New Zealand introduces 6-month short-term graduate work visa

New Zealand has announced a new six-month short-term graduate work visa, granting foreign students open work rights after graduation.

This forms part of its reforms to its post-study work system aimed at better aligning immigration settings with labour market needs.

The government noted that the visa is intended to provide graduates with a temporary pathway into employment, in a statement published on the New Zealand Immigration website.

Hence from November  16, 2026, eligible international students who complete certain qualifications in New Zealand will be able to apply for it.

According to Immigration New Zealand, the visa will “give graduates time to find employment and transition into longer-term options such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa.”

To qualify, applicants must complete an eligible qualification at New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) Levels 5 to 7 after at least 24 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand. They must also demonstrate that they have at least NZD 5,000 in available funds, meet health requirements, and submit their application within three months of their student visa expiring.

The visa will be available only once and cannot be extended, and will not be granted to applicants who have previously held a post study work visa (PSWV). Holders will also be prohibited from operating a business or supporting family members’ visa applications.

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New visa for unqualified graduates

The new pathway is specifically aimed at graduates who do not qualify for a post study work visa. According to the policy, it is designed to ensure such graduates “still have a short window to gain work experience and seek employment” after completing their studies.

Alongside the introduction of the new visa, New Zealand is also expanding eligibility for its Post Study Work Visa programme.

From the same date, graduates who complete a Level 7 graduate diploma in New Zealand will be eligible for a PSWV if they also hold a bachelor’s degree obtained either in New Zealand or overseas.

Under the revised rules, the duration of the PSWV will generally correspond to the length of time spent studying the graduate diploma in New Zealand, up to a maximum of one year. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of both qualifications, including academic transcripts and certificates.

Immigration officials also confirmed that “people who have already held a PSWV will not be able to receive another one,” reinforcing the one-time nature of the programme.

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Some graduate diploma holders who do not possess a bachelor’s degree may still qualify for a PSWV if their qualification appears on specified immigration schedules and they are employed in a designated occupation. Those who do not meet these requirements will instead be eligible for the new six-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa.

The government said the reforms are intended to preserve the integrity of New Zealand’s international education sector while ensuring that post-study work rights are more closely linked to skills shortages and economic demand.

Overall, the changes create a more structured framework for international graduates, providing a short-term employment bridge for some while expanding post-study opportunities for those with higher qualifications and skills in demand.