New Zealand Eases Work Rights & Aims for Higher International Student Numbers by 2034

On Monday, 14 July 2025, the New Zealand Government announced its International Education Going for Growth Plan, aiming to grow its international education sector. As part of this, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is introducing a series of changes to immigration rules, primarily focused on making the student visa process more student-friendly and doubling the education sector’s economic contribution to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034.

With countries like Australia and the USA tightening international student policies, New Zealand is positioning itself as a welcoming alternative by offering more work opportunities, clearer visa pathways, and better long-term support for students looking to study abroad.

Work Hours Increased for Student Visa Holders

One of the most impactful updates is the increase in allowed part-time work hours for New Zealand student visa holders. Starting 3rd November 2025, international students who qualify will be permitted to work 25 hours each week during their academic sessions. This is a step up from the previous 20-hour weekly limit. The change applies to all student visas approved from that date forward, even if students had applied earlier.

If a student already holds a visa with a 20-hour limit and wishes to take advantage of the new 25-hour rule, they will need to apply for a variation of conditions or submit a new visa application. Immigration fees will apply in either case. However, those whose visas allow full-time work during summer or breaks may choose to apply later after their break ends.

Work Rights Extended to Exchange and Study Abroad Programs

In another positive step, INZ will now extend in-study work rights to all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad Programs, including short 1-semester courses. Earlier, work rights were limited to full-degree students, but this change ensures even short-term international students get to experience local work culture and support their finances.

For this, the government is exploring the introduction of a new 6-month short-term work visa. This would allow graduates to search for jobs under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway, especially helpful for those completing vocational courses or shorter programs.

Additionally, the government is considering multi-year visa options to simplify the process and reduce the stress of frequent renewals.

Economic Goals for 2034 and Market Focus

This entire plan is part of New Zealand’s broader strategy to increase international student enrolments from 83,700 in 2024 to 119,000 over the next decade, while also doubling the education sector’s economic contribution from NZ$3.6 billion to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034.

Alongside this, the government is aiming to boost New Zealand’s global visibility as a preferred study destination, planning to grow international awareness from 38% to 44% and encouraging more students to rank the country among their top three choices, with a target increase from 18% to 22% by 2034.\ According to Education New Zealand (ENZ), the country’s top student markets continue to be China (34%) and India (14%), followed by Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the USA, Germany, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. New Zealand will outreach in these markets to bring in talented international students and build stronger recruitment pipelines.

In conclusion, for Indian and Southeast Asian students eyeing global education opportunities, applying for the intakes after November 2025 in New Zealand will be great. This is because the country is not only offering longer work hours and more flexible visa pathways but also aiming to maintain high academic standards and better support systems. So, keep an eye on updates from INZ and reach out to experts at KC Overseas Education to know how these changes may benefit your future plans to study in New Zealand.