Understanding Work Rights for International Students in New Zealand
- By Vineet Bhardwaj
- Immigration, Immigration Changes, Immigration New Zealand, New Zealand, New Zealand Student Visa, Student Visa, Study Visa
- 0 comments
Studying in New Zealand can be a truly rewarding experience. Not only will you gain valuable academic knowledge, but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore a beautiful country and immerse yourself in its culture. However, for your smooth journey and to avoid immigration glitches, it’s important to understand your work rights as a student, especially during vacation and summer holidays. In this blog, we’ll explore the different scenarios that determine whether you can work full-time during specific periods. We’ll also provide some additional information about work rights during the pre-course and post-course periods for students in New Zealand.
Work Rights mentioned on your visa
Let’s start with the wording on your student visa. A student visa granted with work rights should have the following conditions.
- May work up to 20 hours per week.
- May work full-time during summer vacation.
- May work full-time during scheduled vacations.
Now, you can apply your situation to the scenarios listed below and find out whether or not you can work full-time during a particular period.
Scenario 1
Completed Course in September 2024, Visa Valid until October 2024
Student wants to work full-time from the course end date to the expiry of the visa: Suppose you have completed your course in September 2024 and your visa is valid until October 2024, you are allowed to work only up to 20 hours per week. It’s because the period after course completion is not considered a vacation (summer or scheduled). Therefore, full-time work rights do not apply during this time.
Scenario 2
Completed Course in November 2024, Visa Valid until March 2025
Student wants to work full-time from the course end date to the expiry of the visa: Suppose you completed your course in November 2024, and your visa is valid until March 2025. In this case, you are entitled to work full-time from the course end date until the expiry of your visa. The reason is that the course finishes during the summer vacation period and your visa covers this period, so you can take advantage of full-time work rights.
Note for students intending to apply Post-Study Work Visa: If you plan to apply for a post-study work visa (PSWV) after your student visa expires, it is recommended that you submit your PSWV application well in advance of your student visa expiry to avoid any problems with employment. If you are put on an interim visa, all employment, including part-time work, will not be allowed.
Scenario 3
Course Completion in June 2025, Visa Valid until July 2025
Last day of Semester 2 is mid-Nov 2024. Course will resume with Semester 1 in mid-Feb 2025. Student wants to work full-time from mid-Nov 2024 to mid-Feb 2025: After the course ends in June 2025, you can work up to 20 hours per week until the expiry of your visa. Similar to Scenario 1, the period after course completion is not considered a vacation, so full-time work rights do not apply. You can work full-time from mid-November 2024 to mid-February 2025. This period is considered both summer and scheduled vacation as it aligns with your provider’s term (semester) break.
Scenario 4
Course Completion in June 2025, Visa Valid until July 2025
Last day of the summer school is mid-Dec 2024 and resumes mid-Jan 2025. Student wants to work full-time from Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 because it is their mid-semester break: If your course completion date is in June 2025, your visa is valid until July 2025. Firstly, from mid-December 2024 to mid-January 2025 (your mid-semester break), you can work full-time as it is considered both summer and scheduled vacation. Secondly, after the course ends in June 2025, you can work up to 20 hours per week until the expiry of your visa. Again, as in Scenario 1, the period after course completion does not qualify for full-time work rights.
Scenario 5
Course Completion in November 2024, Visa Valid until March 2025
First semester starts in Feb 2024 and ends in Jun 2024 but students will have a mid-semester break from mid to end April. Student wants to work full-time from Feb 2024 to Jun 2024: Throughout the semester, you can work up to 20 hours per week. However, during the mid-semester break (mid to end April), you can work full-time as it is considered a scheduled vacation.
The above information is summarized in the table below:
Source: INZ
| Scenario | Hours of work allowed | Rationale |
| Student completed the course in Sep 2024 and visa is valid until Oct 2024. Student wants to work full-time from the course end date to the expiry of the visa. | Student can work 20 hours per week from course end date to the expiry of the visa. | The period after course completion is not considered to be a vacation (summer or scheduled), so full-time work rights do not apply. |
| Student completed the course in Nov 2024 and visa is valid until 31 Mar 2025. Student wants to work full-time from the course end date to the expiry of the visa. | Student can work full-time from course end date to the expiry of the visa. | The course finishes during the period considered to be summer vacation and their visa takes them over the summer vacation period. See note at the end of the table. |
| Course completion date is Jun 2025 and visa is valid until Jul 2025. Last day of Semester 2 is mid-Nov 2024. Course will resume with Semester 1 in mid-Feb 2025. Student wants to work full-time from mid-Nov 2024 to mid-Feb 2025. | Student can work full-time from mid-Nov 2024 to mid-Feb 2025. | Nov 2024 to Feb 2025 is considered both summer and scheduled vacation as it is the provider’s term (semester) break. |
| Student can work 20 hours per week from course end date in June 2025 to the expiry of the visa. | The period after course completion is not considered to be a vacation (summer or scheduled), so full-time work rights do not apply. | |
| Course completion date is Jun 2025 and visa is valid until Jul 2025. Last day of the summer school is mid-Dec 2024 and resumes mid-Jan 2025. Student wants to work full-time from Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 because it is their mid-semester break. | Student can work full-time from mid-Dec 2024 to mid-Jan 2025. | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 is considered both summer and scheduled vacation because the student is enrolled in summer school. |
| Student can work 20 hours per week from course end date in June 2025 to the expiry of the visa. | The period after course completion is not considered to be a vacation (summer or scheduled), so full-time work rights do not apply. | |
| Course completion date is Nov 2024 and visa is valid until 31 Mar 2025. First semester starts in Feb 2024 and ends in Jun 2024 but students will have a mid-semester break from mid to end April. Student wants to work full-time from Feb 2024 to Jun 2024 | Student can only work 20 hours per week throughout the semester but may work full- time between mid to end April. | Mid to end April is a scheduled vacation as it is the provider’s term (semester) break. |
Additional Information
It’s also important to understand the work rights granted to students both before they commence their course and after they have completed the course requirements.
This table provides a clear overview of the work rights granted to students before and after their course has started or finished, considering different categories of work rights.
| Work rights granted: 20 hours per week | Work rights granted: Summer/scheduled vacations | Work rights granted: Full time work rights (Masters by research or Doctoral degree students) | Work rights granted: Full time work rights for practical experience | |
| Before the course has started | Student may work | Student may not work | Student may work | Student may not work |
| After the course has finished | Student may work until their visa expiry date | Student may work until their visa expiry date | Student may work | Student may not work |
- The period before a course has started is not considered to be a vacation.
- A course is considered to be completed when you have finished all of the requirements for the course, including assignments, exams, and any practical experience. This may be before the end date of the course.
- If you are able to work after your course is completed, you can do so regardless of whether you plan to return to study or not.
Conclusion
It’s important to know your work rights as a student in New Zealand during vacation and summer holidays. This will help you balance your studies and work commitments. The specific scenarios in this blog will help you determine if you’re eligible for full-time work or limited to part-time hours. Make sure you follow the conditions of your student visa and apply for a post-study work visa as soon as you’re able to. By staying informed and following the rules, you can have a rewarding educational experience and gain valuable work experience in New Zealand.
Vineet Bhardwaj is a fully Licensed Immigration Adviser
Licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA).
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