New Zealand expands post-study work opportunities for international students
- In late 2026, a new short-term visa class will launch and the Post Study Work Visa will be available to those with graduate diplomas
- New Zealand is steadily making progress on its International Education Going for Growth strategy launched in July 2025
Update for 29 May 2026: New Zealand Immigration has confirmed that the provisions described below – the new Short Term Graduate Work Visa and the extended eligibility for the Post Study Work Visa – will be available from 16 November 2026.
In late 2026, New Zealand is rolling out a new Short Term Graduate Work Visa and extending eligibility for the Post Study Work Visa. No set date for the launch of these new visa provisions has been established.
New Zealand's international education strategy favours managed growth over the next few years. The plan is to grow student enrolments from 83,400 in 2024 to 105,000 in 2027 and 119,000 by 2034. Between January and August of 2025, New Zealand institutions hosted 85,535 international students (+14% over the same period in 2024). This number was already higher than the full-year total in 2024, and all sub-sectors experienced growth.
Generous work rights are part of New Zealand's strategy to increase its attractiveness to international students.
New work visa: The Short Term Graduate Work Visa
The Short Term Graduate Work Visa is for students who are not eligible for the Post Study Work Visa. It will provide 6 months of open work rights, “allowing time to look for work and, where appropriate, transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa.”
To be eligible, applicants must hold a qualification at NZQCF at level 5–7 (i.e., certificate/diploma to bachelor’s degree) that was studied full time for at least 24 weeks in New Zealand and that does not make them eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. That qualification cannot have been an English language, foundation, or bridging qualification.
Short Term Graduate Work Visa holders will not be able to support family for a work or dependent child student visa. However, says New Zealand Immigration:
"They can check if they are able to support them for a visitor visa instead. Dependent children can also apply for a student visa as international students, and partners can apply for work visas on their own merit."
For more on the visa and eligibility requirements, please visit this New Zealand Immigration webpage.
Extended eligibility: Post Study Work Visa
The Post Study Work Visa allows holders to work in New Zealand for up to three years, depending on their qualification. Currently, it is eligible to students who have graduated with an NZQCF Level 7 bachelor’s degree taken full-time at a New Zealand institution but not to those who have earned a Level 7 NZQCF graduate diploma. This will change in late 2026.
Along with other eligibility requirements, applicants with the NZQCF graduate diploma will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in New Zealand or elsewhere to be eligible for the Post Study Work Visa.
Post Study Work Visa holders are permitted to support partners and dependent children for visitor, work, or dependent child student visas, as long as requirements are met.
Education exports are growing
The "International Education Going for Growth" strategy aims to double the economic impact of the international education in New Zealand over the next decade from NZD$3.6 billion in 2024 to NZD$7.2 billion by 2034.
Stats NZ data show that education-related travel exports reached NZD$4.5 billion in 2025 (up to September).
For additional background, please see:
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