Staying to work after study
If you have achieved a New Zealand qualification, you may be able to apply for a post study work visa that lets you stay in New Zealand for up to three years. This will allow you to get some practical work experience.
If your work is in an occupation that has skill shortages, this improves your chances of finding a job in New Zealand. You may be eligible to apply for a further work visa or residence visa.
A Post-study work visa lasts for 1, 2 or 3 years depending on the level of your qualification and where you studied. From the end of November 2018, it replaces 2 previous visas:
- Post Study Work Visa (open)
- Post Study Work Visa (employer-assisted)
What you can do on a Post-study work visa
A Post-study work visa lets you work for any employer and in almost any job.
Your partner can apply for a work visa and your dependent children can study fee-free as domestic students.
If you already have Post Study Work Visa (open)
If you already have a Post Study Work Visa (open) or we accepted your application for one before 26 November 2018, before your current visa expires you can apply to extend your visa for up to 2 more years.
If you already have a Post Study Work Visa (employer-assisted)
If you already have a Post Study Work Visa (employer-assisted) or we accepted your application for one before 26 November 2018, you can choose to have the job, employer and location removed. You can then work for any employer, in any location and in almost any job.
Post-Study Work Visa Rules for New Zealand
with effect from 2018, the Government of New Zealand following a public consultation has ushered in changes to immigration policies that impact post-study work rights for international students. Read on to understand what they are and how they are going to affect you. Here for the benefit of our readers, we have provided the earlier version of the rule and how it has been changed for the students currently pursuing their course.
Level 4 to 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications:
- Earlier: Prior to the changes, students who studied for 24 months were entitled to a one-year open work visa and then a two-year employer-assisted work visa.
- After Change: Now, a two-year employer-assisted work visa has been removed and a one-year open work visa is retained. However, those who pursue their education outside Auckland can get a two-year open work visa.
Bachelor level qualifications:
- Earlier: After 12 months of study students were entitled to a one-year open work visa and a two-year employer-assisted work visa.
- After Change: One-year open and two-year employer-assisted visa is replaced with a three-year open work visa.
Post-graduate level qualifications:
- Earlier: After pursuing 12 months study, students were entitled to a one-year open work visa and after that, a two-year employer-assisted work visa.
- After Change: One-year open and two-year employer-assisted visa is replaced with a three-year open work visa.
These visa rules are applicable for those who hold the student visa or whose student visa application has been accepted by the Immigration New Zealand:
Level of study
|
Duration of course
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Eligibility of visa
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Level 7 Bachelor’s degree or
above
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At least 30 weeks in New Zealand
|
Three-year open work visa
|
Non-degree Level 7
qualification
|
At least 30 weeks in New Zealand
|
Three-year open work visa
|
One qualification at Level 4-6
|
At least 60 weeks in New Zealand
|
Three-year open work visa
|
Two qualifications at Levels 4-6
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Study 60 weeks in total, 30 weeks for each qualification.
The second qualification is higher than the first level.
|
Three-year open work visa
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