Part-time work rights for migrant school leavers awaiting residence decisions

Migrant school leavers awaiting the outcome of their family residence application can now enjoy part-time work rights. This policy change, effective from 1 October 2024, provides the same work rights as Year 12 and 13 students on a Dependent Child Student Visa, ensuring fairness for all migrant youth in this category. 

Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible, individuals must: 

• Be aged between 17 and 24. 

• Hold an eligible visitor visa. 

• Have made, or be included in, an eligible family residence application as a dependent child. 

These individuals will be able to work up to 20 hours per week between 1 February and 30 November, and up to 40 hours per week from 1 December to 31 January. These work rights are designed to support migrant school leavers who are in a waiting period for their residence applications. 

How to apply 

Eligible individuals who are on a visitor visa on 1 October 2024 will need to apply for a variation of conditions to gain these work rights. To apply, you’ll need to follow the steps outlined by Immigration New Zealand for visitor visa variation of conditions. This page provides a detailed guide on how to vary visitor visa conditions, including the documents required. 

Further updates and policy details can be accessed on the Immigration New Zealand media page. 

This policy ensures that migrant school leavers awaiting a residence decision can work and support themselves while they navigate the complex immigration process. It aligns the work rights of young migrants with those already available to students on a Dependent Child Student Visa, promoting equal opportunities across the board. 

For further information or specific guidance on how these updates may affect businesses or visa applications, please contact Arno Nothnagel, our Director of New Zealand Immigration, at arno.nothnagel@absoluteimmigration.com.