On October 27, 2026, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) implemented new student visa regulations affecting international student employment rights and compliance checks.
Reduced Work Rights for Research Master’s Students
New rules restrict research master’s students applying for student visas to working no more than 25 hours per week during academic terms, aligning with existing limits on most other master’s-level students. Full-time work remains permitted during approved holiday periods. Doctoral students retain unlimited rights to work while enrolled. These changes remove previous unlimited work entitlements for research master’s students and emphasize that studying must be the primary visa purpose.
Enhanced English-Language Proficiency Assessment
INZ has updated its visa eligibility criteria to include English-language
proficiency as a key factor in assessing applicants’ ability to meet visa conditions. Immigration officers may request evidence of English skills through tests like IELTS or TOEFL. However, no mandatory test or fixed minimum score has been introduced. This adjustment aims to evaluate whether applicants are likely to succeed academically and comply with visa requirements more explicitly.
Expanded Suspension Powers for Visa Processing
Immigration New Zealand now holds broader authority to suspend student visa processing when investigating education providers’ compliance with regulations. Under the revised rules, visa applications can be paused even while inquiries about an institution’s status remain unresolved. This may cause delays for students
applying through institutions facing regulatory scrutiny, although the duration and specific criteria for suspensions are unspecified.
Extension of Post-Study Visa Expiry
The post-study visa validity period has been increased from one month to two months for student visas that expire shortly after course completion. This extension allows international students additional time to prepare subsequent immigration or study applications or to organise departure from New Zealand. The fixed March 31 visa expiry date for some students remains unchanged. It is currently unclear whether this extension applies to existing visa holders or only to new applicants.
These modifications aim to preserve the integrity of New Zealand’s student
visa framework while offering improved flexibility to students completing their studies, according to statements from Immigration New Zealand.
