Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced a new Short Term Graduate Work Visa and an extension of Post Study Work Visa eligibility to Graduate Diplomas at NZQCF level 7. The graduate must also hold a bachelor’s degree (completed in New Zealand or overseas).
New Short Term Graduate Work Visa
Eligible international graduates who completed study in New Zealand will be able to apply for the new Short Term Graduate Work Visa from late 2026.
This visa provides up to six 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 have:
- at least NZD 5000 available to support themselves;
- not previously been granted a Short Term Graduate Work Visa or Post Study Work Visa;
- written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Education New Zealand, if their study was supported under the New Zealand Scholarship Program;
- a valid medical certificate and chest X-ray, dependent on their intended length of stay in New Zealand.
They must also hold a qualification at NZQCF level 5 to 7 that:
- was studied full‑time for at least 24 weeks in New Zealand
- is not an English language, foundation, or bridging qualification
- does not make them eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.
Applications must be submitted within three months of their New Zealand student visa expiring.
Short Term Graduate Work Visa holders must work for an employer under an employment agreement or contract for services. Business ownership is not allowed.
Short Term Graduate Work Visa holders cannot support a partner for a work visa or children for a Dependent Child Student Visa. However, 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.
Short Term Graduate Work Visa holders cannot apply for a second Short Term Graduate Work Visa or extend their first one.
Someone who holds, or has held, a Short Term Graduate Work Visa will not be granted a subsequent student visa unless their proposed study is a:
- bachelor’s degree or a program of study at a higher NZQCF level than the level of the qualification or qualifications that their Short Term Graduate Work Visa was based on, and
- qualification that makes them eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.
Student visa holders who previously held a Short Term Graduate Work Visa cannot change their program of study or education provider unless they meet the above requirements.
Extension of eligibility for Post Study Work Visa
From late 2026, eligibility for a Post Study Work Visa will be extended to graduates who:
- have completed a Graduate Diploma at NZQCF level 7
- studied full‑time in New Zealand for the full duration of the qualification
- have been enrolled in that qualification for the full duration (cross crediting or recognition of prior learning is not eligible)
- hold a bachelor’s degree, completed in New Zealand or overseas (with no time limit on when it was awarded).
Along with evidence of the Graduate Diploma, applicants will need to provide:
- a copy of their bachelor’s degree certificate (showing qualification type and awarding institution); and
- an official academic transcript.
An International Qualification Assessment is not required for overseas bachelor’s degrees, but we can check qualification authenticity for immigration purposes.
The Post Study Work Visa can be issued for the duration the student spent studying the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand, up to a maximum of one year.
An individual can only be granted one Post Study Work Visa. Anyone who has held a Post Study Work Visa in the past is not eligible for another, even if the study is at the same or higher level.
People with a Post Study Work Visa are able to support partners and dependent children for visitor, work, or dependent child student visas, as long as requirements are met.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.