New Zealand · work unsponsored

Post-Study Work Visa

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Open work visa for international graduates of eligible New Zealand qualifications — 1 to 3 years depending on qualification level and location.

No sponsorship requiredDoes not lead to permanent residency1–3 years depending on qualification level and study location.
Processing time
Typically 3–6 weeks.
Government fees
NZD 700 (verify on INZ).
Typical duration
1–3 years depending on qualification level and study location.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
No

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Post-Study Work Visa for New Zealand is an unsponsored New Zealand immigration route. Sources: official New Zealand government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/new-zealand/post-study-work-visa#answer

What is the Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand?

Post-Study Work Visa is an unsponsored New Zealand route. Indicative government fees are NZD 700 (verify on INZ); indicative processing time is Typically 3–6 weeks; typical duration is 1–3 years depending on qualification level and study location. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on 18 April 2026.

Overview

The Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) grants graduates of eligible NZ qualifications the right to work for any employer for 1–3 years, depending on the qualification level and study location. Level 7+ qualifications (bachelor's and above) from NZ universities typically grant 3 years. The PSWV does not require a job offer — it is an open work visa. Holders commonly use it to secure skilled employment and then transition to AEWV or SMC residence.

Recent changes to this route

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Complete your NZ qualification

    Finish the eligible programme and receive your final results.

  2. Apply within 3 months

    Submit the PSWV application online within 3 months of results being available.

  3. Work for any employer

    The PSWV is an open work visa — work at any skill level for any employer while you find skilled employment.

  4. Transition to AEWV or SMC

    Secure a skilled role and transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa or apply directly for SMC residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Post-Study Work Visa, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in New Zealand. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. ApplyApplicant
    Apply for a Post Study Work Visa ↗

    Recent graduate submits the online work visa application within the permitted post-study window.

    Immigration New Zealand (INZ) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Post-Study Work Visa?+

Duration depends on your qualification level and where you studied. Level 7+ qualifications (bachelor's degree and above) at NZ universities typically qualify for 3 years. Level 4–6 qualifications may grant 1–2 years. Qualifications studied outside Auckland may qualify for additional time. Check the current INZ policy for exact durations.

Does the Post-Study Work Visa lead to residence?+

Not directly. The PSWV gives you time to find skilled employment in New Zealand. Once employed in a skilled role (ideally on the Green List or at/above the median wage), you can transition to SMC residence via the standard points-based pathway.

How soon after I finish my course do I have to apply for the Post-Study Work Visa?+

You must apply within 3 months of your final academic results being available; applying more than 3 months after results are available is a common reason applications are declined. Confirm the current deadline on the Immigration New Zealand website before you apply.

Do I need a job offer to get a New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa?+

No. The Post-Study Work Visa is an open work visa, so it does not require a job offer — you can work for any employer at any skill level while you look for skilled employment. Check the current rules on the Immigration New Zealand website.

How much does the Post-Study Work Visa cost and how long does it take to process?+

The indicative government fee is NZD 700, and processing typically takes around 3 to 6 weeks. Verify the current fee and processing times on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in New Zealand

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ)

Last checked: 18 April 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology