International students in New Zealand can now work 25 hours per week and have more opportunities to work during exchange or Study Abroad programs. These are just a few changes that took effect on the 3rd of November under the new International Education Going for Growth Plan.
International education Going for Growth Plan
Announced in July, the NZ government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan’s goal is to double the international education market in less than a decade.
NZ Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, said in a statement that the government aims to grow the education sector to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034. At the moment, the education market is worth NZ$3.6 billion. The government wants to increase the number of enrolled foreign students from 83,700 in 2024 to 105,000 in 2027 and 119,000 in 2034, and to double its value in 2034.
As part of the plan that came into effect this November, the government:
- increased the number of hours eligible students can work while they have a student visa, from 20 to 25 hours a week,
- extended eligibility for in-study work rights to all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programs, including 1-semester courses,
- clarified that if you change your education provider or lower your level of study, in most cases, you will need to apply for a new student visa, not just a variation of conditions,
- increased the number of hours eligible holders of dependent child visitor visas and Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visas can work while on their visa, from 20 to 25 hours a week.
The increase of working hours (20 to 25) will only apply to those who have been given a visa from November 3 onward. The students with existing visas limited to 20 hours per week will need to reapply to work more hours. If they applied before November 3 but were granted the visa on the day or after, the new rule is valid.
Additionally, “if you already have a student visa with a 20-hour work limit and want to work up to 25 hours, you will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa. The relevant immigration fees will apply,” read a statement by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
Foreign students aged 12 and 13 are likewise eligible to the new rules. However, just like before, they will need to obtain parental and school permissions to work during the school year.
To make the process of applying for a visa online more efficient, Immigration New Zealand has moved all student applications to an upgraded Immigration Online system. The new digital platform helps students communicate in a clearer manner, decide more quickly, and is more user-friendly in general.
The visa application fee is about NZ$850, and students need to show they have enough money to study and live in the country, which is at least NZ$20,000 per year for living costs.
The Growth Plan in the international context
The Growth Plan comes into effect at a time when the policies of popular countries for foreign students, such as Australia and the United States, are changing.
The administration of Donald Trump restricted visa access for foreign students, particularly those from China.
Meanwhile, the Australian government limited the number of new international student enrollments to 270,000 in 2025, to help reduce record migration levels that have increased rental prices across the country.
For New Zealand, whose economy has grown in a slower pace, this move will help revive its struggling economy. All this follows the change of visa policies made to attract digital nomads and foreign investors.
Changes in NZ: 2025’s legislative overview
Here’s an overview of legislative changes in other sectors than education in November 2025:
- The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Act 2024, which reintroduces mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders convicted of serious violent or sexual crimes, came into force,
- A licensing framework for online casinos in New Zealand was established under the Online Casino Gambling Bill,
- The Equal Pay Act of 2025, which regulates the rules for equal pay claims, redefines jobs in which women predominate, and limits the time limits for filing claims, was approved,
- The Electoral Amendment Bill changes voting rules and donation thresholds.