Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced the introduction of a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa.
Eligible international graduates who have completed study or are currently studying in New Zealand will be able to apply for the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa beginning Monday, November 16, 2026.
This visa provides six months of open work rights, allowing time to look for work and, where appropriate, transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Applications must be submitted within three months of the applicant’s New Zealand student visa expiring.
Eligibility and conditions
To be eligible, applicants must:
- 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
- have at least NZD 5,000 available to support themselves
- have a valid medical certificate and chest X-ray, dependent on their intended length of stay in New Zealand
- not have previously been granted a Short‑Term Graduate Work Visa or Post-Study Work Visa
- have 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.
Any work undertaken on a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa must be 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.
An individual can only be granted one Short-Term Graduate Work Visa
Short-Term Graduate Work Visa holders cannot apply for a second Short-Term Graduate Work Visa or extend their first.
Someone who holds, or has held, a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa can apply for another student visa if their proposed study is:
- a bachelor’s degree or a program of study at a higher NZQCF level than the qualification on which their Short-Term Graduate Work Visa was based, and
- a 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 continue to meet the above requirements.
How to apply
From November 16, 2026, international students can apply for the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa through Enhanced Immigration Online (ADEPT).
International students must apply within three months of their student visa expiring. For example, if a student visa expires before August 16, 2026, the visa holder will not be eligible to apply for a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa when applications open on November 16, 2026.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news becomes 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.