New Zealand — INZ New and updated post-study work visa options

Citation

Immigration New Zealand. “New and updated post-study work visa options.” Published 2026-05-29; first published 2026-03-12. Accessed 2026-07-17. Original announcement.

Authority and scope

Immigration New Zealand is the government visa authority. This announcement describes a future Short-term Graduate Work Visa and an extension of Post Study Work Visa eligibility scheduled for 2026-11-16.

Original summary

INZ says eligible graduates will be able to apply for a new six-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa from 2026-11-16. The announcement describes open work rights, an application deadline within three months after the student visa expires, eligible New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework Level 5–7 study, at least 24 weeks of full-time New Zealand study, a NZD$5,000 support requirement, health evidence where applicable, and restrictions based on prior graduate-work visas.

From the same date, Post Study Work Visa eligibility is scheduled to extend to holders of a New Zealand Level 7 graduate diploma who also hold a bachelor’s degree and meet full-duration New Zealand study and enrolment requirements. The announcement says this visa may be issued for the duration of graduate-diploma study in New Zealand, up to one year, and describes different work conditions where the graduate diploma is listed in Appendix 13.

Consequential claims supported

• Claim: INZ announced a six-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa scheduled to open on 2026-11-16 for defined Level 5–7 graduates who are not eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.
  • Jurisdiction: New Zealand
  • Applicable date: Scheduled from 2026-11-16
  • Accessed: 2026-07-17
  • Limitations: The option was not yet effective on the access date, and INZ stated that further details would be published closer to launch.
• Claim: INZ announced an extension of Post Study Work Visa eligibility from 2026-11-16 to certain Level 7 graduate-diploma holders who also hold a bachelor’s degree.
  • Jurisdiction: New Zealand
  • Applicable date: Scheduled from 2026-11-16
  • Accessed: 2026-07-17
  • Limitations: Full-duration enrolment and study, evidence, prior-visa, qualification, and work-condition rules apply; current instructions must be checked after commencement.

Limitations

This is a forward-looking policy announcement, not proof that the announced categories are presently available. Further details were promised closer to launch, and implementation could be amended. The record does not reproduce all qualification, health, family, scholarship, employment-contract, Appendix 13, or transition rules. Applicants must check the live visa pages and immigration instructions on or after the scheduled commencement date.

Rights and preservation note

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