Working while on a student visa | New Zealand Government

<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="no-js" lang="en-NZ" prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns# fb: http://ogp.me/ns/fb# website: http://ogp.me/ns/website#"> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/","20240510064258","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1715323378"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <meta charset="utf-8"/> <link rel="preload" href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/subset/FiraSans-Regular-subset.woff2?m=1715117503" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/subset/FiraSans-Bold-subset.woff2?m=1715117503" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <style> @font-face { font-family: 'Fira'; src: url(/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/subset/FiraSans-Regular-subset.woff2?m=1715117503) format("woff2"), url(/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/subset/FiraSans-Regular-subset.woff?m=1715117503) format("woff"); font-weight: 400; font-display: fallback; } @font-face { font-family: 'Fira'; src: url(/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/subset/FiraSans-Bold-subset.woff2?m=1715117503) format("woff2"), url(/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/subset/FiraSans-Bold-subset.woff?m=1715117503) format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-display: fallback; } </style> <script> if( "fonts" in document ) { var regular = new FontFace("Fira", "url(/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/superset/FiraSans-Regular-superset.woff2?m=1715117503) format('woff2'), url(/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/superset/FiraSans-Regular-superset.woff?m=1715117503) format('woff')"); var bold = new FontFace("Fira", "url(/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/superset/FiraSans-Bold-superset.woff2?m=1715117503) format('woff2'), url(/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/superset/FiraSans-Bold-superset.woff2?m=1715117503) format('woff')", { weight: "700" }); Promise.all([ bold.load(), regular.load() ]).then(function(fonts) { fonts.forEach(function(font) { document.fonts.add(font); }); }); } if(!("fonts" in document) && "head" in document) { var style = document.createElement("style"); // todo: v causing syntax error? style.innerHTML = "@font-face { font-family: 'Fira'; src: url(/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/superset/FiraSans-Regular-superset.woff2?m=1715117503) format('woff2'), url(/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/superset/FiraSans-Regular-superset.woff?m=1715117503) format('woff'); font-weight: 400; font-display: fallback; } @font-face { font-family: 'Fira'; src: url(/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/superset/FiraSans-Bold-superset.woff2?m=1715117503) format('woff2'), url(/resources/themes/dia-theme/fonts/superset/FiraSans-Bold-superset.woff?m=1715117503) format('woff'); font-weight: 700; font-display: fallback; }"; document.head.appendChild(style); } </script> <script> document.documentElement.className = document.documentElement.className.replace("no-js","js"); </script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.google-analytics.com/" crossorigin> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.google-analytics.com/"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.googletagmanager.com/" crossorigin> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.googletagmanager.com/">  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MTS9PPX');</script>  <title> Working while on a student visa | New Zealand Government </title> <meta name="description" content="International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa. Your eVisa or visa sticker in your passport shows whether you can work."> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="BDC1GidWagtZ4CFloZKnpbnGkfer99DVp0vjNbjgRlw"/> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta property="og:title" content="Working while on a student visa"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="New Zealand Government"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"/> <meta property="og:description" content="International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa. Your eVisa or visa sticker in your passport shows whether you can work."/> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_NZ"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/assets/Images/Social/Social-share-default-Govtnz.png"/> <meta property="og:image:url" content="https://www.govt.nz/assets/Images/Social/Social-share-default-Govtnz.png"/> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/png"/> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1200"/> <meta property="og:image:height" content="630"/> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="New Zealand Coat of Arms"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa. Your eVisa or visa sticker in your passport shows whether you can work."/> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@govtnz"/> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@govtnz"> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Working while on a student visa"/> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/assets/Images/Social/Social-share-default-Govtnz.png"/> <meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="New Zealand Coat of Arms"> <base href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/"> <link rel="icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz//resources/themes/dia-theme/images/favicons/favicon.png" type="image/png"> <link rel="icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz//resources/themes/dia-theme/images/favicons/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz//resources/themes/dia-theme/images/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/web/20240510064258cs_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/dist/screen.css?m=1715117503" media="screen"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/web/20240510064258cs_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/dist/print.css?m=1715117503" media="print"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/web/20240510064258cs_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/dist/processpage.css?m=1715117503" media="screen"/>    </head> <body class="pagetype-process2" data-pagetype="ProcessPage2">  <noscript><iframe src="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258if_/https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MTS9PPX" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <a class="skip-to-main-content visuallyhidden focusable internal-link" href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#toplink">Skip to main content</a> <div class="header navbar" role="banner"> <div class="container"> <div class="header-item row"> <img class="print-logo" width="318" height="72" src="/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/images/logo/nzgovt-logo-black.svg?m=1715117503" alt="New Zealand Government"/> <div class="header-item-wrapper col-sm-12"> <div class="logo"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Navigation" data-ga-action="Header-logo" data-ga-label="@attr:href"> <span class="sr-only"><span lang="mi">Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa</span> / </span> <img width="318" height="72" src="/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/images/logo/nzgovt-logo-white.svg?m=1715117503" alt="New Zealand Government"> </a> </div> <div class="mobile-search"> <button type="button" class="submit btn btn-black square-corners mobile-search-toggle " aria-label="Show search" aria-controls="header-search"> <svg class="icon-search-mobile" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="16" height="16" viewbox="0 0 32 32"> <path d="M31.008 27.231l-7.58-6.447c-0.784-0.705-1.622-1.029-2.299-0.998 1.789-2.096 2.87-4.815 2.87-7.787 0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12s-12 5.373-12 12 5.373 12 12 12c2.972 0 5.691-1.081 7.787-2.87-0.031 0.677 0.293 1.515 0.998 2.299l6.447 7.58c1.104 1.226 2.907 1.33 4.007 0.23s0.997-2.903-0.23-4.007zM12 20c-4.418 0-8-3.582-8-8s3.582-8 8-8 8 3.582 8 8-3.582 8-8 8z"></path> </svg> </button> </div> <div id="header-search" class="header-search "> <div role="search" class="header-search-form"> <form id="search-form" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/search"> <div class="search-controls"> <input name="q" class="square-corners" id="searchterm" value="" type="search" autocapitalize="off" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off"/> <label for="searchterm" class="search-label entered"> Search Govt.nz </label> <button type="submit" class="submit btn btn-orange square-corners" aria-label="Search Govt.nz"> <svg class="icon-search" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="16" height="16" viewbox="0 0 32 32"> <path d="M31.008 27.231l-7.58-6.447c-0.784-0.705-1.622-1.029-2.299-0.998 1.789-2.096 2.87-4.815 2.87-7.787 0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12s-12 5.373-12 12 5.373 12 12 12c2.972 0 5.691-1.081 7.787-2.87-0.031 0.677 0.293 1.515 0.998 2.299l6.447 7.58c1.104 1.226 2.907 1.33 4.007 0.23s0.997-2.903-0.23-4.007zM12 20c-4.418 0-8-3.582-8-8s3.582-8 8-8 8 3.582 8 8-3.582 8-8 8z"></path> </svg> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content " role="main"> <div class="banner-link breadcrumbs "> <div class="container"> <nav class="nav-breadcrumbs inline-details" aria-label="Breadcrumbs"> <ol> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/" class="ga-track-nav-breadcrumbs">Home</a> <span aria-hidden="true">/</span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/" class="ga-track-nav-breadcrumbs">Immigration and visas</a> <span aria-hidden="true">/</span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/" class="ga-track-nav-breadcrumbs">Get a New Zealand student visa</a> <span aria-hidden="true">/</span> </li> <li aria-current="page">Working while on a student visa</li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <noscript> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="callout-note noscript"> Your browser currently has JavaScript turned off, which means that www.govt.nz might not display properly on your device. It's easy to turn JavaScript on - <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://turnonjs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer external">find out how to enable JavaScript in your browser</a>. </div> </div> </div> </noscript> <div class="container page-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3 sidenav"> <div class="skip-link"> <a class="skip-to-main-content visuallyhidden focusable internal-link" href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#toplink">Skip to main content</a> </div> <div class="block-left "> <div class="SubHubNavigationPageFeature page-feature"> <nav class="hidden-md hidden-lg mobile-sub-navigation nojs-sub-navigation--is-visible" aria-labelledby="MobileSubNavigationHeading"> <h2 id="MobileSubNavigationHeading" class="mobile-sub-navigation__heading"> <button class="mobile-sub-navigation__toggle" role="none"> <span class="mobile-sub-navigation__title">Get a New Zealand student visa</span> </button> </h2> <div id="mobile-sub-nav-menu" class="mobile-sub-navigation__menu"> <ul class="sub-navigation"> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/when-you-need-an-nz-student-visa/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/when-you-need-an-nz-student-visa/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> When you need an NZ student visa </a> </li> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/before-you-apply-for-a-student-visa/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/before-you-apply-for-a-student-visa/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> Before you apply for a student visa </a> </li> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/applying-for-a-student-visa/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/applying-for-a-student-visa/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> Apply for a student visa </a> </li> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/renewing-your-student-visa/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/renewing-your-student-visa/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> Renewing your student visa </a> </li> <li class="sub-navigation__item" aria-current="page">Working while on a student visa</li> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/changing-your-study-plans/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/changing-your-study-plans/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> Changing your study plans </a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> <nav class="hidden-xs hidden-sm desktop-subhub-navigation" aria-labelledby="SubHubNavigationHeading"> <div class="sub-hub"> <h2 id="SubHubNavigationHeading" class="imitate-h4 sub-hub-title"> <a class="sub-hub-title" href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/">Get a New Zealand student visa</a> </h2> </div> <ul class="sub-navigation"> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/when-you-need-an-nz-student-visa/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/when-you-need-an-nz-student-visa/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> When you need an NZ student visa </a> </li> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/before-you-apply-for-a-student-visa/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/before-you-apply-for-a-student-visa/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> Before you apply for a student visa </a> </li> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/applying-for-a-student-visa/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/applying-for-a-student-visa/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> Apply for a student visa </a> </li> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/renewing-your-student-visa/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/renewing-your-student-visa/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> Renewing your student visa </a> </li> <li class="sub-navigation__item" aria-current="page">Working while on a student visa</li> <li class="sub-navigation__item"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/changing-your-study-plans/" class="sub-navigation__link" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Lefthand Navigation" data-ga-action="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/changing-your-study-plans/" data-ga-label="/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/"> Changing your study plans </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="ContactPageFeature page-feature hidden-xs hidden-sm"> <aside> <div class="responsible-agencies"> <h2 class="imitate-h4"> Contact </h2> <ul class="links-list"> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/immigration-new-zealand/" class="ga-track-engage-govt-dir">Immigration New Zealand</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/inland-revenue/" class="ga-track-engage-govt-dir">Inland Revenue</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/education-new-zealand/" class="ga-track-engage-govt-dir">Education New Zealand</a> </li> </ul> </div> </aside> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-7 col-md-offset-1 ga-content-container main-content hide-step-numbers"> <div class="title-row"> <h1 id="toplink" tabindex="-1">Working while on a student visa</h1> <p class="page-description">International students in New Zealand may be able to work while on a student visa. Your eVisa or visa sticker in your passport shows whether you can work.</p> </div> <div class="main"> <nav class="process-step-nav" aria-labelledby="process-step-nav-title"> <h2 id="process-step-nav-title">On this page</h2> <ol role="list"> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#345">Tertiary students</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#348">English-language students</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#351">High-school students</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#354">Work you cannot do while on a student visa</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#357">If you work when you’re not allowed</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#360">Get an IRD number if you’re going to work</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/#363">Find a job</a></li> </ol> </nav> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="345">Tertiary students</h2> <p>Tertiary students, for example, university or polytech students — may be able to work part time during semesters and full time during the holidays.</p> <h3>Part-time work</h3> <p>You can work up to 20 hours a week if you’re studying full time and your course:</p> <ul> <li>is at least 2 academic years long</li> <li>results in a <abbr>NZ</abbr> qualification at level 4 or above on the <abbr title="New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework">NZQCF</abbr></li> <li>is at least 1 academic year long and is part of an approved tertiary-student exchange programme.</li> </ul> <p>You can still work part time if you’re studying part time:</p> <ul> <li>for a course that gives you points towards the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, or</li> <li>in the final semester of a programme that is at least 2 academic years long.</li> </ul> <p>If you have to complete work experience as part of your training, this is additional to part-time work of 20 hours a week.</p> <h3>Full-time work</h3> <p>You may be able to work full time during the Christmas holidays or scheduled breaks, for example, between semesters.</p> <h4>Scheduled breaks</h4> <p>You can work full time during scheduled breaks if:</p> <ul> <li>you study full time for at least 1 academic year</li> <li>your course is worth at least 120 credits </li> <li>your course has a minimum of 2 semesters over at least 8 months.</li> </ul> <h4>Christmas and New Year holidays</h4> <p>You can work full time during the Christmas and New Year period if:</p> <ul> <li>you’re studying full time</li> <li>your course has a minimum of 2 semesters during at least 8 months.</li> </ul> <h3>If you’re studying for a masters by research or a <abbr title="Doctor of Philosophy">PhD</abbr></h3> <p>Masters by research and <abbr>PhD</abbr> students can work as many hours as they like.</p> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="348">English-language students</h2> <h3>If your course is 24 weeks or longer</h3> <p>You can work up to 20 hours each week if:</p> <ul> <li>you’re studying full time</li> <li>the main reason for your study is to improve your English</li> <li>you have an acceptable English Language test result that is no more than 2 years old, such as an International English Language Testing System (<abbr>IELTS</abbr>) certificate with an overall band score of 5.0 — you’ll need to provide this with your application.</li> </ul> <h3>If your course is 14 weeks or longer</h3> <p>You can work up to 20 hours each week if you’re studying English full time at a university or an education provider that has been assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as a Category 1 provider.</p> <h3>If your course is less than 14 weeks</h3> <p>You may be able to work if you have studied English on a previous student visa and your new course:</p> <ul> <li>follows on from the previous one</li> <li>is with the same education provider.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="351">High-school students</h2> <p>Students in years 12 and 13 at secondary school can work up to 20 hours a week during the school year and full time in the Christmas and New Year holiday period.</p> <p>If you’re under 18, you’ll need letters giving you permission to work from both your:</p> <ul> <li>school</li> <li>parent or legal guardian.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="354">Work you cannot do while on a student visa</h2> <p>International students are not allowed to be self-employed. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement.</p> <p>You cannot provide commercial sexual services. This means you cannot:</p> <ul> <li>work as a prostitute</li> <li>operate a New Zealand prostitution business</li> <li>invest in a prostitution business.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="357">If you work when you’re not allowed</h2> <p>Working when your visa does not allow you to work is a breach of your visa conditions.</p> <p>This means:</p> <ul> <li>you may have to leave New Zealand</li> <li>any future visa applications you make may be affected.</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/already-have-a-visa/managing-your-visa-and-passport/deportation-liability">Deportation and how you can appeal — Immigration New Zealand</a></p> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="360">Get an IRD number if you’re going to work</h2> <p>You’ll need an <abbr>IRD</abbr> number if you’re going to work. Apply for an <abbr>IRD</abbr> number from Inland Revenue after you get your visa.</p> <p>Give your <abbr>IRD</abbr> number to your employer when you start work. Use it for all of your New Zealand tax matters.</p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.ird.govt.nz/managing-my-tax/ird-numbers/ird-numbers-for-individuals/new-arrival-to-new-zealand---ird-number-application">New arrival to New Zealand - <abbr>IRD</abbr> number application — Inland Revenue </a></p> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="363">Find a job</h2> <p>Make sure you have checked your work rights in your visa before applying for a job.</p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/options/study/working-during-after-your-study/working-on-a-student-visa">Working on a student visa — Immigration New Zealand</a></p> <h3>Advice and tips for finding a job</h3> <p>Check out the New Zealand Education website for information about finding a job in <abbr>NZ</abbr> as an international student.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/discover-new-zealand/working-in-nz/working-on-a-student-visa">Work on a student visa</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/discover-new-zealand/working-in-nz/find-a-part-time-job">Find a part-time job</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/discover-new-zealand/working-in-nz/employee-rights">Employee rights</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/discover-new-zealand/working-in-nz/getting-paid-and-tax">Getting paid and tax</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/discover-new-zealand/working-in-nz/problems-at-work">Problems at work</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/discover-new-zealand/working-in-nz/employability-skills">Employability skills</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="block-bottom "> <h2 class="sr-only">Utility links and page information</h2> <div class="ContactPageFeature page-feature hidden-md hidden-lg"> <aside> <div class="responsible-agencies"> <h2 class="imitate-h4"> Contact </h2> <ul class="links-list"> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/immigration-new-zealand/" class="ga-track-engage-govt-dir">Immigration New Zealand</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/inland-revenue/" class="ga-track-engage-govt-dir">Inland Revenue</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/education-new-zealand/" class="ga-track-engage-govt-dir">Education New Zealand</a> </li> </ul> </div> </aside> </div> <div class="PrintPageFeature page-feature"> <div class="print-container"> <button type="button" id="print-page-button" hidden> Print </button> </div> </div> <div class="SharePageFeature page-feature"> <div class="social"> <p class="social__heading">Share by</p> <ul class="social__list"> <li class="social__list__item"><a class="social__list__link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/mailto:/?subject=I%20wanted%20to%20share%20this%20page%20with%20you%20from%20www.govt.nz%20&body=Working while on a student visa%20%0D%0Ahttps://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Email</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="FeedbackPageFeature page-feature"> <noscript> <div class="inline-feedback-form"> <div class="error-container"> <p> JavaScript is currently turned off in your browser — this means you cannot submit the feedback form. It's easy to turn on JavaScript — <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258/https://turnonjs.com/">Learn how to turn on JavaScript in your web browser.</a> <br/><br/> If you're unable to turn on JavaScript — email your feedback to govt.nz@dia.govt.nz . <br/> </p> </div> </div> </noscript> <form class="inline-feedback-form" id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm" action="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/PageFeedbackForm/" method="POST" enctype="application/x-www-form-urlencoded" novalidate="novalidate" autocomplete="false"> <p id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_error" class="message " style="display: none;"></p> <div id="Group1" class="field field CompositeField fieldgroup form-group--no-label"> <div class="middleColumn fieldgroup"> <div class="fieldgroup-field first last odd"> <div id="Screen1" class="field CompositeField fieldgroup application-step form-group--no-label ">  <fieldset id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_PageRelevance_holder" class="optionset-holder" role="group" tabindex="-1"> <legend>Was this page helpful?</legend> <div class="wrap-form-item"> <label for="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_PageRelevance_Yes"> <input id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_PageRelevance_Yes" type="radio" name="PageRelevance" value="Yes"/> Yes </label> <label for="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_PageRelevance_No"> <input id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_PageRelevance_No" type="radio" name="PageRelevance" value="No"/> No </label> <label for="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_PageRelevance_Partly"> <input id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_PageRelevance_Partly" type="radio" name="PageRelevance" value="Partly"/> Partly </label> </div> </fieldset> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="inline-feedback-form__wrap-2nd-fieldset"> <div id="Group2" class="field field CompositeField fieldgroup form-group--no-label"> <div class="middleColumn fieldgroup"> <div class="fieldgroup-field first last odd"> <fieldset id="Screen2" role="group" aria-describedby="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_Screen2_description" class="field CompositeField fieldgroup application-step optional-text-fields"> <legend>Thanks, do you want to tell us more?</legend> <div id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_Screen2_description" class="description"> <p> Do not enter personal information. All fields are optional. </p> </div> <label for="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_WhyComeHere">What did you come here to do?</label> <div class="wrap-form-item"> <textarea name="WhyComeHere" class="htmltextarea" id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_WhyComeHere" rows="2" cols="20" maxlength="5000"></textarea> </div> <label for="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_WhatWasWrong">What needs fixing?</label> <div class="wrap-form-item"> <select name="WhatWasWrong" class="htmldropdown" id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_WhatWasWrong"> <option value="" selected="selected">Select the reason </option> <option value="Information is missing">Information is missing </option> <option value="It's outdated or wrong">It's outdated or wrong </option> <option value="It's hard to understand">It's hard to understand </option> <option value="It isn't where I expect it to be">It isn't where I expect it to be </option> <option value="It's inaccessible to me">It's inaccessible to me </option> <option value="Links are broken">Links are broken </option> <option value="Other">Other </option> </select> </div> <label for="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_HowCanWeImprove">How can we improve this information?</label> <div class="wrap-form-item"> <textarea name="HowCanWeImprove" class="htmltextarea" id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_HowCanWeImprove" rows="2" cols="20" maxlength="5000"></textarea> </div> <input type="hidden" name="Pageurl" value="browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa" class="hidden" id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_Pageurl"/> </fieldset> </div> </div> </div> <input type="hidden" id="Nocaptcha-UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm" data-sitekey="6LeYASEjAAAAANVL8j9ZWas8h1FV8a_mOuXCTKh1" data-action="submit" name="g-recaptcha-response"/> <noscript> <p>You must enable JavaScript to submit this form</p> </noscript> <div class="Actions"> <div class="wrap-action-input"> <input type="submit" name="action_userFeedbackSubmit" value="Send feedback" class="action" id="UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm_action_userFeedbackSubmit"/> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> <div class="PageLastUpdatedPageFeature page-feature"> <p>Last updated <time datetime="2024-04-16">16 April 2024</time></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer" aria-label="Footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="container container__links"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="info-section"> <h2>Contact NZ government</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/"> A-Z of government agencies</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/about/contact-details-by-topic/"> Contact details by topic</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="info-section"> <h2>About this website</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/about/about-this-website/"> About Govt.nz</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/about/about-this-website/feedback-about-the-govt-nz-website/"> Feedback about Govt.nz</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/about/about-this-website/govt-nz-scope/"> The scope of Govt.nz</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="info-section"> <h2>Using this website</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/about/about-this-website/accessibility-statement/"> Accessibility </a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/about/using-this-website/copyright-and-attribution/"> Copyright</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/about/using-this-website/privacy/"> Privacy</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/about/using-this-website/terms-of-use/"> Terms of use</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container container__logo"> <div class="footer-logo"> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/" class="ga-track-logo-footer-aog" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Navigation" data-ga-action="Footer-logo" data-ga-label="@attr:href"> <span class="sr-only"><span lang="mi">Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa</span> / </span> <img width="318" height="72" src="/web/20240510064258im_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/images/logo/nzgovt-logo-white.svg?m=1715117503" alt="New Zealand Government" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <a href="/web/20240510064258/https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/working-while-on-a-student-visa/" id="shielded-logo" aria-label="Shielded" hidden> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" width="40" height="40" viewbox="0 0 192 192"><circle cx="96" cy="96" r="96" fill="#445e5c"></circle><circle cx="96" cy="95" r="87" fill="#fff"></circle><path fill="#445e5c" d="M96 11a84 84 0 0 0 0 168z"></path><g fill="none" stroke="#fff" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="3"><path stroke-dasharray="6" d="M96 50.5H48a2.5 2.5 0 0 0-2.5 2.5v70a2.5 2.5 0 0 0 2.5 2.5h48"></path><path stroke-dasharray="7 6" d="M99.76 135.5h-43a2 2 0 0 0-1.76 1.11l-4 8a2 2 0 0 0 .08 1.94c.37.6 1 .95 3.71.95h44.79"></path></g><g fill="none" stroke="#445e5c"><path stroke-width="6" d="M96 52h47a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v70a1 1 0 0 1-1 1H96"></path><path stroke-width="3" d="M96 135.5h39a2 2 0 0 1 1.79 1.11l4 8a2 2 0 0 1-1.79 2.89H96"></path><path stroke-width="2" d="M96 141h43m-37-5v5m8.5-5 .5 5m8-5 1 5m7-5 4 11"></path></g></svg> </a> </div> </div> <script type="application/javascript" src="/web/20240510064258js_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/dist/scripts.min.js?m=1715117503"></script> <script type="application/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258js_/https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=6LeYASEjAAAAANVL8j9ZWas8h1FV8a_mOuXCTKh1&onload=noCaptchaFormRender"></script> <script type="application/javascript" src="/web/20240510064258js_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/vendor/undefinedoffset/silverstripe-nocaptcha/javascript/NocaptchaField_v3.js?m=1695659826"></script> <script type="application/javascript">//<![CDATA[ var _noCaptchaForms=_noCaptchaForms || [];_noCaptchaForms.push('UserFeedbackForm_PageFeedbackForm'); //]]></script> <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064258js_/https://staticcdn.co.nz/embed/embed.js"></script> <script> (function () { window.onload = function(){ var frameName = new ds07o6pcmkorn({ openElementId: "#shielded-logo", modalID: "modal", }); frameName.init(); } document.getElementById('shielded-logo').removeAttribute("hidden"); })(); </script> <p id="print-date" class="print-date print-only"><span class="print-date__title">Date printed</span> 10 May 2024</p> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Working while on a student visa | New Zealand Government