Your qualification and study history determine whether graduating can lead to work in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand requires students applying for a Post Study Work Visa through a degree-level Level 7 qualification or above to have studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks. These post study work rights in New Zealand can provide a route from study to employment, but the visa conditions depend on your qualification.

Before applying, it helps to understand the timing, documents, work conditions and costs involved. This guide explains how to apply, what funds and evidence may be required, and how long you may be able to work after graduating.

Work conditions vary by qualification, so postgraduate graduates should understand their options before planning what comes next. Use the information to map your eligibility and prepare for the transition from study to work.

How do I gain a Post Study Work Visa?

Eligibility depends on your New Zealand qualification, its level and your study duration. Before planning post-study employment, identify the visa pathway that matches the qualification you completed.

Qualification Levels and Study Duration

Your qualification level and study period determine which graduate work visa may be available. For a degree-level 7 qualification or above, Immigration New Zealand requires at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand. A person who studied there for at least 30 weeks and completed a master’s or doctoral degree may stay and work for 3 years on a Post Study Work Visa.

Eligible non-degree qualifications at Levels 4-7 may also qualify if they appear on the approved list and meet the required study duration. Eligible non-degree Level 7 or Level 4-6 study generally requires 60 weeks in New Zealand, either in one course or across two 30-week courses. Check both the approved list and the study-duration requirement for your qualification.

A Graduate Diploma pathway is scheduled to expand in late 2026 to include eligible NZQCF Level 7 graduates. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, earned in New Zealand or overseas, and complete the full Graduate Diploma full-time while enrolled for its entire duration. Cross-credit and recognition of prior learning do not count toward this requirement. The visa may last for the length of study, up to one year.

Australia and the UK have their own graduate visa eligibility rules and conditions. New Zealand eligibility depends on the New Zealand qualification and study duration, so completing a New Zealand pathway does not itself establish work rights in either country.

Partners of Post Study Work Visa holders can apply for a work visa, while their dependent children can attend school as domestic students without paying fees. These family options differ from the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, which does not allow holders to support partners for work visas or children for Dependent Child Student Visas.

Short-Term Graduate Work Visa Conditions

New Zealand’s Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is a separate pathway for eligible NZQCF Level 5, 6 or 7 graduates. It is scheduled to become available on November 16, 2026. Applicants must have studied a qualifying course full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks and apply within three months after their student visa expires.

The visa provides up to six months of open work rights and is granted once, with no extension. Holders must work under an employment agreement or contract for services and cannot own a business. The visa does not directly count toward residency. A later student visa is available only if the person enrols in a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification that qualifies for a Post Study Work Visa.

Application process, fees and processing times

Apply directly to Immigration New Zealand through Immigration Online. Prepare your documents before you begin, and identify the correct application window because deadlines depend on your course and visa history.

Application Documents

Your application must establish your identity, completed study and eligibility. Prepare your passport, evidence of your qualification and any supporting records requested during the online application. Your passport generally must remain valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure date. Check that the information in your documents is consistent with your study and visa history.

In Immigration Online, enter your personal and study details, select the relevant visa application and upload the requested documents. Review each entry before submitting. Differences between your passport details and education records can make the application harder to assess. Keep copies of your submitted information and confirmation so you can track the application and respond if Immigration New Zealand requests further material.

Funds and Application Timing

Funds and deadlines depend on the visa pathway. Applicants for the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa must show access to NZD 5,000 for maintenance. For a Post-Study Work Visa, prepare the financial evidence requested for your application and ensure it supports the relevant stay.

Application deadlines vary. Most eligible applicants must apply within 3 months after their Student Visa expires. Doctoral graduates generally have 6 months, while some applicants who move directly into a higher-level, non-qualifying course may have 12 months from the end of the first qualification’s Student Visa. Your course and visa history determine which deadline applies.

Submit through Immigration Online and pay the application fee as part of the process. The listed Post Study Work Visa cost is NZ$1,670. From November 16, 2026, Post-Study Work Visa applications must use the enhanced Immigration Online platform. Paper applications submitted on or before November 15, 2026, will continue to be processed.

Processing times are estimates, so do not leave submission until the deadline. Immigration New Zealand processes 80% of these applications within 6 weeks. Straightforward applications may be decided within a few weeks, while additional review can affect timing. Submit a complete application promptly and keep your confirmation of submission.

If you are in New Zealand, maintain a valid visa while there. Meeting the post-study application deadline does not mean you can remain after your current visa expires. Plan around your visa expiry date and the applicable application window to avoid a gap in lawful status.

Required documents and proof of funds

Build your application around evidence of your identity, completed study and chosen visa pathway. Your documents should clearly support the qualification and study history used to establish eligibility.

Start with your passport and confirm it meets the validity requirement: it generally must remain valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand. Make sure the passport details in your application match the document. Then organize your qualification evidence and study records so the completed programme and its duration are clear.

Full-time study is important because the eligibility threshold depends on the qualification route. For a degree-level 7 qualification or above, the required study period is at least 30 weeks full-time in New Zealand. The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa has a different threshold: eligible NZQCF Level 5 to 7 graduates must have studied full-time for at least 24 weeks. Keep the study evidence relevant to the pathway you are applying under.

Graduate Diploma applicants should be prepared to show that they completed the full-time programme for its full duration and remained enrolled throughout. Cross-credit and recognition of prior learning do not count toward this requirement. Applicants must also hold a bachelor’s degree, earned in New Zealand or overseas. These details distinguish completed study from credits transferred into a programme.

Funds are a separate requirement for the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa. Applicants must demonstrate access to at least NZD 5,000 for maintenance. This amount applies to that visa pathway, not as a universal figure for every post-study application. Organize evidence that shows access to the required funds and have it ready when you apply.

For a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, a valid medical certificate and chest X-ray may be required, depending on the intended length of stay. This is an additional consideration alongside identity, qualification and funds evidence. Include medical documents in your application planning where the stay length makes them relevant.

Before submitting through Immigration Online, arrange your records in a clear sequence: passport, completed qualification information, study-duration evidence and, for the short-term pathway, funds evidence. Match each item to the eligibility route it supports. This makes it easier to see whether your application demonstrates the required study period, qualification level and maintenance funds without mixing evidence from different pathways.

Open work rights and employment conditions

Your qualification and visa conditions determine what work you can do in New Zealand. Check the conditions that apply to your visa before accepting a job.

Length of Stay and Work

The visa duration determines how long eligible graduates can remain and work after study. A person who studied in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks and completed a master’s or doctoral degree may stay and work for 3 years on a Post Study Work Visa. A bachelor’s degree at Level 7 may lead to a visa valid for 1-2 years.

For a qualification at Level 8 or below, the Post Study Work Visa generally lasts for the same length of time as the study. The qualification level and completed study period are therefore central to planning employment and a later visa application. The overall post-study visa period can be up to 3 years for eligible graduates.

Open work conditions can allow eligible degree-level 7 or higher graduates to work in any legal job for any employer. They do not need employer sponsorship or an offer of full-time work to apply. By contrast, graduates with eligible non-degree qualifications at Level 7 or lower generally need a job related to their studies. Lower-level qualifications may also require work related to a Green List occupation.

Study Changes and Visa Conditions

Course changes matter because eligibility depends on the qualification completed and the study used for the application. If a student completes a qualifying New Zealand qualification and immediately starts a higher-level course that does not qualify, they may have 12 months from the end of the first qualification’s Student Visa to apply. The application must be based on the qualifying course.

If you do not complete the qualification, you may not have the completed-study basis required for your chosen work visa pathway. For example, study duration for a degree-level qualification is assessed against the qualification used to qualify, not simply the time spent enrolled across different courses. Check that your final qualification and study history align.

Work permission also varies by visa type. A student visa must allow work, and its eVisa states whether that permission applies. Students permitted to work while studying can work only as employees, not as independent contractors or self-employed workers. Masters by Research and PhD students have no limit on work hours.

Eligible Post Study Work Visa holders with open work conditions may work as a sole trader or operate a business from 20 April 2026, but cannot employ other people through that business. A Short-Term Graduate Work Visa does not allow business ownership. Follow the conditions attached to your visa, since permission under one pathway does not automatically transfer to another.

Work rights after postgraduate study

A postgraduate qualification can provide a defined period for employment after study. Family and further-study conditions also shape what comes next. For postgraduate graduates, post study work rights in New Zealand provide a temporary work stage, not a residence outcome.

A postgraduate degree completed straight after undergraduate study in New Zealand may qualify its holder to apply for a Post Study Work Visa valid for up to 3 years. A person who submits a completed PhD thesis in New Zealand may also be eligible for a visa of up to 3 years. The qualification route and study record determine which option applies.

Family arrangements can affect how you plan this period. A Post Study Work Visa holder’s partner can apply for a work visa, and dependent children can attend school as domestic students without paying fees. These options differ from the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, which cannot support partner work visas or Dependent Child Student Visas.

Further study is limited after a Post Study Work Visa is granted. Holders may study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period. If your next academic step involves a longer programme, consider how that limit fits your plans before choosing a work-first or study-first sequence.

An individual can generally receive a New Zealand Post Study Work Visa only once. Plan post study work rights in New Zealand alongside your longer-term study goals so you can decide when to use the pathway. For example, if you are considering another qualification, weigh the timing of further study against the work period available after your current degree.

If your next academic step is postgraduate study in the UK, UK Student Visa Consultancy can support planning for that study pathway.

AusPak International: Canada Study Permit Assistance

AusPak International supports students considering a different study destination through Canada Study Permit Assistance. If your plans shift from post-study employment in New Zealand to education in Canada, support with the study permit process can help you understand the application steps and prepare for your next move.

AusPak International also provides Australian University Admission Support and UK Student Visa Consultancy. Onshore Arrival Support can assist students as they plan for arrival after choosing a destination. Each service supports a different stage of an international education journey, so start with the country and study goal that fit your plans.

If you are planning a Canadian study pathway, contact AusPak International to discuss your next step.

Plan your next step with clarity

Your next move can build on the education you have already completed. Treat post study work rights in New Zealand as one part of a wider career and study plan, then decide whether your priority is gaining experience, continuing your education or preparing for another destination.

For students considering a different study pathway, AusPak International offers Australian University Admission Support, UK Student Visa Consultancy and Canada Study Permit Assistance. These services can help you focus your planning around the destination that fits your academic direction. Choose your next step with your longer-term goals in view.

Contact AusPak International for guidance on your study plans and possible next destination. A clear decision today can help you move toward your next opportunity with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can You Do on This Visa?

An eligible Post Study Work Visa lets you work in New Zealand under conditions linked to your qualification. Eligible degree-level 7 or higher graduates with open work conditions can take any legal job for any employer. For example, they can change employers without employer sponsorship. Eligible non-degree graduates generally need work related to their studies, while Short-Term Graduate Work Visa holders must work under an employment agreement or contract for services.

Can this lead to a Longer-Term Work in New Zealand?

A graduate work visa is temporary. To continue working after it expires, you need another valid visa that allows work. Your next route depends on meeting that visa’s requirements, not simply on having held a post-study visa. A job may help shape your plans, but an employer offer does not automatically extend your current visa or grant another work visa.

Does this visa count toward residency?

The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa does not directly count toward residency. Its open work conditions provide a temporary period to work, not residence status. Treat any future residence plan as a separate immigration pathway with its own eligibility criteria. Holding a graduate work visa alone does not confirm that you qualify for residence or that time on the visa will meet another pathway’s requirements.

How long do I have to apply after finishing study?

The application deadline is based on when your Student Visa expires, not simply your final class date. Most eligible graduates have 3 months after expiry to apply. Doctoral graduates generally have 6 months. If you completed a qualifying course and immediately began a higher-level course that does not qualify, you may have 12 months from the end of the first qualification’s Student Visa. Identify your pathway and visa expiry promptly.

What happens if I can’t find work in six months?

The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa provides up to six months of open work rights, but it cannot be extended and is granted only once. Not finding employment does not create extra time on that visa. You must hold a valid New Zealand visa while in the country, so make plans before your current permission expires. The visa also requires work under an employment agreement or contract for services.

What if I don’t have a Level 7 degree qualification?

Not having a Level 7 degree does not automatically rule out every graduate work pathway. Eligible non-degree qualifications at Levels 4-7 may qualify for a Post Study Work Visa if they appear on the approved list and meet the study-duration requirement. For example, eligible non-degree Level 7 or Level 4-6 study generally requires 60 weeks in New Zealand, completed as one course or two 30-week courses.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility depends on your qualification, study location, study mode and duration. A student applying through a degree-level 7 qualification or above must have studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks. Eligible non-degree graduates may qualify through specified qualifications and required study periods. Doctoral students who have studied toward their qualification and submitted their thesis may also be eligible, subject to the applicable visa conditions.

What is a New Zealand Post Study Work Visa and who is eligible?

A New Zealand Post Study Work Visa is a temporary visa that lets eligible graduates stay and work after completing qualifying study. It can provide up to 3 years for eligible graduates, depending on the qualification and pathway. A person can generally receive this visa only once. The conditions attached to the visa determine the permitted work, so read them alongside your qualification and intended employment plans.