New Zealand announces new work visa route for international students

New Zealand will launch a six-month work visa for international graduates starting November 16, 2026, according to Immigration New Zealand (INZ). This Short-Term Graduate Work Visa will offer open work rights to eligible graduates who didn't qualify for the current Post-Study Work Visa. To be eligible, graduates must hold a full-time New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) Level 5, 6, or 7 qualification studied for at least 24 weeks.

English-language, foundation, and bridging qualifications will not be accepted. Applicants need to have NZD 5,000 in savings and meet health and character requirements. The visa allows graduates to work for any employer without a job offer and is valid for up to six months, non-extendable, and grantable only once. Applicants must apply within three months of their student visa expiry.

The new visa aims to help graduates find employment and potentially transition to another work visa. Additionally, New Zealand is broadening eligibility for the existing Post-Study Work Visa. Graduates completing a Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand can now qualify for the Post-Study Work Visa if they also hold a bachelor's degree, regardless of whether it was earned in New Zealand or overseas.

Eligible graduates can receive a Post-Study Work Visa for up to a year, with evidence of their bachelor's degree and official academic transcript required. The new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa differs from the Post-Study Work Visa, as the latter offers longer work rights based on the qualification. International students can apply for both the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and the Post-Study Work Visa through New Zealand's ADEPT system starting November 16.