Post Study Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Post Study Work Visa
Stay	Up to 3 years
Cost	From NZD $1,670
Processing	80% within 4 weeks
Eligibility timing	Usually within 3 months
Work rights	Depends on qualification level
Study	Up to 3 months yearly
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple-entry if eVisa states
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Residence option	Can lead to resident visa
Family sponsorship	Partner and dependent children
Visa record	eVisa
Funds required	At least NZD $5,000
Visa limit	Available only once

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Purpose

This visa lets recent New Zealand graduates stay and work in New Zealand after completing an approved qualification.

The permitted stay is up to 3 years, depending on the qualification level and study duration.

Eligibility

You must:

• have recently completed an eligible qualification in New Zealand
• meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements
• have at least NZD $5,000 for living costs
• apply within the required timeframe
• remain on a valid visa while in New Zealand.

Eligible qualifications

You may qualify with:

• a degree level 7 or higher qualification, studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks; or
• an eligible non-degree level 7 or lower qualification, studied full-time in New Zealand for the full required duration.

Non-degree level 7 or lower qualifications must be on the eligible qualification list. You must intend to work in a role related to that qualification.

If you complete a higher qualification immediately after an eligible first qualification, but the higher qualification was studied for less than 30 weeks, you may apply based on the first qualification.

Application deadlines

Apply no later than:

• 3 months after your student visa expires;
• 3 months after the second student visa ends, if you completed a bachelor’s degree immediately followed by honours or a postgraduate diploma under consecutive student visas;
• 6 months after your student visa expires, if you completed a doctoral degree; or
• 12 months after the first student visa expires, if you completed an eligible qualification followed immediately by a higher qualification studied for less than 30 weeks.

Doctoral students may apply after submitting their thesis.

Immigration New Zealand checks its records to confirm you applied on time.

If you did not complete the qualification recorded on your student visa, your application may not be approved.

Future eligibility change

From 16 November 2026, eligibility will extend to applicants with:

• an NZQCF level 7 graduate diploma studied full-time in New Zealand; and
• a bachelor’s degree completed in New Zealand or overseas.

Funds, Health and Character

Living funds

Provide documents, such as bank statements in your name, showing at least NZD $5,000 available for your stay. This applies whether applying for a 1-, 2- or 3-year visa.

You may be asked to show this evidence on arrival.

Health

Immigration New Zealand may require a chest X-ray, medical examination, or both.

For stays over 6 months, a chest X-ray is required if you:

• are from a country without low tuberculosis incidence; or
• spent more than 3 months in the past 5 years in such a country.

A new chest X-ray certificate may be required if, since your last certificate, you spent 6 consecutive months in a country without low tuberculosis incidence and are now coming to New Zealand for more than 6 months.

Character

You may need police certificates if you are aged 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer, including previous stays.

Police certificates must:

• be less than 6 months old when you apply;
• cover countries of citizenship; and
• cover countries where you lived more than 5 years since turning 17.

You may not need new certificates if you supplied them for an earlier application and they were issued within the past 24 months.

A criminal conviction or security risk may prevent visa approval.

Work Rights and Conditions

Degree level 7 or higher

You may work in any legal job, anywhere in New Zealand, provided you:

• hold any required occupational registration;
• do not provide commercial sexual services; and
• do not invest in or operate a business providing commercial sexual services.

You may be a sole trader or own a business, but an owner-operated business cannot employ people directly or indirectly.

Non-degree level 7 or lower

You must work in a job related to your completed qualification. This requirement will be recorded in your visa conditions.

Study Rights

You may study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.

You may be able to undertake other study required by your employer. For longer study, apply for a variation of visa conditions.

Family Provisions

You may support visa applications for:

• your partner, who may apply for a work visa; and
• dependent children, who may apply for student visas as domestic students in New Zealand.

Required Documents

Provide:

• a passport or certificate of identity;
• one acceptable photo for online applications, or two for paper applications;
• proof of your completed New Zealand qualification;
• police certificates, if required; and
• evidence of at least NZD $5,000 in available funds.

Your passport or certificate of identity must remain valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand.

Qualification evidence may be:

• your qualification certificate;
• an academic transcript; or
• a letter from your tertiary provider confirming completion.

Provide certified English translations and original-document copies for police and medical certificates not in English.

Additional documents may apply for certain applicants, including applicants from China, Hong Kong, Macao, Indonesia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, or New Caledonia.

How to Apply

Online

1. Complete your eligible New Zealand qualification.
2. Gather identity, qualification, financial, health and character evidence.
3. Create or log in to an Immigration Online account.
4. Complete the application, upload documents and pay the applicable fees.
5. Check your online account for updates and respond to requests.

Apply online: Immigration Online

Paper application

1. Complete the eligible qualification.
2. Gather required documents.
3. Complete the Work Visa Application (INZ 1015).
4. Submit the application and pay the applicable fees.

See the Work Visa Guide (INZ 1016).

Decision and Visa Validity

If approved, you receive an eVisa by email.

Your visa starts:

• on the date you enter New Zealand, if approved while outside New Zealand; or
• on the date the visa is granted, if you are already in New Zealand.

You must leave New Zealand before the visa expires.

If you are in New Zealand and your current temporary visa expires while the application is pending, Immigration New Zealand will normally issue an Interim Visa so you can remain lawfully.

Travel and Arrival

Your eVisa records your travel conditions.

You need a valid multiple-entry travel condition to leave and return to New Zealand. If you leave without one, your visa expires.

Unless your visa says “Return/onward travel not required”, you must have a ticket to leave New Zealand whenever travelling to New Zealand.

All travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration:

• from 24 hours before an air journey begins; or
• from 24 hours before a ship leaves its last overseas port.

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• no longer meet character requirements;
• have changed circumstances since visa approval;
• refuse biometric collection; or
• cannot show onward travel or funds to leave New Zealand.