Post-Study Work Rights in New Zealand
Up to three years —but not for every qualification.
An eligible Post Study Work Visa can let a graduate stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years. The exact length and the work conditions depend entirely on the qualification you completed and how you studied it — and a person is normally granted only one, ever.
- For an eligible master's or doctorate
- 3 yearsFor an eligible master's or doctorate
- Required inside the qualification itself
- 30 weeksRequired inside the qualification itself
- Per person, ever
- One PSWVPer person, ever
After you graduate
Post-study work rights
For many international students, the chance to gain professional experience after graduation is the strongest reason to choose New Zealand. An eligible Post Study Work Visa can let a graduate stay and work here for up to three years — but the exact length and the work conditions depend entirely on the qualification you completed and how you studied it.
Post-study work rights at a glance
Verified September 2026
| Qualification | Study requirement | Visa length | Work conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible non-degree qualificationLevel 4–7 | The full required duration of the listed qualification, full time in New Zealand | Equal to time spent studying in New Zealand | Work must be related to the qualification |
| Bachelor's DegreeLevel 7 | At least 30 weeks full time in New Zealand | Equal to study duration, up to 3 years | Open |
| Postgraduate DiplomaLevel 8 | At least 30 weeks full time in New Zealand | Equal to study duration — often about a year for a one-year PGDip | Open |
| Master's DegreeLevel 9 | At least 30 weeks within the master's programme itself | 3 years | Open |
| Doctoral Degree / PhDLevel 10 | At least 30 weeks full time in New Zealand | 3 years | Open |
| Graduate Diploma held with a Bachelor's degreeLevel 7From 16 Nov 2026 | Full duration of the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand, with no cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning | Up to 1 year | Confirm against INZ's published instructions |
| Short Term Graduate Work Visa — a separate visa, not a PSWVLevel 5–7From 16 Nov 2026 | At least 24 weeks full time in New Zealand; not an English language, foundation or bridging qualification | 6 months, granted once only | Open, but no business ownership and no partner or dependent support |
- Level 4–7
Eligible non-degree qualification
- Study requirement
- The full required duration of the listed qualification, full time in New Zealand
- Visa length
- Equal to time spent studying in New Zealand
- Work conditions
- Work must be related to the qualification
- Level 7
Bachelor's Degree
- Study requirement
- At least 30 weeks full time in New Zealand
- Visa length
- Equal to study duration, up to 3 years
- Work conditions
- Open
- Level 8
Postgraduate Diploma
- Study requirement
- At least 30 weeks full time in New Zealand
- Visa length
- Equal to study duration — often about a year for a one-year PGDip
- Work conditions
- Open
- Level 9
Master's Degree
- Study requirement
- At least 30 weeks within the master's programme itself
- Visa length
- 3 years
- Work conditions
- Open
- Level 10
Doctoral Degree / PhD
- Study requirement
- At least 30 weeks full time in New Zealand
- Visa length
- 3 years
- Work conditions
- Open
- Level 7From 16 Nov 2026
Graduate Diploma held with a Bachelor's degree
- Study requirement
- Full duration of the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand, with no cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning
- Visa length
- Up to 1 year
- Work conditions
- Confirm against INZ's published instructions
- Level 5–7From 16 Nov 2026
Short Term Graduate Work Visa — a separate visa, not a PSWV
- Study requirement
- At least 24 weeks full time in New Zealand; not an English language, foundation or bridging qualification
- Visa length
- 6 months, granted once only
- Work conditions
- Open, but no business ownership and no partner or dependent support
Open work conditions mean the visa does not tie you to a job related to your qualification. You must still meet any occupational registration or legal requirement for the work you actually do.
What each qualification actually gets you
For a non-degree qualification at NZQCF Level 4 to 7, the exact qualification must appear on Immigration New Zealand's official list of qualifications eligible for a PSWV, and you must complete the full required duration of it full time in New Zealand.
Where one of these does qualify, the visa carries a condition requiring you to work in a job related to what you studied. That makes the eligible-qualification list something to check before you enrol, not after you graduate.
Examples currently on INZ's eligible list
- NZ Diploma in Engineering (Level 6), Civil strand — construction project manager, civil engineering technician
- NZ Diploma in Construction (Level 6+), Quantity Surveying strand — quantity surveyor, project builder
- NZ Diploma in Engineering (Level 6), Electrical strand — telecommunications roles, electrical engineering technician
- NZ Diploma in Engineering (Level 6+), Electronics strand — electronic engineering technician
- NZ Diploma in Engineering (Level 6+), Mechanical strand — mechanical engineering technician
- NZ Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 4) — automotive electrician
- NZ Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (Level 4) — diesel motor mechanic
- Listed teaching Graduate Diplomas and selected construction or quantity surveying Graduate Diplomas, subject to the INZ list and registration requirements
Genix tip: Two programmes can both be called “Diploma” and have completely different post-study outcomes. Check the exact NZQCF level, the credits, the full programme title and the INZ eligibility list before you commit a tuition payment.
Changes from 16 November 2026
Not yet in forceImmigration New Zealand announced the following in September 2026 as part of the Government's International Education Going for Growth Plan. Applications under the new settings open on 16 November 2026. Until then the rules above are the ones that apply.
A. Level 7 Graduate Diploma held alongside a Bachelor's degree
PSWV eligibility extends to graduates who complete an NZQCF Level 7 Graduate Diploma full time in New Zealand for the full duration of the qualification and who already hold a Bachelor's degree, completed in New Zealand or overseas. There is no time limit on when that Bachelor's was awarded.
- Cross-crediting and recognition of prior learning cannot be used to shorten the Graduate Diploma study this route requires
- The visa can be issued for the time spent studying the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand, up to a maximum of one year
- An overseas Bachelor's does not require an International Qualification Assessment solely for this route, although INZ may verify authenticity
- Work conditions should be confirmed against INZ's published instructions — the announcement does not state whether the visa carries open or qualification-related conditions
B. A new 6-month Short Term Graduate Work Visa
A separate visa opens for graduates who are not eligible for a standard PSWV. It provides up to six months of open work rights — time to look for work and, where appropriate, move to an Accredited Employer Work Visa. It is not a PSWV and should never be described as a “6-month PSWV”.
- Qualification must be NZQCF Level 5 to 7, studied full time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks
- It cannot be an English language, foundation or bridging qualification, and must not already make you eligible for a standard PSWV
- At least NZD 5,000 in available funds, and an application within 3 months of the student visa ending
- No business ownership, and no partner work visa or dependent child student visa support — partners and children would need visitor visas in their own right
- Applicants must not have previously held a Short Term Graduate Work Visa or a Post Study Work Visa
- A valid medical certificate and chest X-ray are required, depending on the intended length of stay
- Study supported under the New Zealand Scholarship Programme needs written approval from MFAT or Education New Zealand
- Because the application must be lodged within 3 months of the student visa expiring, a student visa that expired before 16 August 2026 will not support an application when the visa opens
Applications are made online through Immigration New Zealand's enhanced Immigration Online platform. Paper Post Study Work Visa applications are not accepted from 16 November 2026, although those lodged on or before 15 November 2026 continue to be processed.
Rules that apply whatever you studied
When to apply
- Most graduates: no later than 3 months after the relevant student visa expires
- Doctoral graduates: no later than 6 months after the student visa expires
- Where an eligible first qualification is immediately followed by a higher-level one completed in under 30 weeks, a PSWV may be claimed from the first qualification within the applicable 12-month window
What you must meet
- At least NZD 5,000 in available funds to support yourself
- Health, character and genuine-reason requirements
- Evidence of successful qualification completion
- You can only ever be granted one Post Study Work Visa
Cost & processing
- The PSWV costs from NZD 1,670
- INZ reports 80% of applications processed within 4 weeks
- Processing times are an indicator, not a guaranteed decision date
Family on a standard PSWV
- A PSWV holder may support visa applications for a partner and dependent children, subject to their own eligibility
- A partner can apply for a work visa
- Dependent children can apply for student visas under the relevant rules
- None of this applies to the Short Term Graduate Work Visa
Post-study work and the Green List are not the same thing
The PSWV gives eligible graduates time to work here. The Green List identifies occupations with specified residence pathways and their own occupation requirements. A carefully planned route uses both, in order.
Neither a qualification, a PSWV nor Green List alignment guarantees a job or residence. Plan around the actual profession and its current requirements — and ask us the harder question, which is not how long you can stay, but whether the programme gives you the skills, the work conditions and a realistic career direction.
So what is the strongest option?
Ranked by post-study outcome rather than by level — which is why the Postgraduate Diploma sits below the Bachelor's here despite being a level above it.
Master's
Level 93-year open PSWV after at least 30 weeks of qualifying study within the master's itself.
PhD / Doctorate
Level 103-year open PSWV, claimable after thesis submission, with a 6-month application window.
Bachelor's
Level 7Open PSWV, with duration based on time spent studying the degree in New Zealand, up to 3 years.
Postgraduate Diploma
Level 8Open PSWV with duration based on the time spent studying the qualification.
Eligible diploma / non-degree study
Level 4–7Only selected qualifications qualify, and the work you do must relate to what you studied.
Short Term Graduate Work Visa
Level 5–7From 16 November 2026: 6 months of open work rights for graduates who do not qualify for a PSWV, after at least 24 weeks of full-time study. A job-search bridge, not a post-study work visa, and no partner or dependent support.
Graduation and the visa that follows feel like the reward after years of tuition, assignments and hard work. The real value is not the extra time in New Zealand — it is the professional experience, the confidence and the career direction you build during it.
Ready to Start YourNew Zealand Journey?
Talk to a Genix Education counsellor and get a personalised plan — course, institution, funds, visa and scholarships.
