As part of the Immigration Rebalance, changes have been made to the Post Study Work Visa eligibility requirements and visa conditions.

These changes are now in effect as of 7 September and apply to new students who apply for a Student Visa after 11 May 2022. These changes include:

• The duration of post study work visas being the same as the duration of study in New Zealand for level 8 and below students. Master’s and doctoral students are eligible for 3 year visas.
• Conditions of post study work visas that are dependent on the qualification that the applicant has gained in New Zealand. People who studied at non-degree levels 4-7 may only work in a field directly linked to their area of study.
• New eligibility requirements for people who studied non-degree levels 4-7. To be eligible, their qualification must be on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa list.

Qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa

There are also transitional arrangements for students who applied for their student visa on or before 11 May 2022, and for students who have been granted a Student Visa as part of the border exception for 5,000 students (cohort 4). In both cases students must have studied an acceptable qualification.

Acceptable qualifications for a Post Study Work Visa (pre 12 May 2022)

Changes have also been made to the eligibility criteria of partners of student work visa holders to replace references to the Long-Term Skill Shortage List with the Green List.

Find out more information by using the links below. 

Post Study Work Visa

Partner of a Student Work Visa

Staying to work after study

Green List