New Zealand Shifts to Online Student Visa Applications and Expands Working Hours for International Students
As of 18 August 2025, all student visa applications in New Zealand will be processed through the upgraded Immigration Online system, ADEPT. This move marks a significant shift from paper-based to online applications for various types of visas, including English Language Student Visa, Exchange Student Visa, Fee Paying Student Visa, and others. Furthermore, international students in New Zealand will soon benefit from expanded working hours, with in-study work rights increasing to 25 hours per week for eligible student visa holders, and extended work rights to all tertiary students participating in approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes.
Key Takeaways:
- New Zealand will no longer accept paper applications for student visas from 18 September 2025, with all applications moving to the online ADEPT system.
- International students will be automatically directed to the new application form if they apply for certain visas from 18 August 2025.
- Applications submitted on the old form before 17 August will be processed, and students do not need to resubmit.
- Draft applications on the old form must be completed and submitted by 17 September 2025, or they will be deleted.
- Working hours for international students in New Zealand will increase to 25 hours per week for eligible student visa holders in November 2025.
- In-study work rights will be extended to all tertiary students participating in approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes.
- Student enrolments in New Zealand are rising to pre-pandemic levels, with 2024 enrolments of 83,425 (72% of 2019 total of 115,705).
- Degrees from India, France, Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland will be free from assessment for recognition.
Statistics:
- 18 August 2025: International student visa applications were transferred to the upgraded Immigration Online system (ADEPT).
- 18 September 2025: New Zealand will no longer accept paper applications for student visas.
- 2024: Student enrolments in New Zealand reached 83,425 (72% of 2019 total of 115,705).
- November 2025: In-study work rights for international students will increase to 25 hours per week for eligible student visa holders.
- 115,705: Total student enrolments in 2019.
- 83,425: Student enrolments in 2024 (72% of 2019 total).
Sources:
- "New Zealand Student Visas" by Immigration New Zealand (undated, explicitly stated in the text).
- "Copyright 2025 IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com" (original source of the article).