Staying to work after finishing your study
When you finish your studies, you can apply to work in New Zealand on a Post Study Work Visa, or explore other visa options.
Working in New Zealand
You may be able to stay and work in New Zealand when you finish your studies. To do this, you will need a work visa.
If you meet the qualification requirements, you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa, allowing you to stay and work here for up to 3 years. How long you can stay and the work you can do will depend on your qualification.
A qualification of degree level 7 or above, completed over at least 30 weeks of full-time study, allows you to work for any employer and do almost any sort of work.
You may also be eligible for more specific work visas, but that could depend on your circumstances, skills and job offer (if you have one).
Who can get a Post Study Work Visa
To get a Post Study Work Visa you must have:
- completed a degree of level 7, or higher
- studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand.
If you have completed a qualification below degree level, you may still be eligible, but you will need to:
- have a qualification that is on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa
- have studied full-time in New Zealand, and for the full duration required to gain the qualification
- take a job that is related to your studies.
Note
If you complete an eligible qualification, and immediately after achieve a higher-level qualification in less than 30 weeks (meaning it does not meet the requirements), you can apply for the Post Study Work Visa based on your first qualification, but must do so no later than 12 months after your student visa for the first qualification expires.
Qualifications needed for a Post Study Work Visa
If you applied for a student visa before 12 May 2022
If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022 and your qualification is not on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may still be able to get a Post Study Work Visa. However, you must have an
Qualifications needed for a Post Study Work Visa
Student visa granted under border exception (cohort 4)
If you entered New Zealand as part of the border exception for 5,000 new and returning students (cohort 4), you may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. You will need to have an
Applying after completing post-graduate study
If you complete a post-graduate degree straight after completing your undergraduate degree, you may be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa.
Applying after submitting a doctoral degree thesis
If you studied towards a doctoral degree level qualification, you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa after submitting your thesis.
How long you can stay on a Post Study Work Visa
The length of your Post Study Work Visa will depend on the qualification you have completed in New Zealand. If you have completed a master’s or doctoral level qualification, and studied here for at least 30 weeks, you can work in New Zealand for 3 years.
If you have completed a qualification at level 8 or below, you will be given a visa equal to the time you spent studying for the qualification, to be confirmed by the education provider.
If you fail a course or take longer to complete your study than what is stated on your offer of place, this will not extend the length of your visa. If the length of your study is different from the offer of place, we may ask your education provider for more information.
Find out more about meeting the requirements for a Post Study Work Visa.
About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)
Bringing your partner and children
If you have a Post Study Work Visa, your partner can apply for a work visa, and dependent children can study as domestic students.
Applying for another visa
You may be able to apply for another Post Study Work Visa, but only if:
- you complete another qualification in New Zealand that:
- requires 30 weeks or more of study
- is a bachelor's degree or post-graduate qualification
- is at a higher level than the qualification you used to get your previous visa, and
- you applied for your second student visa before 12 May 2022.
If you need more time to complete occupational registration, you may be given a further one-year visa.
Finding a job
New Zealand's job market may be different from what you are used to. There is more information on this website to help you prepare for finding a job in New Zealand.
Finding work — Live and Work New Zealand
Studying for qualifications in an occupation for which there is a skill shortage may increase your chances of getting a job.
The 'Green List' is a list of occupations that in are demand. If your job is listed, and you have the qualifications, registration or experience required, you may be able to get residence immediately, or after 2 years working here.