Lori Meadows
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while studying, depending on their visa conditions. Students must check their visa to see if they are allowed to work, as working without permission is a breach of visa conditions and may result in having to leave the country. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during scheduled breaks and the Christmas and New Year holiday period, provided they are studying full-time and their course meets certain conditions. PhD and research master's students can work full-time throughout the year, while part-time students cannot work unless they are in their final semester. International students must be employed and cannot be self-employed or provide commercial sexual services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work allowed on student visa | Yes, but depends on the type and duration of study |
| Work hours | Part-time (up to 20 hours a week) |
| Full-time work | Allowed during vacations, Christmas and New Year holidays, and scheduled breaks |
| Work rights | Unlimited for PhD and Masters research students |
| English language test | Required (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent) |
| Education provider | Must be assessed as a Category 1 provider by the NZ Qualifications Authority |
| Work type | Not self-employed; must work for an employer with an employment agreement |
| Post-study work visa | Allows graduates with a Bachelor's degree or higher to stay and work for up to three years |
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What You'll Learn
Part-time work allowance
International students in New Zealand may be allowed to work part-time while on a student visa. The number of hours they can work depends on their programme of study. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during scheduled breaks, including the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Students enrolled in Masters by research or doctoral degree programmes are not restricted by the number of hours they can work while studying. PhD and Masters research students have unlimited work rights. Students in years 12 and 13 at secondary school can work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. However, if they are under 18, they will need letters of permission from their parents and the school principal to vary the conditions of their dependent child student visa.
Students can check their visa to see if and when they are allowed to work while studying in New Zealand. The visa's conditions, including work rights, are recorded on the eVisa, the visa label in the passport, or in a visa letter. Students must also ensure that any job they accept complies with New Zealand's employment laws and regulations.
International students can work in most types of roles, including casual, part-time, and full-time positions, as long as it does not interfere with their studies. Students can also look for part-time jobs on their college campus, such as working in the college library or cafeteria or assisting professors.
There are several reasons why international students may want to work part-time in New Zealand. Firstly, it can help cover their basic day-to-day expenses, such as travel and food costs. Secondly, it can be a great way to connect with locals outside their campus and become more immersed in the culture. Additionally, working part-time can help students develop essential multi-tasking and time management skills, as they balance their work, study, and social life.
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Work visa conditions
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while studying on a student visa. The type of work and number of hours you can work per week will depend on your visa conditions.
- Part-time work: If your visa conditions allow you to work part-time, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the school year.
- Full-time work: If your visa conditions allow you to work full-time, you can work full-time during all vacations and scheduled breaks, including the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
- Practical experience: If your course requires you to complete practical experience, you will be granted a Student Visa with conditions that allow you to work to complete it.
- English language students: If you are studying English, you may be allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) if you meet certain conditions. These include having an acceptable English language test result (such as an International English Language Testing System certificate with an overall band score of 5.0) that is no more than 2 years old, and studying with a university or education provider assessed as a Category 1 provider by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
- Post-study work: After completing your studies, you may be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa, which will allow you to work in New Zealand for a specified period. The type of work you can do and the length of time you can stay will depend on your qualification level.
- Work visa requirements: To be eligible for a work visa, you must meet certain requirements, such as having an eligible visa and providing evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in New Zealand.
- Restrictions: International students in New Zealand are not allowed to be self-employed or provide commercial sexual services. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement.
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Work rights eligibility
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while studying on a student visa. Your eligibility for work depends on your type and duration of study. The conditions of your visa will determine whether you are allowed to work in New Zealand. If you work when you have no work rights, it is a breach of your visa conditions and may affect your ability to stay in New Zealand or the decision on your next visa application.
To check your eligibility for work rights, the New Zealand Government will look at any English language study you have done on previous student visas. You must meet all of the following criteria:
- You have an acceptable English language test result that is no more than 2 years old (IELTS 5.0 or over)
- 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
- Your 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
- You are not self-employed. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement
If you have completed your studies and your student visa is still valid, you can work full-time if your visa's work condition is either:
- May work full-time during a scheduled vacation
- Work part-time up to 20 hours per week
If you have to complete work experience as part of your training, this is additional to part-time work of 20 hours a week. You may be able to work full-time during the Christmas holidays or scheduled breaks, for example, between semesters.
If you are enrolled in Masters by research or doctoral degree programmes awarded by a New Zealand tertiary institution, there are no restrictions on the hours you can work while studying.
If you plan to live in New Zealand permanently, the Post-study Work Visa provides you with an opportunity to obtain a skilled job and get on a clear pathway for acquiring resident status. A Post Study Work Visa granted on the basis of a bachelor's degree or a qualification at levels 8 to 10 in New Zealand may allow you to work for any employer, in any occupation and in any location in New Zealand.
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Self-employment restrictions
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while studying on a student visa. The type of work and working hours will depend on the student's programme of study, visa type, and visa conditions.
International students in New Zealand are restricted from self-employment. This means that they must work as an employee with an employment agreement and not as an independent contractor. Students must work for an employer, and cannot provide commercial sexual services.
International students must check their visa conditions to ensure they are allowed to work and, if so, for how many hours. Working without an IRD number or a tax code will result in being charged the highest rate of tax. Students must give their IRD number to their employer when they start work.
Students who are self-employed carry out activities on their own, earning their own income. Self-employed people do not need to set up a formal company, but they must register with the government as an employer if they hire workers. They must also meet their tax responsibilities, including deducting PAYE from employees' salaries or wages and sending it to the government during the tax year.
The New Zealand government defines self-employment as:
> "Self-employed people carry out activities on their own, earning their own income. Self-employment can be known by many names, such as being a contractor, sole trader, consultant, or freelancer."
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Work while studying English
International students in New Zealand may be able to work while studying, depending on their visa. 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 the country or your next visa application.
If you are studying English as an international student in New Zealand, you may be allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours a week) if you meet the following criteria:
- You have a valid student visa.
- Your course meets certain conditions, including:
- You have an acceptable English language test result that is no more than 2 years old (IELTS 5.0 or above).
- 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. Shorter English language courses may qualify if they can be counted towards 14 consecutive weeks with the same education provider.
- You are at least 16 years old and enrolled in years 12 or 13 at a secondary school. You may need written permission from your parents and the school principal to vary the conditions of your dependent child student visa.
If you are pursuing a full-time English language course with a duration of 6 months or more, you can work part-time while studying, provided you have an overall band score of at least 5.0 in your IELTS. If your course duration is between 14 and 25 weeks, you can work part-time if your university is recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority as a Category 1 provider.
It is important to maintain a good balance between work and study, and you should discuss your work and study expectations with your supervisor or faculty. You can also seek help from AUT's Employability and Careers team if you need assistance finding a job while studying.
After completing your studies, you may be able to apply for a Post-Study Work Visa, which will allow you to work in a specific job relevant to your studies for up to two more years. Alternatively, if you meet the relevant criteria, you can apply for a Skill Migrant Visa to work in New Zealand permanently.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa.
You must have a valid student visa and comply with your visa conditions for the duration of your study. If you are under 18, you must have written permission from your school and your parents or legal guardian to work. You can work up to 20 hours per week if you're studying full-time.
You may be able to work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Masters by research and PhD students can work as many hours as they like.
No, international students are not allowed to be self-employed. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement.
Working without a visa or breaching your visa conditions can affect your ability to stay in New Zealand and may impact future visa applications.
