The Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) lets eligible international graduates stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years after completing their studies.
From 16 November 2026, eligibility will expand for some graduates, with a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa also being introduced.
Detail | Current requirement |
Length of stay | Up to 3 years |
Visa cost | From NZ$1,670 |
Funds required | At least NZ$5,000 |
Work rights | Depend on your qualification |
Processing time | Around 5–6 weeks |
Lifetime limit | Generally one PSWV |
2026 changes | New eligibility from 16 November 2026 |
You may qualify for a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) if you recently completed an eligible qualification in New Zealand.
Under the current rules, you generally need to:
Complete an eligible New Zealand qualification.
Meet the required full-time study period.
Apply within the required timeframe after your Student Visa ends.
Have at least NZ$5,000 available to support yourself.
Meet the health and character requirements.
Not have previously held a Post Study Work Visa.
Your qualification must generally be either:
A degree Level 7 or higher studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks.
An eligible non-degree Level 4–7 qualification on Immigration New Zealand's approved PSWV list, studied full-time for the required duration.
If you completed a doctoral degree, you can apply after submitting your thesis.
Good to know: English language courses alone do not qualify you for a Post Study Work Visa.
Most graduates need to apply within 3 months after their Student Visa expires.
Different timeframes apply in some situations:
Your situation | Application deadline |
Most eligible graduates | Within 3 months |
Doctoral graduates | Within 6 months |
Certain consecutive qualifications | Special 3 or 12-month rules may apply |
Make sure you keep a valid visa while you are in New Zealand, even if you are preparing your PSWV application.
You can stay for up to 3 years, but your visa length depends on the qualification you completed and how long you studied in New Zealand.
Qualification | Work rights | Possible visa length |
Degree Level 7 | Any legal job for any employer | Based on your qualification and study |
Postgraduate Diploma – Level 8 | Any legal job for any employer | Generally based on study duration |
Master's – Level 9 | Any legal job for any employer | Up to 3 years |
Doctoral degree – Level 10 | Any legal job for any employer | Up to 3 years |
Eligible non-degree Level 4–7 | Job must be related to your study | Based on your qualification and study |
For a Master's or doctoral qualification, completing at least 30 weeks of eligible full-time study in New Zealand can qualify you for a 3-year PSWV.
For qualifications at Level 8 or below, your visa is generally granted for a period matching the time you studied the qualification.
Good to know: If you have an eligible non-degree Level 7 or lower qualification, your visa will specify that your job must be related to what you studied.
From 16 November 2026, New Zealand is expanding its post-study work options. The main changes are:
You may qualify if you:
Complete a Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand.
Study it full-time for its full duration.
Complete the full programme without using cross credits or recognition of prior learning.
Already hold a bachelor's degree from New Zealand or overseas.
There is no time limit on when your bachelor's degree was completed.
Your PSWV can be granted for the length of time you studied the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand.
This creates another option if you already have a bachelor's degree and want to complete a more targeted Level 7 qualification rather than another full degree.
From 16 November 2026, some graduates who do not qualify for the standard PSWV can apply for a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa instead.
To qualify, you generally need to:
Complete an NZQCF Level 5–7 qualification.
Study full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks.
Hold a qualification that does not already qualify you for a PSWV.
Apply within 3 months after your Student Visa expires.
Have at least NZ$5,000 available.
Meet the health and character requirements.
Not have previously held a PSWV or Short-Term Graduate Work Visa.
English language, foundation and bridging qualifications are not eligible.
The new visa gives eligible graduates up to 6 months of open work rights.
You can:
Work in any job for any employer.
Look for longer-term skilled employment.
Explore your eligibility for another work visa, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
You can only receive the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa once, and it cannot be extended.
Good to know: The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is an alternative for eligible graduates who do not qualify for the standard PSWV. If your qualification already makes you eligible for a PSWV, you would use the standard PSWV pathway instead.
When you apply for a Post Study Work Visa, you generally need:
A copy of your valid passport.
An acceptable visa photo.
Proof you completed your New Zealand qualification, such as your qualification certificate, academic transcript or completion letter.
Recent bank statements showing at least NZ$5,000 in available funds.
Police certificates, if required.
Medical or chest X-ray evidence, if required.
Certified English translations of required documents that are not in English.
Your passport must generally be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
Good to know: You do not always need to provide new medical or police certificates. Immigration New Zealand will tell you if these are required based on your circumstances and previous visa applications.
Most graduates must apply no later than 3 months after their Student Visa expires.
Doctoral graduates have up to 6 months, while a 12-month timeframe can apply in some cases where you complete an eligible qualification followed immediately by a higher-level qualification.
Gather your passport, qualification evidence, proof of funds and any health or character documents required for your application.
Complete your application through Immigration New Zealand. You can upload your documents and pay the visa fee online.
The Post Study Work Visa currently costs from NZ$1,670.
Currently, 80% of Post Study Work Visa applications are processed within 6 weeks.
Immigration New Zealand will contact you if it needs more information.
Already in New Zealand? You must hold a valid visa while your application is being processed. If your current temporary visa expires while INZ is deciding another temporary visa application, you may be granted an Interim Visa so you can remain lawfully in New Zealand.
Your work rights depend on the qualification you used to qualify for your visa.
If you have an eligible degree Level 7 or higher qualification, you can generally:
Work in any legal job for any employer.
Work as a sole trader or run your own business.
Support an eligible work visa for your partner.
Support student visas for your dependent children.
Travel in and out of New Zealand while your visa is valid.
Study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.
If you have an eligible non-degree Level 7 or lower qualification, your job must generally be related to what you studied and meet the conditions stated on your visa.
Good to know: Your family members do not automatically receive visas with your PSWV. They must apply for their own eligible visas based on their relationship to you.
Yes. From 20 April 2026, eligible Post Study Work Visa holders with open work conditions can work for an employer, become a sole trader or own and operate a business.
However, if you operate your own business, you cannot employ other people, either directly or indirectly.
You must also meet any professional registration requirements for the work you do.
No. You can generally receive a Post Study Work Visa only once.
From 16 November 2026, this lifetime limit will also apply across the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa. If you have previously held a PSWV, you cannot later receive the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, and vice versa.
This makes it important to consider your qualification, PSWV eligibility and longer-term plans before deciding your next course or visa step.
A Post Study Work Visa does not automatically lead to residence. However, it can give you time to find eligible skilled work and build towards a residence pathway.
Depending on your occupation and circumstances, your next step could include:
Straight to Residence: If you have an eligible Tier 1 Green List job or job offer, you may be able to apply directly for residence.
Work to Residence: If you work in an eligible Tier 2 Green List role, you generally need 24 months of qualifying New Zealand work before applying.
Skilled Migrant Category: Depending on your role and background, you may qualify through the points-based, Skilled Work Experience, or Trades and Technician pathway.
Check which occupations are eligible in our Green List Guide.
For pathway-specific requirements, see our Straight to Residence Visa NZ Guide and Work to Residence Visa NZ Guide.
You can also see how these pathways fit into the bigger picture in our Guide to NZ Permanent Residency.
Good to know: Your PSWV gives you time to work in New Zealand, but residence has its own requirements. Check your occupation, pay, work experience and registration requirements early so you know what you may need for your next visa.
A Post Study Work Visa currently costs from NZ$1,670. This includes the visa application fee and immigration levy.
A Post Study Work Visa can let you stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years.
Your visa length depends on what you studied, your qualification level and how long you studied in New Zealand.
Currently, 80% of Post Study Work Visa applications are processed within 5.5 weeks.
Processing times can change, so check the latest Immigration New Zealand timeframe when you are ready to apply.
No. You can generally only receive one Post Study Work Visa.
From 16 November 2026, the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa will have its own eligibility rules. If you have previously held a PSWV, you cannot use the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa as an alternative.
From 16 November 2026, PSWV eligibility will expand to students who complete a Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand and already hold a bachelor's degree.
The PSWV can be granted for the length of the Graduate Diploma study, up to 1 year.
A new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa will also give eligible Level 5–7 graduates who do not qualify for a PSWV up to 6 months to work in New Zealand.
The standard PSWV can let eligible graduates work in New Zealand for up to 3 years, depending on their qualification.
The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa provides up to 6 months of work rights for eligible Level 5–7 graduates who do not qualify for the standard PSWV. It also has different family and business ownership conditions.
Yes, if your PSWV has open work conditions. You can work as a sole trader or own and operate a business, but you cannot employ other people through that business.
Different conditions apply to the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, which does not allow business ownership.
You cannot include your family in your own PSWV application, but you can support eligible visas for your partner and dependent children.
Your partner may be able to apply for a work visa, while your dependent children may be able to apply for student visas. They must meet the requirements for their own visas.
A PSWV does not automatically lead to residence. However, it can give you time to find eligible work and build towards a pathway such as Straight to Residence, Work to Residence or the Skilled Migrant Category.
Your eligibility will depend on your occupation, job, pay and other requirements for your chosen residence pathway.
If you are in New Zealand and your current temporary visa is due to expire while Immigration New Zealand is deciding another temporary visa application, you will normally be granted an Interim Visa.
This lets you remain lawfully in New Zealand while you wait for a decision.
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