New Zealand has announced a new six-month work visa for eligible international graduates who do not qualify for the country’s existing Post-Study Work Visa.
Applications for the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa will open on November 16, 2026. The visa will provide open work rights, allowing eligible graduates to work for any employer in New Zealand without needing a job offer before applying.
To qualify, applicants must have completed a New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework Level 5, 6, or 7 qualification in New Zealand. The qualification must have been studied full-time for at least 24 weeks and must not already make the graduate eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa.
English-language, foundation, and bridging qualifications will not be eligible.
Applicants must also have at least NZ$5,000 to support themselves and meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements. Applications must be submitted within three months after the applicant’s student visa expires.
The visa can only be granted once and cannot be extended or renewed. It is intended to give graduates additional time to find employment and, if eligible, move to another work visa.
Visa holders will not be allowed to own or operate a business, and any work must be carried out under an employment agreement or a contract for services.
New Zealand is also expanding eligibility for its Post-Study Work Visa from November 16.
Under the revised rules, graduates who complete an eligible Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand may qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa if they already hold a bachelor’s degree from New Zealand or overseas.
The Graduate Diploma must be studied full-time in New Zealand for its entire duration, while cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning will not count toward the required study period.
The Post-Study Work Visa can allow eligible graduates to work in New Zealand for up to three years, depending on their qualification.
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