The Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) lets international graduates stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying. How long you can stay, and whether you can work for any employer, depends on the level of qualification you completed and how long you studied for it.
What Is the Post Study Work Visa (PSWV)?
The PSWV is an open or partially-open work visa for people who recently finished an approved qualification in New Zealand. It is not automatic. You need to apply, pay a fee, and meet a set of health, character, and funding requirements. You can only be granted this visa once in your lifetime, so it is worth understanding the rules before you apply, not after.
Who Is Eligible
To apply, you generally need to have recently completed an approved New Zealand qualification, have at least NZD $5,000 to cover your living expenses (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz), and apply within a set window after your student visa expires. Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying.
Qualification Level Requirements
Your qualification level decides both your work rights and how long you get on the visa.
- Degree level 7 or higher (Bachelor's, Level 8 Postgraduate Diploma, Level 9 Master's, or Level 10 Doctorate) — you can work for any employer, in any job, anywhere in New Zealand.
- Non-degree level 7 or lower — you must be on the official list of qualifications eligible for a PSWV, and the job you take must relate to what you studied.
For a degree level 7 or higher qualification, you must have studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying. For non-degree qualifications, you need to have studied full-time for the full duration required to complete that qualification.
Study Duration and Provider Rules
The qualification has to be genuinely completed, not just started. Immigration New Zealand checks your study record against what was listed on your student visa, so switching courses partway through can affect eligibility. If you did not finish the qualification recorded on your student visa, your PSWV application may not be approved.
Age and Other Conditions
There is no fixed maximum age listed for the PSWV itself, but you must meet standard visa conditions: be in good health, have good character (which can mean police certificates if you have spent 24 months or more in New Zealand), and have a genuine reason for wanting to stay and work.
How Long Can You Work on This Visa
The visa can be granted for up to 3 years, but for most applicants the length matches how long you studied full-time in New Zealand (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying. A one-year diploma will not automatically get you three years on a PSWV. If you studied a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate at level 7 or above, you generally qualify for the fullest work rights, since these let you work for any employer in any role.
How Much Does It Cost
The application fee is NZD $1,670, including the immigration levy (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying. On top of the visa fee, budget for medical checks or police certificates if these are requested, plus the NZD $5,000 you need to show as living funds. That $5,000 is not a fee you pay to INZ; it is proof of funds you must hold in your own bank account.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Finish your qualification. You cannot apply until you have successfully completed the New Zealand qualification listed on your student visa.
- Check your application window. You must apply no later than 3 months after your student visa expires. Doctoral graduates get 6 months, and there are extended windows for some combined qualification pathways (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying.
- Gather your documents. This includes your passport, an acceptable photo, proof of your qualification (certificate, transcript, or a letter from your provider), and police certificates if required.
- Submit your application and pay the fee, either online or on paper.
- Wait for a decision and respond quickly if INZ asks for a medical exam or additional documents.
Documents You'll Need
- Passport or certificate of identity, valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure
- Proof of your completed qualification
- Bank statements showing at least NZD $5,000
- Police certificates, if you are 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more
Processing Time
Immigration New Zealand currently processes 80% of Post Study Work Visa applications within 3.5 weeks (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying. Applications with missing documents or that need medical checks usually take longer, so it helps to have everything ready before you submit.
Can You Extend or Renew the Post Study Work Visa
No. You can only be granted a Post Study Work Visa once (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying. There is no renewal or extension process for a second PSWV, even if your first one expires and you complete another qualification. Once your PSWV is close to ending, your realistic options are to move onto an Accredited Employer Work Visa if you have a job offer, or to explore a residence pathway if you qualify.
Recent Rule Changes You Should Know
New Zealand is updating its graduate work settings. From 16 November 2026, PSWV eligibility will extend to graduates who complete an NZQCF Level 7 Graduate Diploma studied full-time in New Zealand, as long as they also hold a Bachelor's degree completed in New Zealand or overseas (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying.
At the same time, INZ is launching a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, opening for applications from 16 November 2026. It gives up to 6 months of open work rights to graduates with a Level 5 to 7 qualification who do not qualify for a PSWV, intended to give them time to find work and, where suitable, move onto an Accredited Employer Work Visa (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying. If you are choosing a course now with the goal of working in New Zealand afterward, it is worth checking which of these two visas your intended qualification will actually fall under.
What Happens After Your Post Study Work Visa Ends
Pathway to Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Most PSWV holders who want to keep working in New Zealand move onto an Accredited Employer Work Visa, which requires a job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand. Start looking early. Employer accreditation and job checks take time, and you do not want to be scrambling in the final weeks of your PSWV.
Pathway to Residence
A Post Study Work Visa can lead to a resident visa (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz), most commonly through the Skilled Migrant Category once you have enough relevant work experience and points. Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying. Residence requirements are detailed and depend on your occupation, salary, and work history, so this is an area where individual circumstances matter a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a Post Study Work Visa twice?
No. It is a one-time visa. If you complete a second qualification, you will need a different visa pathway, such as an Accredited Employer Work Visa or a student visa for further study.
Is there an age limit for the Post Study Work Visa?
Immigration New Zealand does not publish a fixed age cap for the PSWV itself. General visa requirements around health and character still apply. [VERIFY] if you have a specific age-related concern, check directly with Immigration New Zealand.
What is the difference between PSWV levels 7, 8, and 9?
Level 7 covers Bachelor's degrees (and, from November 2026, some Graduate Diplomas combined with a Bachelor's). Level 8 is a Postgraduate Diploma, and Level 9 is a Master's degree. All three, when studied full-time for the required duration in New Zealand, qualify you for open work rights with any employer.
Can I bring my family on a Post Study Work Visa?
Yes. Your partner can apply for a work visa, and your dependent children can apply for student visas to study in New Zealand (Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz). Requirements and processing times can change — always confirm with Immigration New Zealand before applying.
What if my qualification is not on the eligible list?
If you completed a non-degree qualification at level 7 or lower, it must appear on Immigration New Zealand's official list of PSWV-eligible qualifications, and your future job must relate to what you studied. If your course is not on the list, a PSWV may not be an option, so it is worth checking before you enrol.
Not sure which visa pathway fits your situation? Brigenai's AI Advisor can walk through your qualification level, study duration, and timeline with you in plain language, and connect you with real graduates who have been through the PSWV process in New Zealand. Start a conversation with brigenai to check where you stand.
