The New Zealand government has announced a significant policy change, introducing part-time work rights to migrant school leavers aged 17-24 from October 2024. This initiative aims to provide these young individuals with opportunities to gain work experience and contribute to their communities while they await the outcomes of their residency applications.ย
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Eligibility criteriaย ย
To qualify for these part-time work rights, migrant school leavers must meet specific criteria:ย
- Be aged between 17 and 24ย
- Have completed secondary schoolย
- Hold an eligible visitor visaย
- Be a dependent child of a Work Visa holder or a New Zealand citizen/residentย
- Have an already-lodged skilled residence visa or Dependent Child Residence Visa applicationย
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Work hour limitationsย ย
Under this new policy, eligible migrant school leavers are permitted to work:ย
- Up to 20 hours per week during the school yearย
- Up to 40 hours per week during summer breaksย
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Benefits of the policyย ย
This policy change offers several benefits:ย
- Provides financial support and work experience for young migrantsย
- Assists in their integration into the New Zealand workforceย
- Eases the financial burden on migrant families while waiting for residency decisionsย
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Governmentโs perspectiveย ย
The New Zealand government emphasises that this policy aims to support young migrants in becoming productive members of society, helping them to gain valuable work experience and contribute to the economy. This move is part of a broader effort to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for migrant families.ย
