Short-Term Graduate Work Visa

This visa allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to 6 months.

You can only have 1 Short-Term Graduate Work Visa. It cannot be extended and you cannot apply for another.

Staying to work after finishing your study

To apply for this visa, you must:

• have completed an eligible New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) level 5 to 7 qualification that you studied full-time for 24 weeks in New Zealand
• have had a valid student visa within the 3 months before you apply
• have at least NZD $5,000 in available funds to support yourself during your stay
• not previously have had a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa or Post-Study Work Visa
• be in good health
• have a good character
• have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand.

New Zealand qualification

You must have successfully completed a New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) level 5 to 7 qualification that:

• you studied full-time for at least 24 weeks in New Zealand
• is not an English language, foundation or bridging qualification (such as study preparation or a certificate of proficiency)
• is not a micro-credential, and
• is not a qualification eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa.

The amount of time you studied includes exam preparation and exams.

The amount of time you studied does not include:

• main holiday periods (for example, mid-year and end-of-year holidays)
• repeating papers, credits or units you did not pass the first time
• studying a different qualification where credits have been transferred (or recognised prior learning).

Qualification evidence

You must provide:

• a copy of your qualification certificate, or
• your academic transcript, or
• a letter from your tertiary education provider confirming you have completed your qualification or that you are eligible to graduate.

If your studies have been supported under the Manaaki New Zealand scholarship programme, you must have written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Education New Zealand.

When to apply

You must apply for a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa no more than 3 months after the end date of your student visa for the qualification you are using to apply.

We will check our records to make sure that you are applying in time.

Have enough money to live on

When you apply, you must provide evidence that shows you have access to funds of at least NZD $5,000 for your stay in New Zealand.

Evidence could include a recent bank statement showing your name and the account balance. We cannot accept a screenshot.

We may ask to see these documents when you arrive in New Zealand.

Health

We are likely to ask you to have a medical examination or chest X-ray, or both, as proof of your good health. We will let you know when we process your application.

Who needs an X-ray or medical examination

Why you may need to provide evidence you are in good health

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.

Character requirements for New Zealand visas

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.

Police certificates

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.

Genuine intentions to visit or work in New Zealand

When you apply, you must provide:

• a copy of your passport or
• 1 acceptable photo
• proof of the qualification you have gained in New Zealand
• police certificates, if required — include translated versions if they are not in English.

Providing your passport for online application

Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA

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.

Why you may need to provide evidence you are in good health

Character requirements for New Zealand visas

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.

As part of New Zealand’s entry requirements, everyone must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). This form collects information about your travel, including customs, immigration, and biosecurity details.

When you can submit your NZTD depends on how you're travelling:

• By air: You can submit it from 24 hours before your journey begins.
• By sea: You can submit it from 24 hours before your ship leaves its last overseas port heading to New Zealand. 

If you have an NZeTA, you can specify in your declaration that you are applying for a visa on arrival.

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.

Arriving 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 multiple-entry travel condition so you can return to New Zealand.

Check or change your work visa conditions

Unless your visa states "Return/onward travel not required", you must have a ticket to leave New Zealand whenever you travel here.

Work

• You can work in any job you like, as long as:
• you work for an employer under an employment contract or a contract for services
• the work you do is legal
• you do not operate a business as an owner
• you do not provide commercial sexual services
• you do not invest in a business that provides commercial sexual services
• you have any occupational registration that is needed to do that work in New Zealand.

Check if you need occupational registration for your job

Study

You can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.

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.

Check or change your visa conditions

You can only have 1 Short-Term Graduate Work Visa. It cannot be extended and you cannot apply for another.

If you want to stay in New Zealand for longer, you must have applied for and been given another visa before your Short-Term Graduate Work Visa expires.

Once you have held a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, you can only apply for another student visa if your proposed study is:

• a bachelor’s degree or programme of study at a higher NZQCF level than the qualification your Short-Term Graduate Work Visa was based on, and
• a qualification that makes you eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa.

Qualifications needed for a Post-Study Work Visa

Explore New Zealand visas