The Government has announced its International Education Going for Growth Plan to strengthen New Zealand’s appeal as a study destination while maintaining education quality and immigration integrity.

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As part of this, changes in November 2025 will:

• increase the hours eligible tertiary and secondary school students can work while holding a student visa, from 20 to 25 hours per week. Secondary school students will still need permission from their parents and school
• extend eligibility for in-study work rights to all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes, including one-semester courses
• require international students who want to change to a lower-level course or change education provider to apply for a new student visa, rather than a variation of conditions to their existing visa.

More details on these changes will be provided in the coming months.

The Government has also announced it is considering other changes to student visa settings.