New Zealand Ups Student Work Limit to 25 Hours per Week

• Work cap for international students rose from 20 to 25 hours
• Policy now includes exchange and study abroad program students
• NZ aims to double the education sector value to NZ$7.2B by 2034

To enhance its international education sector, New Zealand has raised the part-time work limit for qualifying international students from 20 to 25 hours weekly. The shift in policy is a component of a larger plan to draw more international students, especially as nations such as the U.S. and Australia strengthen their immigration and educational regulations.

The modification also extends work rights during studies to students participating in recognized exchange or study abroad programs, providing them with additional chances to acquire professional experience while learning.

“With international student enrolments steadily increasing since 2023, the government wants to supercharge that growth track,” Education Minister Erica Stanford told Reuters on Monday.

An Indian student, currently pursuing an MBA and requesting anonymity, said, “This will help cover living expenses, but juggling more work and full-time study is exhausting.” He added, “While the extra five hours may help financially, it also increases the risk of burnout. My friends and I worry about the toll it can take on academics and mental health, especially in an already high-pressure environment.”

The update to the policy arrives as New Zealand establishes ambitious objectives for its international education sector. The government's recently revealed plans indicate that the foreign education industry, currently contributing approximately NZ$3.6 billion to the economy, is projected to increase to NZ$7.2 billion within the next decade.

The proposal estimates that enrolment will increase from 83,700 this year to 105,000 by 2027 and reach 119,000 by 2034.

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The execution of these changes aligns with the reinforcement of limits on favored study places. During President Donald Trump's administration, the U.S. enacted stricter regulations on student visas.

Due to housing and infrastructure challenges, Australia has recently implemented a national cap that will restrict the number of new international students to 270,000 in 2025.

Conversely, New Zealand appears to be taking an opposite approach, capitalizing on the chance to expand its educational offerings and attract students who may be deterred by more stringent regulations in other locations.