All You Need to Know About the New Post Study Work Visa Rules in New Zealand
In New Zealand, if graduates would like to apply their knowledge gained in New Zealand to a Kiwi workplace, INZ may grant them work visas to allow them to undertake employment.
On 7th September 2022, the new Post-Study Work Visa rules came into effect in New Zealand.
The duration or eligibility of their Post Study Work Visas will depend on the type and length of the study they have obtained in New Zealand.
Many prospective students in New Zealand will be affected by the new visa rules, but mostly not in their favour. Some may get a shorter visa, only be able to work in particular professions or, in the worst case, will no longer be eligible for a visa.
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An Overview of the New Post-Study Work Visa Rules in New Zealand
Below are the main points of the new rules.
- For students studying level 8 or below, the duration of your Post Study Work Visa will be equal to the time you spent studying in New Zealand.
- For students studying a non-degree level 8 or below course, requiring occupational registration or affiliate membership, one more year may be added on top.
- Doctoral and Master's degree students are eligible for 3-year visas regardless of the length of their study.
- Non-degree level 4–7 graduates may be granted Post Study Work Visa only if their qualifications are listed in the INZ list. They are only permitted to work in occupations described in the INZ list.
I have already started my study in New Zealand. Will I be affected by the new changes?
In some instances, you may be assessed by the old policy if you meet the following requirements.
On 11th May 2022, you held a student visa or had applied for a student visa which was subsequently approved OR
You were granted a student visa on border exception AND
You apply for a Post Study Work Visa before 11th May 2025,You will be assessed under the 2022 transitional Post Study Work Visa policy (the previous visa rule)
How Will it Affect Partners?
The new Post-Study Work Visa rules in New Zealand may also affect student visa holders’ partners. You may be granted a partnership-based work visa of the same length as your partner’s Post Study Work Visa. This means, in some instances, the length may be shorter in the new policy. Suppose your partner is not eligible for a Post Study Work Visa due to the new rule. In that case, your partner has to have other eligible work visas, such as an Accredited Employer Work Visa, to support your partnership work visa.
Can I Work Full-time on a Post-Study Work Visa?
For those who have completed level 7 degree or level 9-10 Postgraduate programmes, you may be granted Post Study Work Visas with open work visa conditions. That means you may work for any employer in any location in New Zealand including self-employment.
If you study sub-degree level 4-7 qualification and you are entitled to get a Post Study Work Visa, your work visa condition is limited to working in a particular area in line with the INZ list.
Can I Extend My Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand?
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The short answer is No in the new policy. Under the new rules, you can be granted a Post Study Work Visa only once in a lifetime. If you wish to work in New Zealand beyond your Post Study Work Visa expires, you will need to apply for other types of work visas or resident visas.
Can I Apply for a Resident Visa While on Post-Study Work Visa?
With a tertiary qualification, the prospect of getting a meaningful job in New Zealand would be higher. If you are eligible for a resident visa, you can submit a residency application while on a Post-Study Work Visa. Residency applications may take a few years in some instances and you may need to apply for a work visa of a different type to continue to work for skilled employment while awaiting the decision of your residency application. A friendly reminder is that you will not be granted an interim visa after applying for residency.
Bottomline
A Post Study Work Visa may be the ideal way to expand your professional network and learn more about the working environment in your new country. Also, studying in New Zealand may be a shortcut to realising your dream of obtaining residency in New Zealand.
Having a New Zealand qualification does not guarantee you will land skilled employment leading to securing a resident visa. However, you will undoubtedly have a significant advantage over job prospects in New Zealand. Upon graduation, you may be able to support your partner and child’s family visa applications. At NZ Visa Partner, we provide immigration legal advice to analyse your circumstance if your planned course may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa to give you peace of mind before you commit to your study. We also provide free school referral services to decide the best course that suits your needs.
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Contact Us
To address all of your worries, we will work with you. Contact us to receive professional immigration law advice or to have us represent you. Visitors must have an appointment.