Post-Study Work Visa eligibility extended from 16 November 2026

We are extending Post-Study Work Visa eligibility to better align graduate pathways with New Zealand's skills needs.

From Monday 16 November 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), and
• hold a bachelor's degree, completed in New Zealand or overseas (with no time limit on when it was awarded).

Postgraduate Diploma and Master's programmes

Applicants who complete an eligible Postgraduate Diploma (Level 8), may be eligible for a 1-year Post-Study Work Visa. Applicants who complete an eligible Master's degree (Level 9), may be eligible for a 3-year Post-Study Work Visa.

To be eligible, you must complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in the qualification your visa is based on. For a Master's degree, you must complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study while enrolled in the Master's programme itself.

If you complete a Postgraduate Diploma and then move directly into a Master's degree using credits transferred from your diploma, you may still be eligible for a 1-year Post-Study Work Visa based on your Postgraduate Diploma.

A Master's degree is assessed separately, and transferred credits, cross-crediting, or recognition of prior learning does not count for Post-Study Work Visa purposes.

Evidence and conditions

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 1 year.

An individual can only be granted 1 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.

Graduate diploma holders

People who hold a graduate diploma may be granted a visa with open work conditions, if they also hold a bachelor's degree.

If the graduate diploma holder does not also hold a bachelor's degree but their graduate diploma on the List of qualifications eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, they may still be granted a Post-Study Work Visa. However, they will be required to work in the occupation specified on the List of qualifications eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, for the duration of their Post-Study Work Visa.

If the graduate diploma holder does not also hold a bachelor's degree and their graduate diploma is not on the List of qualifications eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, they are not eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa. Instead, they can apply for the 6-month Short-Term Graduate Work Visa.

Qualifications needed for a Post-Study Work Visa

Apply Online

From 16 November 2026, international students can apply for the PSWV through enhanced Immigration Online.

Use the 'Login' button on the top right of our website.

Enhanced Immigration Online

Using enhanced Immigration Online (ADEPT) makes it easier to track your application, provides a more streamlined application experience, and reflects the latest visa requirements.

More information

For more information, check our Post-Study Work Visa pages.

Post-Study Work Visa

Qualifications needed for a Post-Study Work Visa