New Zealand Student Visa Rules: Changes from 27 October 2026

Updated: 27 October 2026

Immigration New Zealand has announced four student visa changes effective from 27 October 2026.

What has changed?

• Master’s students’ work rights: Unlimited work during study has been removed for research master’s students. All master’s students now have the same conditions: 25 hours per week during study and full-time during holidays.
• English language ability: Immigration instructions now explicitly identify English ability as an important consideration when assessing whether a student can comply with their visa conditions.
• Processing suspensions: INZ can formally pause student visa processing in more situations, including while it determines whether an education provider is non-compliant.
• Time after course completion: Where visa expiry is calculated from the course end date, the period increases from one month to two months. The alternative 31 March expiry date remains unchanged.

What should students do?

Check your own eVisa conditions and expiry date before changing your work hours or making plans after study. Do not assume an existing visa has automatically changed.

Official source: Immigration New Zealand: Changes to student visas, published 27 October 2026.