What is changing?
The Government has unveiled new measures to offer migrant children leaving school an opportunity to work and contribute to the New Zealand economy. More specifically, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford revealed that part-time work rights will be expanded for those waiting on family residence application decisions.
Many young people who are part of a family residence application process are unable to work. They can remain on visitor visas for long periods of time because they can’t afford international student fees and can’t qualify for a skilled work visa.(...) We want to ensure that migrants aged 17-24 who are onshore, have completed secondary school and applied for residence can continue to contribute and live a meaningful life in New Zealand"
In line with current work rights allowance for year 12 and 13 migrant children who are full-time secondary school students, eligible children under the new scheme will be able to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during school terms, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer break.
Who is eligible?
In order to qualify for work rights, these children will need to be a included as a dependent child applicant on a pending application for one of the specified residence visas:
- Dependent Child Resident Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category, including
They must also:
- already have or be eligible to apply for a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa, or Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa, and
- be 18 to 24 years old (inclusive), or 17 years old and have evidence of high school completion.
As you can see, if they are no longer full-time school students, the dependent child must also be on a visitor visa in order to be granted these special work rights. In many cases, it would therefore be recommended that they apply right after they have finished their last year of school.
What work rights will these children get specifically?
Eligible children you will be able to work up to:
- 20 hours per week between 1 February and 30 November, and
- 40 hours per week between 1 December and 31 January.
It is recommended they keep work to a minimum to ensure they remain financially dependent on adults as part of the family's residency application.
When is this due to be implemented?
This change is due to be effective from 1st October 2024
