Working in New Zealand

Before entering New Zealand to study, international students will need to apply for student visas or permits. Without a visa, students will not be able to enter the country nor will they be able to enrol into an educational provider. However, planned courses that last three months or less only require international students to apply for a visitor’s permit.

When applying for a visa or permit, students need to provide evidence for the following (though not limited to):

• A current and valid passport
• An offer from an approved educational institution
• Providing self with financial stability
• Meeting of New Zealand’s health and character standards

The New Zealand government preserves the right to withdraw any student visas if the set conditions, which come with accepting a visa or permit, are infringed.

Working in New Zealand - International students

Students on visas may be permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during a term and/or full time during vacation periods, provided they are studying full-time and enrolled in a course that is 12 months or longer, need experience within a working environment to finish a course or if:

• They are enrolled full-time in a two year academic course at a tertiary institution or a private training organisation
• The qualification they have nearly completed would be eligible for points under the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category
• They are a full-time student in the final two years at a secondary school and have satisfactory proof of permission from both the school and parents.
• They have completed a tertiary level equivalent of one academic year, as  part of an approved tertiary student exchange program
• They are studying full-time for at least six months while registered at a private training establishment or tertiary institute, and have satisfactorily proven that the main focus of your studies is to develop English language skills. As evidence of this, students must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of 5.0 or above (General or Academic Module)

For students studying on a part-time basis the conditions are restricted to the following:

• They are studying for at least three years and the course requires them to participate in work experience
• They have nearly completed a New Zealand course that would be eligible for points under the Skilled Migrant Category
• They are studying for a maximum time of nine months, you have proof that the course fees have been paid, the course meets all New Zealand’s foreign student policy standards and you meet Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requirements
• Important Note: In New Zealand it is against the law for persons on any form of a temporary permit to provide or participate in commercial sexual services in any way.