Post Study Work Visa
Apply for this visa if you want to work in New Zealand soon after you have completed your studies here. It allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years, depending on what you studied.
Apply online-
Length of stay
Up to
3 years
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Cost
From
NZD $1670
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Processing time
80% within
5 weeks
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Residency option
Can lead to a residence visa
Yes
To apply you must:
- have recently finished studying in New Zealand for an approved qualification
- apply no later than 3, 6 or 12 months after your student visa expires, depending on what you studied and what visa you had
- have at least NZD $5,000 to pay your living expenses
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
This visa lets you:
- stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years depending on your study
- work for any employer in any job if you have a degree level 7 or higher qualification
- work for an employer in a job that meets our requirements if you have a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification
- support visas for your partner and dependent children — your partner can apply for a work visa and your children can apply for student visas to study as
in New Zealand.
You can only have this visa once.
If you applied for your Student Visa on or before 11 May 2022 you may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa that lets you work for any employer, even if your qualification is not on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. You must have an acceptable qualification.
How long you can stay
You can stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years depending on the level of your qualification and how long you spent studying for it.
Who can apply
To apply for this visa, you must have recently finished studying in New Zealand and have:
- a degree level 7 or higher qualification — level 8 Postgraduate Diploma, level 9 Masters degree or level 10 Doctoral degree
- a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification that is on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa — you must intend to work in a job that is related to what you studied, and apply in time
- be in good health
- have a good character
- have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand
- have enough money to pay your expenses.
New Zealand qualification
You must have gained a qualification in New Zealand that lets you apply for this visa.
You must provide:
- a copy of your qualification
- your academic transcript, or
- a letter from your tertiary education provider confirming you have completed your qualification.
If you have studied a degree level 7 or higher qualification, you must have studied it full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand.
If you have studied a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification, it must be on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. Your study must have been full-time in New Zealand, and for the full duration required to gain the qualification. The job you end up taking must be related to what you studied. This will be specified in your visa conditions.
If you immediately follow your first qualification with a higher-level qualification that you studied towards for less than 30 weeks, which does not meet the requirements for a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV), you can apply for a PSWV based on your first qualification.
Alert
If you applied for your student visa before 11 May 2022, the qualifications that let you apply for this visa are different.
When to apply
You must apply for a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) no later than 3 months after your student visa expires, or within 3 months of the end date of your student visa for a second qualification (if you completed a bachelor's degree immediately followed by an honours or post-graduate diploma and held consecutive student visas for these qualifications), except if you completed:
- a Doctoral degree, you must apply for a PSWV no later than 6 months after your student visa expires
- an eligible qualification for a PSWV and then, immediately after, completed a higher-level qualification in less than 30 weeks, you can apply for a PSWV based on your first qualification no later than 12 months after your student visa for the first qualification expires.
For example, if you completed a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) that was full-time for at least 30 weeks, and then you enrolled straight away in a Master's degree and completed it in less than 30 weeks, you can apply for a PSWV based on your PGDip, your first qualification. You will have 12 months from the end date of your visa for the PGDip to apply.
We will check our records to make sure that you are applying in time.
Note
If you did not complete the qualification recorded on your student visa, we may not approve your Post Study Work Visa application.
Health
We may ask you to have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both as proof of your good health.
When we process your application, we will let you know by email if we need you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination.
Update on medical certificate requests on Immigration Online
If you are staying less than:
- 6 months, you do not normally need a chest X-ray
- 12 months, you do not normally need a medical certificate.
If staying for more than 6 months
If you will stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months, you must have a chest X-ray if you:
- are a citizen of a country that does not have a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB), or
- have spent more than 3 months in the last 5 years in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB.
You must provide a new chest X-ray certificate, even if you have provided one to us previously, if you:
- have spent 6 months in a row in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB since the date of your last X-ray certificate, and
- are now coming to New Zealand for more than 6 months — if you are in New Zealand this includes any time you have already spent here.
Character
You may need to provide police certificates as proof of your good character.
If you have a criminal conviction or are a security risk to New Zealand we might not give you a visa.
You must provide police certificates that are less than 6 months old when you apply if:
- you are aged 17 or older, and
- your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer. This includes time you spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas.
Police certificates must be from:
- countries you are a citizen of, and
- countries you have spent more than 5 years in since you turned 17.
You do not need to provide police certificates if you provided them with an earlier visa application, and they were issued in the last 24 months.
If we ask for a new police certificate when processing your application, you will need to send us a new one.
Genuine intentions
When we decide if your intentions are genuine, we consider all the information that:
- you provide to support your application
- we have about your personal circumstances
- you have previously provided to us.
Have enough money to live on
When you apply you must provide documents, such as bank statements in your name, that show you have at least NZD $5,000 in total for your stay.
This applies to visa applications for 1, 2 or 3 years.
We may ask to see these documents when you arrive in New Zealand.
Documents you need
When you apply
When you apply, you need to provide:
- a copy of your passport or
— if you apply on paper it must be a - 1 acceptable photo if you apply online, or 2 photos if you apply on paper
- proof of the qualification you have gained in New Zealand
- police certificates, if required — include translated versions if they are not in English.
Note
Your passport or certificate of identity must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
- passport from Hong Kong
- Hong Kong document of identity
- Hong Kong British National Overseas passport (HKBNO)
- passport from Macao
If you are not a French national, also provide a copy of your carte d’assuré.
Also provide a copy of your livret de famille.
If you are not a French national, also provide a copy of your carte d’assuré.
If you are a citizen of Indonesia, also provide your
You must also provide a completed supplementary form giving more details of your background and intentions.
You may also provide your Hukou household registration book as an additional form of identity.
You may also provide your identity card as an additional form of identity.
If you are applying within China, Hong Kong or Macao, you must also provide a completed supplementary form if you are applying with a:
After you apply
After you apply, we may contact you and ask for:
- evidence of a medical examination or chest X-ray
- police certificates as proof of your good character.
How to apply online
Follow these steps to complete your application online.
Note
To help prevent delays with processing, make sure your application contains all the required documents.
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1
Step 1: Successfully complete your qualification
When you have successfully completed your New Zealand qualification you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa.
You must apply for this visa:
- no later than 3 months after the end date of your student visa for your qualification
- within 3 months of the end date of your student visa for a second qualification — if you completed a bachelor's degree immediately followed by an honours or post-graduate diploma and held consecutive student visas for these qualifications
- no later than 6 months after the end date of your student visa if your qualification is a Doctoral degree, or
- within 12 months of the end date of your student visa for your first qualification — if you immediately completed a second, higher-level, qualification in less than 30 months.
If you studied towards a Doctoral degree, you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa after submitting your thesis.
We will check our records to make sure that you are applying in time.
You must remain on a valid visa at all times while you are in New Zealand.
Note
If you do not complete the qualification recorded on your student visa, we may not approve your Post Study Work Visa application.
-
2
Step 2: Gather your documents
The section 'Who can apply' explains the requirements for this visa and what you will need as proof.
Our guide to applying can also help you.
Get documents translated
For your application, you must provide:
- certified English translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- copies of the original documents.
Note
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Organise proof of identity and citizenship
If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
When you apply, make sure you enter your identity details exactly as they appear on your passport or certificate of identity.
Alert
If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application may be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa.
Book medical appointments, if required
After you apply online, we will contact you if we need you to organise a medical appointment. Your appointment should be for no earlier than 3 months before your arrival.
Apply for police certificates, if required
Check what you will need to include for a work visa.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we require police certificates from you.
Note
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. Allow yourself enough time to get these certificates.
Organise proof of your qualification
Get a copy of your qualification, or a letter or academic transcript from your tertiary education provider confirming you have completed your qualification.
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Get recent bank statements in your name that show you have at least NZD $5000.
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3
Step 3: Submit your application and pay the fee
To apply online, log in to your account, or set up an account if you do not have one already.
You can then fill in your application, upload your documents and pay the applicable fees.
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for fees.
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4
Step 4: Wait for our decision
We will let you know if we need more information to process your application.
How long it takes to process an application
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for timeframes.
Note
If you are already in New Zealand, you must have a valid visa. If your current temporary visa is going to expire while you are waiting for our decision, we will normally issue you an Interim Visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.
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5
Step 5: Check your application status
Log in to your account to check the status of your application.
We will email you when we make a decision.
If we approve your application, we will give you an eVisa and email you a copy.
Checking you visa application status
Check the 'While you are in New Zealand' section to find out what you can and cannot do when you come to New Zealand.
How to apply on paper
Follow these steps to complete your application on paper.
Note
To help prevent delays with processing, make sure your application contains all the required documents.
-
1
Step 1: Successfully complete your qualification
When you have successfully completed your New Zealand qualification you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa.
You must apply for this visa:
- no later than 3 months after the end date of your student visa for your qualification
- within 3 months of the end date of your student visa for a second qualification — if you completed a bachelor's degree immediately followed by an honours or post-graduate diploma and held consecutive student visas for these qualifications
- no later than 6 months after the end date of your student visa if your qualification is a Doctoral degree, or
- within 12 months of the end date of your student visa for your first qualification — if you immediately completed a second, higher-level, qualification in less than 30 months.
If you studied towards a Doctoral degree, you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa after submitting your thesis.
We will check our records to make sure that you are applying in time.
You must remain on a valid visa at all times while you are in New Zealand.
Note
If you do not complete the qualification recorded on your student visa, we may not approve your Post Study Work Visa application.
-
2
Step 2: Gather your documents
The section 'Who can apply' explains the requirements for this visa and what you will need as proof.
Our guide to applying can also help you.
Get documents translated
For your application, you must provide:
- certified English translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- copies of the original documents.
Note
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Organise proof of identity and citizenship
If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
When you apply, make sure you enter your identity details exactly as they appear on your passport or certificate of identity.
Alert
If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application may be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa.
Book medical appointments, if required
After you apply online, we will contact you if we need you to organise a medical appointment. Your appointment should be for no earlier than 3 months before your arrival.
Apply for police certificates, if required
Check what you will need to include for a work visa.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we require police certificates from you.
Note
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. Allow yourself enough time to get these certificates.
Organise proof of your qualification
Get a copy of your qualification, or a letter or academic transcript from your tertiary education provider confirming you have completed your qualification.
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Get recent bank statements in your name that show you have at least NZD $5000.
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3
Step 3: Complete the application form
Complete the application form and attach all supporting documents.
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4
Step 4: Submit your application and pay the fee
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for fees and where to submit your application.
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5
Step 5: Wait for our decision
We will let you know if we need more information to process your application.
How long it takes to process an application
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for timeframes.
Note
If you are already in New Zealand, you must have a valid visa. If your current temporary visa is going to expire while you are waiting for our decision, we will normally issue you an Interim Visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.
When we make a decision, we will email you.
If we approve your application, we will give you an eVisa and email you a copy.
Check the 'While you are in New Zealand' section to find out what you can and cannot do when you come to New Zealand.
How to pay and submit
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Enter your details so we can show information that is relevant to you.
When you get your visa
Your visa is valid from:
- the date you enter New Zealand, if you are outside New Zealand when we approve your application, or
- the date you get your visa, if you are already in New Zealand.
You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.
When you arrive
Entry permission
You must apply for permission to enter New Zealand before you arrive. You do this by completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form.
You can start your declaration any time, but the earliest you can submit your digital NZTD is 24 hours before starting your travel to New Zealand.
A paper declaration form is available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.
Alert
You can be refused entry permission if you:
- do not meet our character requirements
- have had a change in circumstances since we approved your visa
- refuse to let us take your photo, fingerprints or an iris scan
- cannot provide evidence of any travel out of New Zealand or the money required to leave New Zealand.
While you are in New Zealand
Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.
Travel
If you are travelling in and out of New Zealand, your visa must have a valid
Check or change your visa conditions
The travel conditions are recorded in your eVisa.
Alert
If your visa does not have a multiple-entry travel condition and you leave New Zealand, your visa will expire.
Unless your visa states "Return/onward travel not required" you must have a ticket to leave New Zealand whenever you travel here.
Work
If you have a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification and your qualification is on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you must work in a job that is related to what you studied — this will be listed in the conditions on your visa.
If you have a degree level 7 or higher qualification, you can work in almost any job for any employer in New Zealand.
Note
You cannot provide commercial sexual services, or run or invest in a business that provides commercial sexual services.
Study
You can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.
Note
You may be able to do other study if it is required by your employer as part of your employment.
If you want to study longer than 3 months, you can apply for a variation of conditions to your work visa.