New Zealand Adds a 6-Month Short-Term Graduate Work Visa from November 16; Graduate Diploma Holders with a Bachelor’s Can Get a Post-Study Work Visa
Immigration New Zealand announced that from November 16, 2026, international graduates of Level 5–7 qualifications that do not lead to a Post-Study Work Visa can apply for a 6-month open Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, and Level 7 graduate diploma holders who also have a bachelor’s degree can get a Post-Study Work Visa of up to 1 year. Master’s graduates can still get 3 years.
On September 10, 2026, Immigration New Zealand announced two changes to post-study work visas, both taking effect on Monday, November 16, 2026, with applications made online.
New: Short-Term Graduate Work Visa (6 months)
- Who: International students who studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks for an NZQCF Level 5 to 7 qualification that does not make them eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa; English language, foundation and bridging qualifications do not count.
- What: 6 months of open work rights to look for work and, where appropriate, move to an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
- Conditions: At least NZD 5,000 for living costs; a medical certificate and chest X-ray depending on length of stay; no previous Short-Term Graduate Work Visa or Post-Study Work Visa.
- Timing: Apply within 3 months of your student visa expiring; anyone whose student visa expired before August 16, 2026 will be too late when applications open on November 16.
- Limits: One per person, with no extension; work must be for an employer, not your own business; holders cannot support a partner's work visa or a child's dependent student visa, though visitor visas may be possible.
Expanded: Post-Study Work Visa
- Newly eligible: Graduates who completed a Level 7 graduate diploma studied full-time in New Zealand for its full duration (no cross-crediting) and who hold a bachelor's degree (from New Zealand or overseas, awarded at any time). The visa lasts as long as the diploma study in New Zealand, up to 1 year, with open work rights.
- Graduate diploma holders without a bachelor's degree: if the diploma is on the List of qualifications eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, they may get one but must work in the listed occupation; otherwise they can only apply for the 6-month short-term visa.
- Postgraduate diplomas and master's: An eligible Level 8 Postgraduate Diploma may lead to a 1-year visa and a Level 9 master's to 3 years, provided you complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in that qualification; credits transferred into a master's do not count.
- Each person can only ever hold one Post-Study Work Visa, even after further study at a higher level.
Working while studying: 25 hours a week
Since November 3, 2025, eligible student visa holders can work up to 25 hours a week during term, up from 20; those whose visas still show 20 hours must apply for a variation of conditions to work the extra 5 hours.
Advice for students and families
- If you want to work in New Zealand after graduating, check whether your qualification leads to a Post-Study Work Visa before enrolling: a master's gives 3 years, while Level 5–7 qualifications that do not qualify lead only to the 6-month short-term visa.
- Students with a bachelor's degree from home who plan a Level 7 graduate diploma in New Zealand can get a post-study work visa of up to 1 year if they finish after November 16.
- You only get one post-study work visa, so plan which qualification to use it on.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand, New Short-Term Graduate Work Visa; Post-Study Work Visa eligibility extended; Changes to student visa work rights. Check the official sources for the latest policy.