Can I work on a student visa in New Zealand? Yes, New Zealand allowed the international students to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during all scheduled holidays and the Christmas and New Year holiday period. It helps the students to manage their expenditure if they earn something during studying a course.
What will be your visa conditions?
Where can I find my work rights? Your work rights will be recorded in your E Visa or the visa label in your passport or explained to you in a letter. If your visa conditions do not allow you to work then you should not do it. It will create complications if you breach any rule set by the immigration department. You may have to leave New Zealand. It is better to hire experienced education and career consultants to know your work rights in detail.
Types of work
Part-time work
In this type of work, your visa allows you to work up to 20 hours a week. The condition is you are doing a full-time course that
- Have at least 2 academic years duration or
- Have at least 1 academic year in duration and part of an approved tertiary student exchange scheme or
- Results in a New Zealand qualification which gains points under the Skilled Migrant Category.
Full-time work
You are allowed a full-time work permit during scheduled breaks while study in New Zealand. But you must fulfil the following conditions:
- For at least 1 academic year you are studying full-time
- The course that you choose should be worth at least 120 credits, and
- The last one your course is delivered for at least 8 months.
You are allowed to work full-time on the occasion of Christmas and New Year holiday period if:
- You are studying full-time, and
- Your course has a minimum duration of 2 semesters for at least 8 months.
Work conditions for PhD and Masters by research students
If you are pursuing a master’s by research or doctoral degree programme awarded by a New Zealand tertiary institution then you are allowed to work for how many hours you can.
English language student’s work conditions
Are you an English language student in New Zealand having a valid student visa? If yes, then your visa conditions will allow you to work for up to 20 hours a week. Your chosen course must meet certain conditions set by the immigration department.