New Zealand will introduce a new six-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa and expand eligibility for its Post Study Work Visa from November 16, 2026, giving more international students a pathway to stay and work after graduation.
The changes, announced by Immigration New Zealand, are aimed at supporting international education and helping graduates move into jobs that meet the country's skills needs.
New Short term visa option
A new Short-term Graduate Work Visa will be available to eligible international graduates who complete studies in New Zealand but do not qualify for a Post Study Work Visa.
The visa will provide six months of open work rights, allowing graduates to look for jobs and potentially transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
To qualify, applicants must complete a Level 5 to Level 7 qualification studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks, have at least NZD 5,000 to support themselves, and apply within three months of their student visa expiring.
People who have previously held a Post Study Work Visa or a Short-term Graduate Work Visa will not be eligible.
Key limits
Visa holders can work for employers but cannot own a business. They also cannot sponsor partners for work visas or children for dependent student visas.
The visa cannot be extended and can only be granted once.
Post study work visa eligibility extending
From November 16, 2026, graduates who complete a Level 7 graduate diploma in New Zealand and hold a bachelor's degree from New Zealand or overseas will become eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.
Applicants must have studied the graduate diploma full-time for its entire duration and provide proof of their bachelor's degree and academic transcripts.
Visa duration
The Post Study Work Visa will be granted for the period spent studying the graduate diploma in New Zealand, up to a maximum of one year.
As under current rules, an individual can receive only one Post Study Work Visa.
For diploma holders
Graduate diploma holders without a bachelor's degree may still qualify for a Post Study Work Visa if their qualification appears on New Zealand's Green List. In such cases, they must work in the occupation linked to that qualification.
Those without a bachelor's degree whose qualification is not on the Green List will instead be able to apply for the new six-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa.
Immigration New Zealand said the changes are intended to attract and retain international graduates with valuable skills while creating clearer pathways from study to employment in the country.
