Post-Study Work Visa

At a glance

The Post-Study work visa allows applicants who have completed a New Zealand qualification to work after their study. The visa duration depends on the qualification level and study time. [WD3.5] An offer of employment is not required at lodgement. [WD2] Applicants must lodge their application in the prescribed manner, provide evidence of the completed qualification, and show at least NZ$5,000 in available funds. [WD2]

How to apply

Applicants must: [WD2]

1. Lodge their application in the prescribed manner for a temporary entry class visa — see the general lodging process at Lodging a temporary visa application. The mandatory lodgement requirements under E4.50 apply.
2. Provide evidence that they have completed a qualification in New Zealand that meets the requirements set out in WD3 [WD3].
3. Provide evidence that they have a minimum of NZ$5,000 in funds available to maintain themselves during their stay in New Zealand.

No offer of employment is required. [WD2]

Eligibility criteria

The Post-Study work visa is available to applicants who have completed an eligible New Zealand qualification. The qualification must satisfy the requirements of WD3 [WD3]. Lodgement must comply with E4.50 and the applicant must show maintenance funds of NZ$5,000. [WD2]

An offer of employment is not a condition of application or grant. [WD2]

Qualifying qualifications and timing (WD3.1)

To be granted a Post-Study work visa, the applicant must meet all of the following: [WD3.1]

• Eligible qualification — the qualification is a New Zealand qualification studied for the minimum duration: [WD3.1]
  • A level 8 to 10 qualification studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or
  • A degree at level 7 studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or
  • A qualification at level 4 to 7 listed on Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (Appendix 13) studied full-time in New Zealand for the full duration required to obtain that qualification.
• Application timing — the applicant must apply: [WD3.1]
  • No later than 3 months after the end date of the student visa for that qualification; or
  • No later than 6 months if the qualification is a Doctoral degree; or
  • Within 3 months of the end date of the student visa for the second qualification, if they completed a Bachelor's degree immediately followed by an Honours or Postgraduate Diploma and held consecutive student visas (or interim visas with study conditions) for these qualifications; or
  • Within 12 months of the end date of the student visa for the initial qualification, if they completed an eligible qualification immediately followed by a higher-level qualification that does not meet the duration/level requirements, and held consecutive student visas (or interim visas with study conditions) for these qualifications.
• Successful completion — the applicant must have successfully completed the qualification for which the student visa was granted, or, for a Doctoral student, provide evidence from the education provider that the thesis has been submitted for examination. [WD3.1]
• No previous Post-Study work visa — the applicant must not have previously been granted a Post-Study work visa. [WD3.1]
• Funds — NZ$5,000 available for maintenance. [WD3.1]
• Scholarship approval — if the studies were supported under the New Zealand scholarship programme administered by MFAT, written approval from MFAT under U11.1(d) is required. [WD3.1]

Note on study weeks: Study weeks include exam preparation time and exclude holiday periods, time spent repeating failed components, and time spent studying a different qualification where credits have been transferred. [WD3.1]

Evidence for level 4–7 non-degree qualifications

Where a non-degree qualification at level 4 to 7 must meet specific knowledge requirements listed in Appendix 13, evidence may be: [WD3.1]

• A declaration from the applicant confirming the course meets the knowledge requirements; or
• A letter from the education provider confirming the course meets the knowledge requirements.

An immigration officer may request further evidence if not satisfied. [WD3.1]

Visa duration and conditions (WD3.5)

The duration of the Post-Study work visa is determined by the qualification completed as set out in the table below. [WD3.5]

Qualification completed	Full-time study duration in NZ	Visa duration
Non-degree level 7 or below	Full duration required to obtain that qualification	Duration the student spent studying the qualification in NZ, as determined by the education provider
Level 7 Bachelor's degree or level 8 qualification	At least 30 weeks	Duration the student spent studying, as determined by the education provider
Level 9 or 10 qualification (Master's or Doctoral)	At least 30 weeks	3 years
Bachelor's degree immediately followed by an Honours or Postgraduate Diploma (see WD3.1(b)(iii))	At least 30 weeks per individual qualification	Total time spent studying all qualifications in NZ, up to a maximum of three years
Consecutive qualifications meeting WD3.1(b)(iv)	Initial qualification meets WD3.1(a)	Duration spent studying the initial qualification as determined by the education provider
Non-degree level 8 or below requiring occupational registration or affiliate membership (WD3.5.5)	Meets (i) above if level 7 or below; meets (ii) above if level 8	1 year (or part) additional to study duration, up to a total of three years

The study duration is confirmed by the education provider (offer of place or confirmation letter) and excludes time for repeating failed components. An immigration officer may request further evidence if the actual study duration does not align with the expected length. [WD3.5]

Work conditions:

• A Post-Study work visa granted on the basis of a Bachelor's degree or a qualification at levels 8–10 allows the holder to undertake any work, in any occupation and in any location. [WD3.5]
• A visa granted on the basis of a non-degree qualification at level 7 or below restricts work to the occupation related to the qualification, as specified in the Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa list (Appendix 13). [WD3.5]

Self-employment is permitted, but holders are restricted from employing others, either directly or indirectly through a business they operate as an owner. [WD3.5]

Additional year for occupational registration (WD3.5.5)

If the applicant holds a non-degree level 7 or below qualification on the Appendix 13 list, or a non-degree level 8 qualification, they may be granted one extra year on their Post-Study work visa (up to a total of three years) if they are working towards registration or affiliate membership with either the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand or the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors, and need up to one year of additional work experience to obtain registration. [WD3.5]

Note: Completion of the New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Level 6 plus one year of quantity surveying work experience in New Zealand meets the requirements for Affiliate Membership of the NZ Institute of Quantity Surveyors (Pathway 1). [WD3.5]

Interpretation & edge cases

• No job offer required — the absence of an employment-offer requirement means the visa is not tied to a specific employer or role at the point of lodgement. [WD2]
• Funds evidence — the NZ$5,000 minimum is a standalone requirement; it is not reduced if the applicant already holds funds from a previous visa. Satisfying the maintenance-funds requirement under U3.20 (student) does not automatically satisfy this requirement, though the same evidence may be reused if it meets the threshold. [WD2]
• Open work for higher-level qualifications — graduates with a Bachelor's degree or higher receive an open work visa allowing work in any occupation, providing maximum flexibility. Graduates of non-degree level 7 or below are restricted to the occupation related to their qualification as per Appendix 13. [WD3.5]
• Self-employment with limits — while self-employment is allowed, the holder cannot employ staff, directly or indirectly, which may affect those wishing to establish a business that requires employees. [WD3.5]
• Duration caps — the maximum total duration of a Post-Study work visa is three years, even when combining study time and any additional year for occupational registration. [WD3.5]

Citations

• WD2 — Lodging an application under Post-Study work visa instructions
• WD3 — Requirements for Post-Study work visa
• WD3.1 — Determining a Post-Study work visa
• WD3.5 — Currency and conditions of Post-study work visas