Post Study Work Visa New Zealand: Requirements, Duration & How to Apply

You finish your degree in New Zealand and you want to stay and work. That's what the Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) is for — but the rules are strict, the deadlines are unforgiving, and the duration you get depends almost entirely on what you studied and at what level. Getting this wrong isn't just inconvenient; it can mean losing your right to work in New Zealand entirely.

Here's exactly how it works in 2026.

Who Qualifies for the Post Study Work Visa

The basic requirement is straightforward: you must have completed a qualification at a New Zealand institution while on a student visa, and you must apply within 3 months of your student visa expiring. For PhD graduates, that window extends to 6 months.

Missing that 3-month deadline generally forfeits your post-study work rights entirely. Immigration New Zealand offers no grace period.

You also need at least NZD 5,000 in accessible funds to show you can support yourself while you search for work.

One critical restriction: the PSWV is a once-in-a-lifetime visa. If you've held one before — even for a shorter duration from a lower-level qualification — you cannot apply again, even if you've gone back and completed a higher degree.

How Long the PSWV Lasts

Duration is determined almost entirely by the level of your completed qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF):

Level 7 (Bachelor's degree) and above — 3 years open work visa, provided you completed at least 30 weeks of full-time study physically in New Zealand. This applies to Level 7 Bachelor's degrees, Level 8 Postgraduate Diplomas and Honours degrees, Level 9 Master's degrees, and Level 10 Doctoral degrees.

Level 4 to 6 (Certificates and Diplomas) — 1 year, and this visa is restricted. You must work in a role directly related to your field of study, and your specific qualification must appear on INZ's official eligibility list.

The historical regional bonus for studying outside Auckland has been abolished. Duration is now the same regardless of where in New Zealand you studied.

The Late 2026 Expansions

Two significant changes are coming into effect in late 2026.

Graduate Diplomas at Level 7 will become eligible for a PSWV from late 2026. The conditions are strict: you must have studied the diploma full-time in New Zealand for its full duration, cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning doesn't count, and you must already hold a Bachelor's degree (from anywhere in the world, obtained at any time). The PSWV duration granted under this pathway equals the time you spent studying the Graduate Diploma, up to a maximum of 1 year.

The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is a new 6-month open work visa for graduates of Level 5 to 7 qualifications who don't meet the standard PSWV criteria — provided the qualification involved at least 24 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand and excludes English language, foundation, or bridging courses. You'll need NZD 5,000 in funds. This visa cannot be extended, doesn't allow self-employment or business ownership, and cannot be used to support a partner's work visa or a child's student visa.

What the PSWV Costs and How to Apply

The standard PSWV application fee is NZD 1,670, filed online through the INZ portal.

The PSWV is an open work visa — you can work for any employer, in any job, anywhere in New Zealand. You're not tied to a specific role or location. This is crucial for your residency strategy, because the years you accumulate on a PSWV count toward the Skilled Migrant Category 6-point system, but only if you're earning at or above the median wage. Low-paying work doesn't count.

The PSWV and Your Path to Residency

The PSWV is a bridge, not a destination. Most international graduates are working toward permanent residency, and the PSWV years are where that happens.

Under the SMC 6-point system, a Master's degree (Level 9) earns you 5 points. You need 6 points total. That means just 1 year of skilled work in New Zealand gets you to the threshold, allowing you to apply for residence after roughly 2 to 3 years from when you started your Master's program. A Bachelor's degree (Level 7) earns 3 points, requiring 3 years of skilled work.

If your field is on the Green List, the calculus is even more favorable. Tier 1 roles — including Registered Nurses, Software Engineers, Civil Engineers, and Secondary School Teachers with experience — allow you to apply for residency directly after securing employment, potentially bypassing the 3-year PSWV window altogether.

The 3-year PSWV is designed to give you enough runway to reach the 6-point SMC threshold. If your PSWV expires before you've accumulated enough points and years, you'll need to transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa — which binds you to a specific employer and introduces new restrictions.

The Mistakes That End the Pathway

Missing the 3-month application deadline. There is no appeal process for this. Set a calendar reminder the day you graduate.

Taking below-median-wage work. Work experience only counts toward SMC points if you're earning at or above the designated median wage for the period. A struggling student taking any job to stay in the country can inadvertently waste 12 months of their PSWV.

Applying for a second PSWV. If you've already held one, you cannot get another. If you're planning to study again after a PSWV, understand that a second qualification does not grant a second visa.

Studying the wrong level. Students who complete a Level 5 or 6 diploma without Green List alignment end up with a 1-year restricted PSWV, struggle to find employer sponsorship for an AEWV, and often can't reach 6 SMC points before their visa situation becomes precarious.

The NZ Student Visa + Post-Study Work Guide at /nz/student-post-study/ maps out the full PSWV timeline alongside the SMC point calculations, so you can see exactly what your qualification earns you and what still needs to happen before you can apply for residency.

Timeline Summary

The most efficient route to New Zealand residency for most students is a Level 9 Master's in a field that maps to the local labor market. One year of post-graduation work at the median wage, and you've done it. The guide walks through how to choose a program that makes that a realistic outcome.

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