New Zealand is set to introduce a new six-month work visa for eligible international graduates from November 16, 2026, giving them time to find employment and explore longer-term work opportunities.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced on September 10 that the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa will provide open work rights to graduates who do not qualify for the existing Post-Study Work Visa.
The new visa will be available to graduates who have completed an eligible New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) Level 5, 6 or 7 qualification. The course must have been studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks and must not already qualify the graduate for a Post-Study Work Visa, as reported by the Indian Express.
English-language, foundation and bridging qualifications will not be eligible. Applicants must also have at least NZD $5,000 in available funds and meet health and character requirements.
The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa will allow eligible graduates to work for any employer, subject to their visa conditions. They will not need a job offer before applying, the Indian Express has reported.
The visa will be valid for a maximum of six months, can only be granted once and cannot be extended.
According to the Indian Express, applicants must submit their application within three months of their New Zealand student visa expiring. The route is designed to give graduates a short period to secure employment and, where eligible, move to another work visa, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Alongside the new visa, New Zealand is also expanding eligibility for its existing Post-Study Work Visa.
From November 16, graduates who complete an eligible NZQCF Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand will be able to qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa if they also hold a bachelor’s degree. The degree can have been completed either in New Zealand or overseas, as reported by Indian Express.
Students must complete the Graduate Diploma full-time in New Zealand for its entire duration. Cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning will not count towards the qualification for visa purposes.
Eligible graduates will be able to receive a Post-Study Work Visa for the duration of their study, up to a maximum of one year. They will need to provide evidence of their bachelor’s degree and an official academic transcript, the Indian Express has reported.
An International Qualification Assessment will not be required for an overseas bachelor’s degree, although INZ may verify the qualification.
Existing provisions for postgraduate qualifications will remain. Eligible Level 8 Postgraduate Diploma graduates may qualify for a one-year Post-Study Work Visa, while eligible Master’s graduates may qualify for up to three years, subject to the relevant study requirements, as reported by the Indian Express.
The new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa differs from the Post-Study Work Visa mainly in its duration. While the new route provides six months of open work rights, the Post-Study Work Visa can offer significantly longer work rights depending on the qualification.
Applicants for the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa must:
International students applying from November 16 will also be able to submit Post-Study Work Visa applications through New Zealand’s upgraded Immigration Online system, known as ADEPT.