New Zealand Relaxes Rules for Young Migrants
New Zealand is set to ease regulations for young migrants starting in October, allowing those aged 17 to 24 who are awaiting their family residence applications to engage in part-time work. This new policy, announced by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, is designed to help these individuals support themselves and gain valuable work experience during this interim period.
“Many young migrants find themselves in limbo, unable to work while they wait for their family residence applications to be processed,” Stanford explained. “We want to ensure they can lead meaningful lives in New Zealand and contribute to the community.”
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for part-time work rights, young migrants must meet the following criteria:
– They must be applicants on an already lodged skilled residence visa or Dependent Child Residence Visa application.
– They must hold an eligible visitor visa as a dependent child of a Work Visa holder or a New Zealand citizen/resident.
– They must be aged 17 and have completed high school, or be aged 18 to 24.
Once eligible, these migrants can work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during the summer holidays. This is comparable to the work rights granted to Year 12 and 13 students holding a Dependent Child Student Visa.
