Lori Meadows
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa, depending on their programme of study. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during scheduled breaks and the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Students enrolled in Masters by Research or PhD programmes are allowed to work as many hours as they like. To work in New Zealand, international students must have a valid student visa, and their eligibility for work depends on their type and duration of study. After completing their studies, international students can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa to stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours for students studying English | Up to 20 hours per week if studying full-time |
| Work hours for students in years 12 and 13 at secondary school | Up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period |
| Work hours for students with a programme of study of at least one academic year | Part-time up to 20 hours per week and full-time during vacations |
| Work hours for students with a course of at least eight months with a minimum of two semesters | Full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period |
| Work hours for Masters by research or doctoral degree students | No restrictions |
| Work hours for students who have completed their studies | Full-time if the student visa has a work condition of 'work part-time up to 20 hours per week' |
| Work hours for students in their final semester | Part-time or full-time |
| Work rights for international students | May be able to work part-time while studying and for three years after their degree |
| Work rights for international students with a Bachelor's degree or higher | Can stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years |
| Work rights for international students with a degree level 7 qualification or above | Can work for any employer |
| Work rights for international students with a non-degree level 7 or below qualification | May still be able to get a Post-Study Work Visa if the qualification is on the eligible list, and the job is related to what they studied |
| Work rights for international students with a master's or doctoral degree | Can work in New Zealand for three years |
| Work rights for international students with a qualification at level 8 or below | Can work for the same duration as their study |
| Work rights for international students with a PhD | Can work for up to three years |
| Self-employment for international students | Not allowed |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Part-time work rights for international students
International students in New Zealand may be able to work part-time while studying. To do so, students must have a valid student visa, and their eVisa or visa sticker in their passport will indicate whether they are allowed to work. Students can work up to 20 hours each week if they are studying full-time, and their course results in a New Zealand qualification at Level 4 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). Students whose courses are part of an approved tertiary student exchange scheme can also work up to 20 hours per week if their programme of study is at least one academic year long. Students under 18 years of age must have written permission from their school and their parents or legal guardian to work.
Students can work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as between semesters, and during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. To work full-time during the holidays, students must be enrolled in a course lasting at least eight months with a minimum of two semesters. Masters by research and PhD students can work as many hours as they like while studying.
It is important to note that international students in New Zealand cannot be self-employed. They must work for an employer and have an employment agreement. Additionally, students cannot provide commercial sexual services. Working when a visa does not allow it is a breach of visa conditions and can affect the student's ability to stay in New Zealand or their chances of obtaining a new visa.
After completing their studies, international students may be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, allowing them to stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years. The length of the visa depends on the qualification completed. For example, a master's or doctoral degree will allow a three-year visa, while a qualification at level 8 or below will result in a visa for the same duration as the study.
International Students: Can We Take Extra Work Hours?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Work hours and conditions
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa. The type of work and the number of hours you can work will depend on your visa conditions, which are recorded on your eVisa, the visa label in your passport, or in your visa letter.
If you are allowed to work in New Zealand, your visa will state this. You may be allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during scheduled holidays, including the Christmas and New Year holiday period. If you are under 18, you must have written permission from your school and your parents or legal guardian to work. You do not need written permission to work full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period if you are over 18.
If your visa's work condition is 'work part-time up to 20 hours per week', then you must continue working these hours if your course has finished. If you have finished your studies and your student visa is still valid, you can work full-time if your visa's work condition is 'may work full-time during a scheduled vacation'.
Masters by research and PhD students can work as many hours as they like. However, international students are not allowed to be self-employed. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement.
It is important to understand whether you are allowed to work or not, otherwise, you may be in breach of your student visa conditions. Working when your visa does not allow you to work may result in you having to leave New Zealand.
International Students: Buying Australian Property
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Work visa requirements
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa. The visa conditions will allow you to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during the school year, and full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. If you are under 18, you must have written permission from your school and your parents or legal guardian to work. If your visa's work condition is 'work part-time up to 20 hours per week', then you must continue working these hours if your course has finished.
After completing your studies, you may be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa for up to three years. Your qualification must be at degree level 7 or above, and your study must have been full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand. If you have completed a non-degree level 7 or below qualification, you may still be eligible, but your qualification must be on the Qualifications Eligible for Post-Study Work Visa list. The job you take must be related to what you studied.
If you are enrolled in a Masters by Research or a doctoral degree program, there are no restrictions on the hours you can work while studying.
It is important to note that international students are not allowed to be self-employed. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement.
International Students: Taking a Semester Break in Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Work rights for PhD and Masters students
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa. Your visa's conditions, including your work rights, are recorded on your eVisa, the visa label in your passport, or in the visa letter issued to you. Working when your visa does not allow you to can be a breach of your visa conditions and may affect your ability to stay in New Zealand or the decision on your next visa application.
Students enrolled in Masters by research or doctoral degree programs at a New Zealand tertiary institution have unlimited work rights. There are no restrictions on the number of hours they can work while studying.
If you have submitted your PhD thesis, you may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa of up to 3 years.
Work rights for other students
Students who are not enrolled in a Masters or PhD program may be allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during their studies and full-time during scheduled holidays and the Christmas and New Year holiday period. If your visa's work condition is 'work part-time up to 20 hours per week', then you must continue working these hours if your course has finished.
If you are under 18, you must have written permission from your school and your parents or legal guardian to work. You do not need written permission to work full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period if you are over 18.
If practical experience is a requirement of your course, you will be granted a Student Visa with conditions that allow you to work to complete it.
Work While Studying in Cyprus: International Student Rights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Work rights for English language students
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa. Your eVisa or visa sticker in your passport will show whether you can work. If you are an English language student, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week while you have a valid Student Visa, provided your course meets the following conditions:
- You have an acceptable English language test result that is no more than 2 years old, such as an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate, with an overall band score of 5.0. You must provide your test result with your application.
- Your study is with a university, or an education provider that has been assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority as a Category 1 provider.
Previous English language study can be counted towards the 14 weeks if your new study follows on from your previous study. If you are under 18, you must have written permission from your school and your parents or legal guardian to work. You do not need written permission to work full-time in the Christmas and New Year holiday period if you are over 18.
International students are not allowed to be self-employed. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement. You cannot provide commercial sexual services. You will need an IRD number if you plan to work. Apply for an IRD number from Inland Revenue after you get your visa. Give your IRD number to your employer when you start work.
Student Loan for International Study: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa.
International students in New Zealand can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during their studies and full-time during scheduled breaks and the Christmas and New Year holiday period. PhD and Masters research students can work without restrictions.
To work on a student visa in New Zealand, you must have a valid student visa and be studying full-time. Your visa will show if and when you are allowed to work. You must also have an employment agreement and cannot be self-employed.
Yes, international students in New Zealand can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during their studies if they have a valid student visa and are studying full-time.
International students in New Zealand can work full-time during scheduled breaks and the Christmas and New Year holiday period. They may also be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa to work full-time after completing their studies.
