New Zealand Offers a Remarkable Scope to International Students to Work and Gain Valuable Experience and Money

Each year thousands of international students come over to New Zealand on student visa with the idea to focus their entire time on studies. A student visa is primarily given to foreign students to study in the country – full time. However, international students can also work – although it may be limited to few hours only.

When can International Student Undertake Work Assignments?

While Pursuing Studies

International students can work when they are either studying or when they have completed their studies. While pursuing their studies, students can work only when:

• The curriculum is a two-year full-time event at a private institution.
• The curriculum ends in a certification which entitles the student to quality as a Skilled Migrant.
• The curriculum is a full-time secondary schooling session, such as Year 12 or Year 13. A written consent from school and parents is required.
• The curriculum is at least six-months session at a private institute or tertiary institute. The Immigration Officer gives the consent that the curriculum requires the learning of English language skills. At the time the student gets the visa, he or she must have attained an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of at least 5.0
• The curriculum is usually of NZQA Level 5 or higher diploma courses

…And, the working hours are within 20 hours per week (including holidays).The student can also work with a student visa if:

• The curriculum requires work experience or internship
• The curriculum is a yearly full-time event with Christmas or New Year holiday. The students can work during the holiday.

After Completing Studies

International students can also work when they have completed their curriculum, if they have:

• Secured employment corresponding to their qualification that they have pursued in New Zealand
• Completed at least a three-year curriculum
• Qualified for Skilled Migrant Category

…And, even if there is no offer for employment, the student can work if he or she has acquired a qualification that has earned them enough points to quality for Residence Skilled Migrant Category. The student would then be entitled for a Graduate Job Search Work Visa.

How can a Graduate Student Start Working for Any Employer?
If an international student completes studies, becomes a graduate, and acquires a qualification under Residence Skilled Migrant Category, he or she would be entitled for Graduate Job Search Work Visa. This visa allows a graduate to work after completing studies in New Zealand. The following sub-categories are followed, such as:

• It can be the usual visa valid for a 12-month period. The visa allows graduates to work as trainees under Study to Work category and take up jobs offered by employers.
• It can be a two-year Graduate Job Search Visa if the graduates have studied in New Zealand on a skill-set that allows an employer to offer them a long-term skilled assignment
• It can be a three-year work visa if the international student studying in New Zealand requires two or more years of practical experience to acquire a membership or registration from a certified organization.

…And, there is Study to Work visa where the student qualifies under Skilled Migrant Category.

What to Expect from the Employee to Get a Legal and Ethical Work Experience as an International Student with Graduate Job Search Visa?
The Graduate Job Search Visa is an important document which an international student must have to work in New Zealand. Other criteria include:

• The end-date of the visa must correspond with the end date of the project.
• The employer complies with the Employment Law.
• The Job Position must match with the qualification of the graduate – as completed in New Zealand
• The Job must be a full-time one
• The Job must entitle completed supplementary form

How to Start Work When the Student is Already in New Zealand?
For those international students who are already in New Zealand, have required qualifications to start work, but don’t have required visa that would allow them to work, the Variation of Conditions of the student visa can help them to work. The students need to apply at the nearest immigration or visa-related office for this option.

What are the Pre-Requisites for Foreign Students with a Job Offer to Work under Study to Work Category?
If a student does not have a Graduate Job Search Visa, he or she must have a Work Visa within three months after the end date of the student visa. Apart from what the employer wants, the international student who wants to work in New Zealand must meet “health” and “character” pre-requisites.
Health
The international students should have an acceptable health condition. They should not have:

• Active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)
• Health issues that require hospitalization, residential care, costly medicines or disability services
• Issue related ORRS funding

Character
The international student must have a good and amiable character. There should not be any incidents related to:

• Imprisonment
• Prohibition
• Deportation
• Criminal offence

Useful Mandatory Evidence for one-year or two-year work permit:

• Acquire job offer that corresponds to the qualification acquired in News Zealand
• Acquire qualifications that is under Skilled Migrant Category

Useful Mandatory Evidence for three-year professional duties to get membership or registration:

• The need for membership or registration is essential to perform professional job in New Zealand
• The professional association under whom the student is working has a consent to the job position
• The qualification attained by the student must meet the standards of those allowed in New Zealand

What are the Pre-Requisites for Foreign Students without a Job Offer to Work under Study to Work Category?
Similar rules applicable for Graduate Job Search Visa are followed for international students who want to work but don’t have a job right now. One rule added here includes:

• The students without a job must give evidence of securing at least NZ$ 2,100 to maintain self during the year’s stay in New Zealand. Travelers check or bank credentials under the name of the student are generally accepted as the evidence.

What are the Pre-Requisites for Foreign Students Getting a Work Experience to Complete a Curriculum?
There can be situations where a student may have to complete a practical job work to complete a training or study curriculum. In such a case, the student requires a Work Visa under Student and Trainee Work Instructions. There are three categories under this section and the student must comply with pre-requisites:

• Meet “Health” and “Character” requirements
• Provide consent proof from education institute requiring this traineeship
• Provide consent proof to work from employer

Dental or Medical Traineeship
Dental or medical trainees must comply with the aforesaid pre-requisites as well as:

• Acquire qualification for the job offer
• Surrender student visa or visitor visa (if any)
• Acquire letter of acceptance from the New Zealand Hospital

 
Jockey Traineeship
Jockeys who have attained at least 16 years or more must comply with the aforesaid pre-requisites and also:

• Acquire a written guarantee from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing corp. on the financial requirements
• Acquire a written guarantee from the trainer that the cost of going back to the native country could be met in case of an unsuccessful traineeship

…Finally, the student needs to apply through proper channel with legal documents and evidence to get a proper working visa.