New Zealand Will Allow Migrant School Leavers to Work Part-Time From October 2024

Key Takeaways

  • Starting in October, migrant school leavers in New Zealand will enjoy access to work.
  • Eligible applicants must fulfil specific requirements before applying for such a right.
  • New Zealand recently has eased work visa rules for partners of some categories of international students.

Migrant school leavers waiting for the outcome of their parents’ residency application in New Zealand will be able to work part-time, the country’s  Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has announced.

The new policy is set to become effective in October 2024, while further details will be provided in the upcoming weeks, VisaGuide.World reports.

Currently, this category of foreign school leavers has no right to work in New Zealand. Minister Stanford said they can stay on visitor visas for long periods as they cannot afford international student costs and are not eligible for skilled work visas.

As I said while in Opposition, this is a critical time in any young person’s life. We want to ensure that migrants aged 17-24 who are onshore, have completed secondary school and applied for residence can continue to contribute and live a meaningful life in New Zealand.

Erica Stanford, New Zealand’s Minister of Immigration

Who Can Apply for Work Rights?

The Ministry of Immigration further explained that migrant school leavers wishing to apply for work rights must fulfil specific requirements.

For instance, eligible migrants must be applicants on an already-lodged application for a Dependent Child Resident Visa, Skilled Migrant Category Visa, or any of the Skilled Migrant Category sub-categories.

In addition, they should have an eligible visitor visa and be a dependent child of a work visa holder, a New Zealand citizen or a resident.

Eligible applicants must also be 17 years old and have finished high school or aged 18 to 24 (inclusive).

Those who qualify will be able to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during the summer holiday in line with work rights available to Year 12 and 13 students holding a Dependent Child Student visa.

This change is part of a more comprehensive work programme to create a smarter immigration system. Getting our immigration settings right is critical to this Government’s plan to rebuild the economy.

Erica Stanford, New Zealand’s Minister of Immigration

Stanford said that more information regarding the date of implementation and application will be announced by August 30, 2024.

New Zealand Relaxes Work Visa Criteria for Partners of Specific Categories of Foreign Students

In addition to the migrant school leavers, New Zealand has recently eased some requirements for spouses of specific categories of international students.

Under the new policy, partners of students studying level 7 or 8 qualifications, per the Green List, can now apply for a work visa with open conditions.

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