New Zealand expands work rights for dependants of foreign students

While an international student is enrolled in a course in New Zealand with level 7 or 8 qualifications, their accompanying dependents can apply for a Partner of Student Work Visa in New Zealand.

New Zealand Immigration Department has updated the work rights for dependents of international students. Now, the eligibility for work visas for the dependents of some students studying level 7 or 8 qualifications has been expanded. The partners of such international students can now avail Partner of Student Work Visa.

"We have updated the Green List with the main Bachelor degrees and Bachelor Honours qualifications that lead to registration for certain occupations. These are occupations that have registration as a requirement instead of New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) qualifications," reads the official statement of New Zealand Immigration.

Children of these international students need not pay tuition fees

As per these latest amendments, the partners who are now eligible for a Partner of Student Work Visa in New Zealand can also apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa for their school-aged children so that the children will be considered domestic students and get tuition-free education in New Zealand schools.

Those who have a student visa in New Zealand, for their partners and children they can support a visitor visa or a work visa. The visas which are available to such family are Child of a Student Visitor Visa, Partner of a Student Visitor Visa, Dependent Child Student Visa, and Partner of a student work visa.

Partner of Student Work Visa: Details

The cost to apply for this visa is NZD $700, and the processing time is in 80% of cases 9 weeks. To apply for this visa, the partner needs to provide identity proof and should be genuinely ready to meet visa requirements. The health and character of the partner should be good. Also, they must have enough money to live in NZ.

Full-year enrolment data of international students suggested that an increased number of foreign students chose to study in New Zealand in 2023 when the total number of international students was 69,135, up by 67% as of 2022.

“New Zealand is a small country and for many students, rubbing shoulders with people from other cultures gives them a greater understanding of the issues facing our complex world. In this time of fragile geopolitics, the melting pot of campus life can help build greater understanding and tolerance," said Dr Linda Sissons, Acting Chief Executive of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, as reported by enz.gov.nz.

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