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  • Update from Immigration New Zealand

    Update for international students: In-study work hours increasing from 3 November 

    From 3 November 2025, eligible international students will be able to work up to 25 hours per week during the semester - an increase from the current 20-hour limit. This change applies to all new student visas granted from that date, even if the application was submitted earlier. 

    If international students hold a student visa with a 20-hour work limit and want to take advantage of the new 25-hour allowance, they will need to apply for a variation of conditions (VOC) or a new student visa and pay the relevant fee 

    They can choose to apply now for the extra five hours or if their visa allows full-time work during summer vacation then they do not require the extra five hours and may choose to wait until later to apply for a variation. Some students will choose not to apply for a variation of conditions at all, and wait until their next student visa application  

    The process for applying for a variation of conditions depends on which system a visa was submitted through i.e. the old system or through enhanced Immigration Online. 

    For more information, visit Upcoming changes to student visa work rights: Immigration New Zealand

    If they’re unsure which system their visa was issued in or which form to use, they can contact us for support before applying: Contact us: Immigration New Zealand 

    Update for international students: Changing your education provider or lowering your level of study from 3 November 2025 

    If a student visa holder is planning to change education provider or lower their level of study (for example, from a degree to a diploma), they’ll need to apply for a new student visa - not just a variation of conditions. 

    Upcoming changes to student visa work rights: Immigration New Zealand

    This requirement ensures their visa accurately reflects the new study situation and complies with immigration requirements.  

    Before making any changes, students or their representatives should check the INZ website for guidance on how to apply for a new student visa on enhanced Immigration Online and ensure they apply in advance to avoid any disruption to their studies. 

    For more information, visit Study visas: Immigration New Zealand 

    Update for international students: Keep your visa photo filter free 

    We all like to look our best, but to avoid delays or declines, visa application photos must be a true, unedited likeness. That means students must abandon those filters and submit an accurate photo in order to avoid processing delays or declines. 

    Immigration New Zealand uses facial recognition, so filters, AI edits, or beauty enhancements interfere with identity checks. Photos must meet international biometric standards - natural skin tones, clear lighting, and no digital alterations. 

    Edited images including smoothing skin, changing eye size, reshaping facial features, or cropping your head onto a plain background will cause delays in processing and may lead to declined applications.  

    Key tips: 

    • Don’t use selfies - get someone to take your photo or use a professional. 
    • Tell photographers not to apply digital enhancements, like beauty filters or AI adjustments. 
    • Some photo apps or online tools may not be suitable for visa applications. 

    More information and examples of acceptable photos can be found on our website: Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA : Immigration New Zealand 

    Guardian visitor visa applications moving online from 3 November 

    From 3 November 2025, all Guardian Visitor Visa applications should be submitted on Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system. This update is part of INZ’s broader digital transformation, aimed at improving the visa experience for families supporting international students. 

    While the information required remains the same, the application form may look a little different.  

    The enhanced system offers better application tracking and a more streamlined experience for applicants. Updated guidance and support materials are built into the form. 

    If you have an application in draft or submitted under the old application form, you will still be able to access or submit this application after 3 November 2025. We will notify you when the old application form is due to close.  

    For current visa holders, if your child is applying for a new student visa and you intend to apply for another Guardian Visitor Visa, both applications should be submitted through the enhanced system.  

    This change is particularly relevant for education providers, agents, and advisers supporting families of international students. Please share this update with your networks and encourage early preparation ahead of the transition. 

    Guardian Visitor Visa applications moving to enhanced Immigration Online: Immigration New Zealand

  • ENZ staffing changes in Washington, D.C

    On Friday 27 September Amy Rutherford, our Regional Director – Americas, the Middle East, and Europe and Counsellor (Education), will be finishing after eleven and a half years at ENZ. 

    Amy started at ENZ in 2013 as an International Market Manager for China. She has been in Washington, D.C. since 2018, having been in Los Angeles prior to that as ENZ’s Director of Education, North America. Prior to working for ENZ, Amy studied in the United States as an undergraduate student and worked for the University of Otago in the North American and European markets, as well as the New Zealand Resident Director for a US study abroad provider, the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA).

    “As a colleague of Amy’s in the International team, I’ve greatly appreciated Amy’s knowledge and expertise and I know she has built of wide network of trusted colleagues across New Zealand’s international education sector,” Acting General Manager Ben Burrowes said.

    Ben added, “on behalf of ENZ, it is my privilege to congratulate Amy on an outstanding tenure at our organisation and we wish her well for the next step in her professional career”. 

    ENZ’s Regional Director - Americas, Middle East and Europe, Amy Rutherford (centre) will be finishing with ENZ on Friday 27 September. Associate Director of Engagement – North America, Natalie Lulia (left), will be acting in the role from Monday 30 November.

    We are delighted that Natalie Lulia, currently Associate Director of Engagement – North America, will step into the role of Acting Regional Director - Americas, Middle East and Europe on Monday 30 September. 

    "Natalie has been a fantastic addition to ENZ and steps into the role at a particularly important time as we implement our 2024 – 2027 business strategy,” Mr Burrowes said. 

    Natalie first joined ENZ in October 2023. Prior to ENZ, she was Director – Māori for the Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPE) and Strategic Advisor, International Indigenous Development at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato - University of Waikato. There, she led a team passionate about Māori business capability, Global Citizenship Education and raising awareness to establish meaningful relationships in the Asia-Pacific, particularly with indigenous communities. 

  • Tony Gray appointed to ENZ Board

    Gray will start his Board appointment on 1 November. He has vast experience in the education sector, in a career spanning 37 years both here and in the United Kingdom. Gray is currently Chief Executive of the Nelson Tasman Hospice Trust. 

    Gray’s focus was on vocational education after migrating to New Zealand in 2003. In his most recent role in the sector, Gray was Chief Executive at Ara Institute of Canterbury between 2017 and 2021, and Chief Executive at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) prior. 

    Under Tony’s leadership, NMIT became a leading educator for regional primary industries. He has a strong interest in growth and innovation, helping to establish INNOVATE – a regional entrepreneur activator that supports, nurtures and grows businesses in the region.  

    In this time at Ara, Tony led his organisation through the Reform of Vocational Education and continued his interest in supporting innovation – leading the establishment of Te Ohaka, a Centre for Growth and Innovation. Tony also grew Ara’s involvement in the Te Papa Hauora Health Precinct - a collaboration with Te Whatu Ora Waitaha, University of Canterbury, University of Otago and Ngāi Tahu. 

    In 2023, Tony was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to education. 

  • Energy with Indonesia 2

  • ENZ quarterly report 1 April to 30 June 2023 cover briefing

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  • International students report high satisfaction as New Zealand sees steady recovery in enrolments

    This year, 87 percent of students gave a positive rating of their overall experience, maintaining the upward trend seen in 2024 (86%). The proportion of students who rated their experience as ‘excellent’ rose to 43 percent, a two percent increase from the previous year. 

    These strong satisfaction results come as international student enrolments in New Zealand continue to grow. Between January and April 2025, 63,610 international students were enrolled with New Zealand education providers, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024 (54,690), and a 49% increase on 2023 (42,700). 

    All education subsectors saw growth, with Private Training Establishments (PTEs) showing the strongest increase at +41% compared to 2024. 

    China and India remained the top source markets, followed by Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, USA, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Germany. Notably, Sri Lanka rose to fifth place (from ninth), and Nepal to seventh (from eleventh), reflecting shifting dynamics in student mobility. 

    What students value most  

    Students were most positive about the people and connections they made in New Zealand (92%), the quality of their education (90%), their arrival and orientation experience (89%), the ease of making study arrangements (87%), and their overall living experience (87%). 

    International students’ experiences of making study arrangements have notably improved, with 80 percent of students rating their experience with the visa application process positively (up from 78% in 2024), and 74% positively rating the time taken to get their visa (up from 64%). 

    Education New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand will continue to collaborate on provision of information to students to ensure an enhanced student experience. 

    The survey also shows an increasing proportion of international students regard New Zealand as offering good value for money, with positive perceptions rising from 65% to 76%. 

    Education New Zealand's Chief Executive, Amanda Malu, said the results reflect New Zealand’s ability to provide a high-quality education within an environment that fosters meaningful connections and relationships.

    “This is encouraging news for New Zealand. The fact that students continue to rate their experience here as excellent is a credit to our education providers and speaks to the warmth of the welcome our communities extend to international students,” she said.

    “We’re seeing a steady and encouraging recovery in international education. It’s not a boom, but a sign that our collective efforts are making a difference. What matters most is that students are not just coming to New Zealand, they’re having a high-quality experience that supports wellbeing and a sense of belonging.”

    “Under the International Education Going for Growth Plan, we’re focused on thoughtful, sustainable growth. These insights help us ensure that our progress is not just about numbers, but about delivering long-term value to students, communities, and the wider economy.”

    Education New Zealand’s Director Insights and Performance, Marie Clark, said the survey continues to be a key piece of work for ENZ and a useful tool for the international education sector. 

    “It remains the only national survey focused on international student experience in all subsectors in New Zealand. With several years of data now collected, we’re building a meaningful picture of student experience over time,” she said.  

    “The ability to break down insights by variables like country, sector, and gender makes the dataset especially useful. We expect the report and Tableau dashboards will be very practical resources for anyone working in the sector,” Clark added.  

     For further information: 

    • Sai Raje | Senior Communications Advisor, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 
      sai.raje@enz.govt.nz | +64 21 479 649 

    Notes to Editors: 

    About the New Zealand International Student Experience Survey 2025 

    The survey aims to better understand the overall experience of international students enrolled with New Zealand education providers, as well as recent graduates. It also identifies areas for improvement to enhance the student journey. 

    Fieldwork was conducted from 28 April to 19 May 2025 with 5,420 respondents across all education subsectors and stages of study. 

     About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency dedicated to helping New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences.

    With approximately 85 staff in 13 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Te Pūkenga), and universities.

    Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.

  • Update from Immigration New Zealand

    Peak processing season in full swing 

    Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has seen an increase in applications submitted during September 2024, ahead of the 1 October visa fee and levy increase and because of our ‘apply early’ messaging.  

    In September 2023, approximately 3,104 international student visa applications were submitted and in September 2024, approximately 6,893 international student visa applications have been submitted, an increase of 122%. 

    Now that we are in our peak processing period, we expect these processing times to grow as we receive a higher volume of applications. Students should get their visa application in at least 3 months before they plan to travel to New Zealand for the first semester of 2025. 

    By now, most students should have received an offer of place from their chosen education provider. Anyone expecting to study in the first term of 2025 should apply now.  

    We acknowledge that some students who are waiting on key study documentation are unable to apply 3 months ahead. In these cases, they should apply as soon as they have all of their documents, but they need to be aware that late applications may not be processed in time for them to start studying.  

    Immigration New Zealand has three student processing sites in New Zealand, and has allocated more staff to processing student visas, compared to last year’s peak. 

    Ensure you submit a complete application 

    To avoid delays, we encourage students, agents and advisers to follow the advice in our student visa information sheets. If they do not include all the required documents when they submit their application, it may be declined.  

    Applications that have a statement of purpose letter written by the student, telling us about their personal circumstances and plans in New Zealand, help us assess their intent. If a student intends to apply for another visa after study, they should declare this. Students are allowed to apply for another visa after they finish studying.    

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