Complete Guide To the Post Study Work Visa in New Zealand (2024)

The Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand provides an opportunity for international students to gain practical work experience in the country after completing their studies. This visa is designed for graduates who have obtained a recognised qualification from a New Zealand institution. It aims to benefit the local workforce by allowing skilled individuals to contribute to various sectors.

This comprehensive guide offers an overview of the New Zealand post-study work visa for those interested in working in NZ following the completion of their studies.

A Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand is designed to support the country's overall employment objectives by facilitating and retaining access to global skills and knowledge for industries and employers in New Zealand. This visa category is available to certain student visa holders who have completed a recognised qualification in New Zealand. The primary purpose of the Post-Study Work Visa is to provide these graduates with an opportunity to seek and gain employment in the field related to their studies, thereby utilising their newly acquired skills and contributing to the local workforce.

What Does a Post-Study Visa Allow You to Do in New Zealand?

The Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand offers a range of benefits, tailored to the level of your study and the duration of your education in the country. Here’s a detailed look at what this visa allows:

Duration of Stay

Depending on your level of study and how long you studied in New Zealand, you can stay for up to three years.

Employment Flexibility

• If your qualification is at degree level 7 or above, you can work for any employer and work in almost any job. This offers broad career options across various industries.
• If your qualification is non-degree level 7 or below, your employment must be directly related to your field of study. Additionally, your qualification needs to be on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa list.

You can check your qualification level here.

Family Benefits

• If you have completed a qualification of a certain level specified here, your partner is eligible to apply for a work visa, which allows them to work in New Zealand during your stay. 
• Your dependent children can study in New Zealand as domestic students without paying international tuition fees, providing them access to education at local rates.

Employment Restrictions

You are not permitted to provide commercial sexual services or operate or invest in a business that provides such services. This is a standard restriction to ensure compliance with New Zealand’s legal and ethical standards.

Eligibility Requirements to Apply for a Post Study Work Visa in New Zealand

To be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand, applicants must meet specific criteria based on their level of education and the timing of their application:

Qualification Requirements

• Applicants must hold a qualification at levels 8 to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, having studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand.
• Alternatively, they must hold a degree qualification at level 7, also studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand.
• For qualifications at levels 4 to 7, the program must be specified on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (Appendix 13) and must have been studied full-time in New Zealand for the full duration required to obtain that qualification.

Check your qualification level here.

Completion of Qualifications

• Applicants must have successfully completed the qualification for which the student visa was granted.
• Doctoral students who have not yet obtained their degree can apply by providing evidence from their education provider that they have submitted their thesis for examination.

Application Timing

• The visa application must be submitted no later than 3 months after your student visa ends for the completed qualification(s).
• For Doctoral degree holders, the application deadline extends to 6 months after the end of the student visa.
• If the applicant has completed a Bachelor’s degree followed immediately by an Honours or a Post-Graduate Diploma qualification with consecutive student (or interim) visas for these qualifications, the application must be within three months of the end date of the student visa for the second qualification(s).

Additional Requirements

• If the studies were supported under the New Zealand scholarship programme administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, written approval from this Ministry is required.
• Applicants must have at least NZ$5,000 in funds available to maintain themselves during their stay in New Zealand.
• Applicants should not have been previously granted a Post-Study Work Visa.

These conditions ensure that the visa is granted to individuals who have committed significant time to their studies in New Zealand and are ready to contribute to the workforce.

Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa 

To qualify for a Post Study Work Visa in New Zealand, applicants must meet specific educational criteria. Those who have completed a degree at level 7 or above are eligible. Alternatively, for those with non-degree qualifications at level 7 or below, eligibility depends on whether their qualification appears on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa list. Additionally, for qualifications at non-degree level 7 or below, the employment secured in New Zealand must be directly related to the field of study.

The New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) categorises education and training into ten levels, which helps clarify the complexity and expertise required at each level. This framework supports the evaluation of qualifications for visa purposes.

Eligible Qualifications to Apply for Post Study Work Visa After 12 May 2022

It's important to note changes affecting eligibility that occurred in recent years. Specifically, if you applied for your student visa on or after 12 May 2022 and your studies fall into the ‘non-degree level 7 or below’ category, you must refer to the updated list of eligible qualifications below:

Eligible Qualifications to Apply for Post Study Work Visa Before 12 May 2022

If you applied for your Student Visa on or before 11 May 2022, you might still be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa even if your qualification does not appear on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa list, provided you have an acceptable qualification. To qualify, you must have completed your studies in New Zealand, and your qualification must be Level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

For Level 7 or above qualifications, your course must have lasted 30 weeks or more to be considered acceptable. And if your studies were at Levels 4 to 6, the qualification is acceptable if you either completed it after 60 weeks of study or achieved two qualifications where each involved at least 30 weeks of study, and the level of the latter qualification was higher than the first.

Please note, qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) are not accepted under this visa category.

If you are looking to extend your stay, you may be eligible to apply for another Post Study Work Visa. This is possible if you complete another qualification in New Zealand that meets the following criteria:

1. the course lasted at least 30 weeks;
2. it was a bachelor’s degree or a post-graduate qualification;
3. it was at a higher level than the qualification used for your previous visa; and
4. your application for the second student visa was submitted on or before 11 May 2022.

How to Prove Your Eligibility?

To meet the evidential requirements for a non-degree qualification at levels 4 to 7 for a Post-Study Work Visa, applicants must provide one of the following:

• Declaration by the Applicant: A written declaration from the applicant confirming that their course satisfies the knowledge requirements listed in the second column of the Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa
  
  OR
• Confirmation from Education Provider: A letter from the educational institution confirming that the course meets the knowledge requirements specified in the list;
  
  OR
• Secondary School Teachers: For those applying as secondary school teachers in a specialty subject, applicants must provide a declaration or a letter from their education provider confirming that they either hold a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant specialty subject or possess the necessary skills to teach in a Pacific language;
  
  AND

Additional Verification: An immigration officer may request further evidence to verify that the qualification meets the specified requirements.

Quick Tips: Study Duration and Visa Eligibility

• Confirmation of Study Duration: The duration of the study, as determined by the education provider, must be confirmed through official documentation such as an offer of place or a confirmation letter. This duration should not include any additional time taken to repeat failed course components.
• Verification by Immigration Officers: Immigration officers have the authority to request further evidence if there are doubts that the study duration aligns with the expected length for the qualification.

Quick Tips: Conditions Based on Qualification Level

• Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (Levels 8 to 10): A Post-Study Work Visa granted on the basis of a Bachelor’s degree or a higher qualification (Levels 8 to 10) obtained in New Zealand permits the visa holder to work for any employer, in any occupation, and anywhere in New Zealand.
• Non-Degree Qualifications (Level 7 and Below): A Post-Study Work Visa based on a non-degree qualification at level 7 or below restricts the visa holder to working only in the occupation related to their field of study.

Practical Tips for a Successful NZ Post Study Work Visa Application

• Check Eligibility and Requirements: Before you apply for this visa, verify that you meet all the criteria specified for the Post Study Work Visa, including age, nationality, and educational qualifications. You must apply only if you meet the required eligibility criteria. 
• Gathering Necessary Documents: Prepare all the necessary documents to support your visa application:
• Evidence of Identity: This could include your passport or national ID.
• Health Assessments: Depending on your situation, this may include a chest x-ray and/or a medical examination.
• Citizenship Documents: A document confirming your legal background from your home country such as a birth certificate.
• Evidence of Completed Qualification in New Zealand: Certificates or official transcripts.
• Evidence of Sufficient Funds: Proof of financial stability to support yourself during your stay.
• Be Aware of Your Visa Expiry: Keep track of your current visa’s expiration date to ensure continuous legality of your stay in New Zealand.
• Seek Professional Guidance: Consider consulting with an immigration advisor to ensure your application adheres to all the current regulations and requirements.
• Interview Preparation: If an interview is required, prepare answers to potential questions regarding your study, future plans, and reasons for wanting to stay in New Zealand.
• Check Processing Times: Be aware that the processing time for a Post Study Work Visa application process is typically around 38 days, but this can vary depending on the volume of applications pending with Immigration New Zealand and other factors.

Want to Work in New Zealand with a Post-Study Work Visa? We’re Here to Help

For international students looking to gain work experience in New Zealand after completing their studies, the Post-Study Work Visa can be a useful option to consider. This visa allows graduates to transition from study to employment and can help contribute to New Zealand's industries by providing them with access to a pool of skilled graduates. If you are interested in working in New Zealand following your studies and would like to learn more about the Post-Study Work Visa, the team at Immigration Lawyer NZ can provide guidance on the application process and eligibility requirements.