27/10/2026
🇳🇿 New Zealand Student Visa Updates
Effective from 27 October 2026
Immigration New Zealand has announced four changes:
✅ Master’s student work rights
Unlimited in-study work rights for master’s-by-research students have been removed. All master’s students will now have the same work rights: 25 hours per week during study and full-time during holidays.
✅ English language assessment
English language ability is a key factor when INZ assesses whether applicants can meet their student visa conditions.
✅Visa processing suspensions
INZ can suspend processing in more circumstances, including while an education provider’s possible non-compliance is being assessed.
✅ More time after course completion
Where student visas would expire one month after the course ends, this period is being extended to two months. The 31 March expiry date remains unchanged.
📌 Always check the conditions recorded on your eVisa.
For guidance on your study plans and visa options, contact Choose New Zealand.
📍 Level 3, 142 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
🌐 📞 +64 22 043 3907
📧 [email protected]
www.choosenewzealand.com
Source: Immigration New Zealand