.


New Zealand’s revised international education strategy introduces longer working hours for students, stricter visa compliance, and a new post-study pathway. The measures aim to nearly double the sector’s economic contribution and student enrolments by 2034.

Work rights expanded for more students

The new 25-hour work limit will be applicable throughout academic terms. Full-time work rights will remain during scheduled academic breaks, provided those are clearly mentioned on the visa.

In addition to university students, the government is extending in-study work rights to:

• Students enrolled in one-semester Exchange or Study Abroad programmes
• Secondary school students in Years 12 and 13, subject to written approval from parents and school authorities

Visa compliance rules strengthened

New Zealand has also introduced a key change for students switching institutions or course levels. They must now apply for a new visa rather than request a variation. The move is intended to improve monitoring and ensure transparency in student movements.

In a forward-looking step, the government has proposed a six-month post-study work visa for vocational and sub-degree graduates. This visa will serve as a bridge to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme, helping students enter the labour market faster.

Additionally, plans are in motion to simplify multi-year student visa access, making longer academic commitments more feasible for international students.

Ambitious targets set for 2034

With a long-term growth vision, the “Going for Growth” strategy outlines the following targets:

• International enrolments to increase from 83,400 (2024) to 119,000 (2034)
• Economic contribution to rise from NZ$3.6 billion to NZ$7.2 billion
• Preference ranking among global students to improve from 18% to 22% in the top three choices

Currently, the average annual spending per international student is around NZ$45,000, benefiting the economy across sectors such as housing, hospitality, retail, and tourism.

Enhanced student services

The plan also includes significant improvements in student experience. Key initiatives include:

• 24/7 digital support platforms
• Expanded mental health services
• Better accommodation standards
• A shift to fully digital visa processing, aimed at speeding up application decisions and improving communication

Implementation timeline

The 25-hour weekly work limit will begin from November 3, 2025, and is expected to apply to all new visas issued on or after that date. Meanwhile, the visa compliance changes for students altering their education provider or course level are already active.

Development of multi-year visas and the short post-study work visa for vocational students is currently underway, signalling the government’s continued focus on building a more flexible and student-friendly migration system.

These reforms come at a time when New Zealand is working to regain its position as a leading education destination post-pandemic. The government expects the changes to not only attract new students but also ensure they transition smoothly into the local workforce.