The new criteria for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is being updated by the New Zealand government. This will directly benefit students who want to study and work during their stay in New Zealand. The changes to in-study work rights for students will be updated from October 9, 2023, when the new criteria for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa come into effect.

Many students who travel to New Zealand to study are interested in finding employment while there. While a study visa is necessary to enroll in a university overseas, the student is also permitted to work and make money while they are in New Zealand. New Zealand law permits working while on a student visa, but there are requirements that must be followed.

You might be permitted to work up to 20 hours per week in a part-time capacity, as well as all scheduled holidays and the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods. If you are permitted to work in New Zealand, your employment privileges will either be noted on your eVisa, the visa label in your passport, or in a letter to you.

However, it is a violation of the terms of your visa if you work when you are not authorized to. This may influence the decision regarding your subsequent visa application or your eligibility to remain in New Zealand.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa – Changes

References to Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa in the in-study work instructions will be removed and instead, state the eligible qualification’s program level and type.

References to the requirement for a course to be relevant to the ANZSCO occupation at skill levels 3-5 will also be removed from instructions.

As a result of these changes, all students studying a full-time program resulting in a New Zealand qualification at Level 4 or above on the NZQCF will be eligible for in-study work rights. Training schemes and micro-credentials are not qualifications and remain ineligible for in-study work rights.

Students generally need to be studying full time to be eligible for a student visa and in-study work rights.

Exceptions for students who are:

Completing a course of study that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, or

In their final semester of a programme that is of at least 2 academic years’ duration.

This allows students who may have a part-time study load in their last semester to remain on a student visa. These instructions will also be updated to reference level 4 qualifications and higher.

Changes will be made to immigration instructions to specify that all qualifications at Level 4 and above on the NZCQF will be eligible for in-study work rights. This is to maintain in-study work eligibility once the higher Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa qualification threshold comes into effect on 9 October 2023.