Update to Work Rights for Partners of Students in Green List Occupations

Update to Work Rights for Partners of Students in Green List Occupations

The New Zealand government has announced an expansion of eligibility for work visas for partners of students studying towards qualifications in occupations listed on the Green List. This change comes into effect immediately.

Key points:

• Partners of students enrolled in level 7 or 8 qualifications specified on the Green List can now apply for a work visa with open conditions, allowing them greater flexibility in employment opportunities. 

• The Green List has been updated to include the main Bachelor degrees and Bachelor Honours qualifications that lead to registration for certain occupations, where registration is a requirement instead of specific New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) qualifications.

• This update allows student visa holders studying for these registration qualifications to now sponsor their partner’s application for a Partner of a Student Work Visa.

Additional benefit for dependents:

Partners who qualify for a Partner of a Student Work Visa under this update will have their dependent school-aged children classified as domestic students. This allows the children to apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa, exempting them from tuition fees at New Zealand schools.

This policy change aligns with the government’s focus on attracting skilled immigrants to fill positions in critical occupations. It offers a pathway for partners of students to contribute to the workforce while their partner completes their studies.

For any questions regarding this update or any further immigration matters, please contact Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director arno.nothnagel@absoluteimmigration.com