2015-Apr 17: Limited visas for people who intend to study and post-study work visas

Visa Pak 207: Guidelines for staff regarding the eligibility of applicants for student and post-study work visas if they hold limited visas.

Visa Paks

17 April 2015

There has recently been discussion on the use of limited visas for the purpose of study as a full fee-paying student and whether a person holding a limited visa is eligible for a post-study work visa.

Limited visas for study

Officers should carefully consider the information below before issuing a limited visa for the purpose of study as a full fee paying student:

  • The duration of the course of study: a limited visa for the purpose of study as a full time student should only be used for short courses. Please refer to limited visa instructions L2.30(a). Officers should carefully consider whether it is appropriate to issue a limited visa for a course which is longer than three months. Under immigration instructions V2.35 and U2.5, a short course is considered to be one that is no more than three calendar months.
  • Whether the student intends to undertake further study in New Zealand: if the student has indicated that they may like to study additional courses in New Zealand, a limited visa would not be appropriate as the student will not be able to apply for further visas while in New Zealand. Please refer to the limitations of limited visas specified under instructions L2.35.
  • Whether the applicant intends to return to their home country (or any other destination) during vacation periods: L2.25(a) specifies that limited visas are effective for one entry only or if granted in New Zealand will not include travel conditions.

If you decide to issue a limited visa for the purpose of study please note the following information:

  • Please ensure that you select the ‘limited visa study’ application type in AMS.
  • Please select the correct provider and course from the drop down list in AMS.

Eligibility for post-study work visas (WD2)

  • Applicants who are onshore and hold a limited visa to study are not eligible for a Post study work visa – open (WD2). Please refer to L2.35 (b) of the immigration instructions.
  • Applicants who are offshore and held a limited visa to study a qualification which would meet the qualification requirements under WD1.10 are not eligible for a Post study work visa – open. Please refer to the note under WD2 of immigration instructions, which specifies this must have been completed while on a student visa in New Zealand.
  • Applicants who meet the qualification requirements under WD1.10  and who apply within three months after the end date of their student visa (or six months if they were doing a PHD) can be considered for a post-study work visa - open, even if they held a limited visa to study at some time in the past.

Please note this information, particularly those who process student visas, limited visas and post-study work visas.