Immigration New Zealand Revises Student Visa Rules in 2026

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced four changes to its student visa programme, effective October 27, 2026. The first change removes unlimited in-study work rights for new master's-by-research students, aligning them with other student visa holders who can work 25 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.

This adjustment reinforces that studying is the primary purpose of a student visa. The second change formalizes English language ability as a key factor in assessing student visa applications.

The third change allows INZ to suspend the processing of student visa applications in a wider range of situations, particularly when a provider is under review for non-compliance. The fourth change extends the period students can remain in New Zealand after completing their courses from one month to two months, providing additional time for graduates to explore further study options or make arrangements to leave the country.