Post Study Work Visa

Who can get Post Study Work Visa

  • Graduates who completed a Level 7 or higher professional program in New Zealand with a duration of 30 weeks or more OR
  • Graduates who completed the Level 4-6 professional program in New Zealand for 60 weeks or more OR
  • A graduate who has completed two Level 4-6 professional programs in New Zealand, with a duration of 30 weeks or more each if the last program was higher than the previous one.
  • You can also get the Post Study Work Visa twice if these conditions are met, and the last program is higher than the previous one. For example, you received a work visa after graduating from Graduate Diploma Level 7. If you then studied for another year on Postgraduate Diploma Level 8, you can also apply for this visa.

More about levels and the education system.

Duration of the visa

3 years

  • If you complete the Bachelor Degree Level 7 program, or the Level 8, 9 and 10 program, after studying for at least one year (from 30 weeks).

2 years

  • If you graduate from a Graduate Diploma Level 7 program outside of Auckland after at least one year of study (from 30 weeks), then you are eligible for an open work visa for 2 years. But it is only applicable if the program ends before December 31, 2021.
  • If you complete any other Level 7 program outside of Auckland after at least one year of study (30 weeks or more), you are eligible for an open work visa for 2 years. But it is only applicable if the program ends before December 31, 2021.
  • If you graduate from a Level 4-6 program or programs outside of Auckland after at least two years of study (from 60 weeks), you are eligible for an open work visa for 2 years. But this is only applicable if the program ends before December 31, 2021.

1 year

  • If you complete a Graduate Diploma Level 7 program in Auckland after at least one year of study (from 30 weeks), you are eligible for an open work visa for 1 year. Plus another 1 year if you are working for local professional registration.
  • If you complete any other Level 7 program in Auckland after at least one year of study (30 weeks or more).
  • If you complete a Level 4-6 program or programs in Auckland after at least two years of study (from 60 weeks).

From 2022, international students who complete their studies at levels 4-6 after two years of study or after graduating from level 7 (non-degree) will be eligible for a one-year post-study work visa. If they complete their studies on a Graduate Diploma program required for obtaining professional registration, one additional year of open post-study work visa can be granted. Students who graduate from Bachelor level 7 programs and above will continue to be eligible for three-year post-study work visas.

Required documents

  • Work Visa Application Form and Passport
  • Educational documents suitable for the conditions of obtaining a visa
  • Bank statement with NZ $ 4200 in the account
  • X-ray and medical examination result, if not provided earlier
  • Certificate of no criminal record, if not provided earlier

It is important to remember that you must submit the documents within 3 months after your student visa expiration.

This information is based on materials from Immigration New Zealand. Read more about the Post Study Work Visa on the official INZ website.

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