Changes to School-Leaver Work Rights

Back in July, the Government announced changes to work rights for migrant school leavers - expanding what is currently available. Please see here for the earlier announcement: Migrant school leavers to get part-time work rights

INZ has announced now that from 1 October 2024, these changes will take place (along with the previously announced fee rise). Eligible applicants who are on a visitor visa, will be able to apply to vary the conditions of their visas to allow further work rights from the 1st of October. Check here to see how this is done: Changing the conditions of a visitor visa.

To be eligible to apply for this variation, you must be included in one of the following residence applications:

• Dependent Child Resident Visa

• Transport Sector Work to Residence Visa

• Skilled Migrant Category Visa (either current or pre-October 2023 visa criteria)

• Straight to Residence Visa

• Work to Residence Visa

• Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa

And:

• already have or be eligible to apply for a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa, or Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa, and

• be 18 to 24 years old (inclusive), or 17 years old and have evidence of high school completion.

Eligible applicants will be able to work up to:

• 20 hours per week between 1 February and 30 November, and

• 40 hours per week between 1 December and 31 January.

The information provided here is of a general nature only, and is not intended to amount to legal or immigration advice.